Brass Sheet Grades and Types for Engraving

[Simon Strom]

Hi Darrell,

I don’t deal with making the plaques directly. We order ours out. We usually use Gemini (US company). Anyway, I’ll just list what they use for engraving. Might have company to source from close to you. It’s possible that these alloys differ from what’s sold in your area. Maybe someone else on the boards here can answer better.

These are listed for etching:

Stainless Steel:
Alloy 304; Optional Alloy 316
1/16", 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4" Depths

Commercial Bronze: (90/10)
Alloy C22000; 90% Copper / 10% Zinc
1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" & 5/16" Depths

Naval Brass (60/39/1) Muntz (60/40)
Alloy C46400 (Muntz Equivalent);
60% Copper / 39.25% Zinc / .75% Tin
1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" & 5/16" Depths

Copper:
Alloy C11000
1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" & 5/16" Depths

[Graeme Harrold]

Half hard or engravers brass is what you need, get it wrong and you’ll end up with ragged cuts and dull cutters. Play it safe and order in from the likes of Mastergrave, Suregrave, Gravograph or Pantograph services………Once you get above 1.5mm tredle guillotine cutting gets difficult and you’ll either have to use a power shear or disc cutter.

Its rare you will need to go above 1.5mm, above suppliers will also cut to size usually free……….

[Darrell Wootton]

Hi,

Thank you both for the information, I will do a bit more research bearing in mind both your guidelines and suggestions.

Daz……

[Andrew Blackett]

Daz,

Ring Zoe at engravamet mate, they are always competitive. and as already mentioned stick to CZ120 hard tempered mate – it’ll cut and machine the best.

Top of my head but I think 1.5mm thick bright polished one side is running out at about £75 for a 4×2 sheet.

Andy