--- title: 5 Common Brass Grades in Faucet Manufacturing date: 2025-11-04T14:38:14Z modified: 2026-02-27T02:52:39Z permalink: "https://www.aimfaucet.com/blog/tech/brass-grades-faucets/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 1258 categories: - Tech featured_image: "https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Common-Brass-Grades-in-Faucet-Manufacturing-2.jpg" featured_image_alt: 5 Common Brass Grades in Faucet Manufacturing timestamp: 2026-02-27T02:52:39Z tags: - Tech --- You may not be aware, but a lot of faucets are made from brass. But not all brass is the same. They have grades which affect their performance – and yes, their costs too. Want to know what brass grades faucets are? Read on to find out. ## Common Brass Grades If you’re still deciding on the right material overall, you might also want to check out \[[Brass vs Stainless Steel Faucets](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/brass-vs-stainless-steel-faucets.md)\]. ### HPb59 **HPb59** is a common brass grade used in faucet manufacturing, especially in Asia. It contains approximately 59% of copper and a small amount of lead, usually up to 2.5%. This combo improves machinability. Simply put, HPb59 faucet brass makes it easier to cast and shape into faucet parts. But aside from that, this brass grade is popular in [OEM production](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/services.md) because it’s cheap yet has a reliable performance. The downside is that, because it has lead, it may not meet strict drinking water safety standards, particularly in the EU or the USA. ### CW617N / CZ122 **CW617N** (also known as CZ122) is a European standard brass alloy commonly used in high-quality faucet manufacturing. It contains about 57 to 59% copper. It also has a bit of lower lead content (around 1.6–2.5%) compared to HPb59, which makes it meet safety and compliance standards, especially in Europe. This grade offers good machinability while being suitable for drinking water systems. It’s often chosen for export faucets that must meet EN 12165 standards or similar [certifications](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/certificates.md). ### DZR Brass **DZR** stands for Dezincification Resistant brass. This brass grade is specially treated to resist a form of rust where zinc leaches out of the alloy, leaving behind a porous, weak structure. This usually happens in areas with aggressive or hard water. DZR brass maintains its strength and structure for a long time, so it’s a popular material in [commercial faucets](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/wall-mounted-basin-faucets.md) and plumbing systems. It complies with international standards like BS EN 12164/12165 and is commonly used in hot water systems where rust risk is higher. It’s slightly more expensive than standard brass, but offers better long-term durability. ### C26000 Also known as cartridge brass, **C26000** contains around 70% copper and 30% zinc. It has excellent cold working properties which makes it easy to form and bend. They’re not commonly used in faucet bodies, butthey’re often in faucet components like sleeves, washers, or decorative parts because of its smooth surface finish and high corrosion resistance. This brass grade is generally lead-free, so they’re a safer option for components that come into contact with drinking water. ### C360 **C360**, also called “free-cutting brass”, has exceptional machinability. It contains about 60% copper, 35% zinc, and up to 3% lead, which makes it great for threads, connectors, and small faucet parts. C360 performs well in manufacturing. But the higher lead content limits its use in faucets for potable water, unless it’s part of a non-contact component. Still, it’s a good choice for back-end fittings or internal connectors in markets where regulations allow. ![Product Image](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Brushed-gold-kitchen-mixer-tap-with-lever-handle-DG09350-1.webp) #### Brushed gold kitchen mixer tap with lever handle DG09350 H59 brass, quick-connect installation, ideal for hospitality & residential. OEM/ODM available. [View Product](https://www.aimfaucet.com/product/brushed-gold-kitchen-mixer-tap-with-lever-handle-dg09350/) ## Brass Grades Comparison Table Here’s a quick comparison table so you can see each brass grade’s differences: | **Brass Grade** | **Copper (%)** | **Lead (%)** | **Key Feature** | **Common Use** | **Drinking Water Safety** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **HPb59** | ~59 | Up to 2.5 | Cost-effective, easy to machine | General faucets (non-potable) | Limited | | **CW617N / CZ122** | 57–59 | 1.6–2.5 | EU-compliant, low lead | Potable water systems | Yes | | **DZR Brass** | ~60 | ≤2.5 | Corrosion-resistant in hard water | Hot water, commercial faucets | Yes | | **C26000** | ~70 | Good formability, corrosion-resistant | Washers, sleeves, trim parts | Yes | | | **C360** | ~60 | ~3 | Excellent machinability | Threads, connectors (non-contact) | No | ## Brass Grades Faucets: Wrapping Up If you’re sourcing faucets, don’t just ask if it’s brass – ask _what grade_. - HPb59 is great for low-cost markets - CW617N works when safety standards are strict - DZR is a must in areas with hard water - Grades like C26000 and C360 are used where shaping precision or fast production is key. Each choice has a clear tradeoff between cost, performance, and compliance, so choose well. To align your material choices with buyer demand, have a look at \[[Kitchen Faucet Design Trends 2025](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/kitchen-faucet-design-trends.md)\].If you need [customized brass faucets ](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/kitchen-sink-faucets.md)or you have further questions, [reach out](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/contact-us.md) to us. We’d be glad to help! [Get a Free Quote](https://www.aimfaucet.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/contact-us.md)