What is Brass?
Brass is a non-ferrous, red metal that is similar to copper. It is a metal alloy, as opposed to pure metal, with copper and zinc making up the majority of its composition. To create even more distinctive combinations of traits, additional metals are also added, including lead, tin, iron, aluminum, silicon, and manganese.
The zinc-added copper substance makes the base copper material stronger and more ductile. The alloy becomes more durable and malleable as zinc content increases. 39% of the zinc in high-strength brass is zinc. There are forms of brass that include Brass Alloy Rods, bars, sheets, tubes, and pipes.
Properties of Brass
Brass exhibits a lot of copper’s qualities because it is a copper alloy. Comparing the alloy to pure copper and other copper alloys, it does, however, show a few unique characteristics. For instance:
- Susceptibility to stress-cracking – As brass is stronger and stiffer than pure copper, it is more susceptible to developing stress cracks.
- Malleability and formability – Brass is more malleable than bronze, in comparison. It is also simple to cast or work.
- High Melting Point – Brass has a high melting point, at a temperature of around 900°C. Depending on how many distinct metals are present in the alloy, the exact melting point varies.
- Non-ferromagnetic – Brass can be processed considerably more easily for recycling because it is not ferromagnetic.
Available Brass Grades
There are numerous grades of brass that differ only in the precise composition of the material. These six brass grades are available to let us have a look:
- Alloy 260 – Alloy 260, also referred to as cartridge brass, exhibits favorable cold working characteristics. It works well in fasteners, fasteners, hardware, and ammo.
- Alloy 272 – Zinc makes up 33% of this alloy, which is also known as yellow brass. It is frequently applied in industrial and architectural settings.
- Alloy 330 – When good machinability is important, brass alloy 330 is appropriate. Pipes are frequently made from it because of its low lead content, which is sufficient for cold working.
- Alloy 353 – Due to its exceptional machinability, alloy 353 (also known as clock brass) is frequently used to create precise components, including clock and watch parts.
- Alloy 360 – The most prevalent form of brass is this alloy, also referred to as free-cutting brass. In addition to being suitable for brazing and soldering operations, it demonstrates outstanding machinability and formability. It frequently finds use in the production of hardware parts, fittings, valves, and fasteners.
- Alloy 385 – This alloy can be applied to architectural and building projects and is also known as architectural bronze. Angles, channels, square tubes, handrail molding, and other shapes are among the many extruded and drawn shapes of alloy 385 that are available.
- Alloy C48200-C48500 – Leaded brass intended for machining in ships. Rounds are frequently offered.
- Alloy 464 – The exceptional resistance to corrosion caused by seawater in a wide range of temperatures is a characteristic of alloy 464 (also known as naval brass). It also shows suitability for hot forming and hot forming, as well as drawing, bending, heading, soldering, brazing, and welding.
