Materials

The material behind a custom washer, shim, or precision part is just as important as its shape or tolerance. At Brewster Washers, we stock a wide range of metal and non-metal materials so your part can be manufactured in the grade, temper, and thickness your application requires.

Below is an overview of what we typically carry. If you don’t see the exact material or spec you need, reach out and we’ll confirm compatibility with your project.

Materials We Work With

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel resists corrosion and holds up in demanding environments, making it a common choice for medical, dental, aerospace, defense, and robotics applications.

  • 300 series grades: 301, 302, 304, 316, 321
  • 400 series grades: 410, 416, 430
  • Tempers: Annealed to Full Hard
  • Thickness range: .001″ – .095″
  • Cold Rolled 17-4 and 17-7: .002″ – .032″
  • Laminated 300 series: .020″ – .040″

Aluminum

Aluminum is roughly one-third the weight of steel, non-magnetic, and a good conductor of both electricity and heat, making it a frequent choice where weight savings matter without sacrificing conductivity.

  • Grades: 2024, 6061, 5052
  • May be anodized to increase corrosion resistance
  • Available in Sulfuric Dichromate, Black Oxide, Cadmium, and other finishes
  • Available in a variety of thicknesses

Copper Alloys

Copper and its alloys are chosen for electrical and heat conductivity and corrosion resistance.

  • Copper: Annealed to ½ Hard, also available in Beryllium Copper and Phosphor Bronze
  • Brass: ½ Hard temper; non-magnetic, good electrical/heat conductivity, can be nickel-plated; commonly used in plumbing, heating, and electronics
  • Available in a wide variety of thicknesses

CR Steel

Cold Rolled 1010 steel offers good machinability and formability and can be welded using standard techniques, making it a versatile, economical choice for washers, shims, and discs.

  • CR Steel 1010: .001″ – .080″, ½ Hard and Full Hard tempers, conforms to ASTM A109
  • Spring Steel 1095: Blue Spring Annealed, .001″ – .083″

Non-metal Materials

Non-metal materials are often specified for electrical insulation, heat resistance, or applications requiring a lightweight, non-conductive part.

  • Delrin (thermoplastic)
  • Fibre (Black & Red)
  • Fish Paper
  • Natural HDPE
  • Kapton TKH-500 Film
  • Mylar: electrical insulator, dimensionally stable, an alternative to Kapton
  • Neoflon PCFE M-400H
  • Nylatron: anti-frictional, heat resistant to 400°F, stronger than nylon (not recommended as an electrical insulator)
  • Nylon Zytel: lightweight, friction resistant, heat resistant to 400°F, good insulator
  • Polyester
  • Rulon
  • PTFE
  • Available in thicknesses from .0005″ to .030″, each in its own color for accurate thickness identification

Nickel

Nickel offers a high melting point and strong resistance to corrosion and oxidation, making it a common choice for electronic and industrial applications exposed to heat or harsh conditions.

  • Electronic Grade Nickel: 201 CR Annealed, 201 CR Bright
  • Thicknesses: .015″, .020″, .025″
  • Tensile strength: approximately 58,000 – 64,800 PSI, depending on thickness and grade

Don't see your material? Contact us to discuss your requirements

The Brewster Process

Send Your Blueprint

Your blueprint is our catalog, so first, email us the blueprint for your part. If any pre-process approvals require signatures (NDAs, for example), we’ll get them right back to you.

Receive a Fast Quote

We turn around quotes within 24-48 hours, so your project can stay on track. We promise transparent pricing, no tooling fees, and clear production timelines.

Start Production

As soon as you approve the quote, your project is placed on our production schedule and manufactured to your exact specifications. We hit the deadlines we set, and you can expect clear communication from Brewster throughout the production process.

Traceability and Certifications You Can Rely On

107 Years in Business
AS9100D
ISO 9001
ITAR Registered
Woman-Owned
Made in USA

Have a Material or Spec in Mind? Let's Talk

From stainless steel to specialty alloys, we stock the materials and hold the certifications your application requires. If your project calls for something outside our standard list, we’ll work with you to confirm compatibility.