Brass is an alloy made of copper & zinc. It is the most widely used alloy known for its aesthetic attributes and bright gold appearance. Brass exhibits durability, great corrosion resistance, and good electrical and thermal conductivity.Brass sheets & brass plates are more malleable as compared to bronze and are easier to cut, machine, and fabricate, which makes them a useful material in the manufacturing, electrical, construction & plumbing industries.
What is Brass made of?
As far as it is known, Brass was discovered accidentally when workers in ancient Asia found a crude form of Brass from zinc-enriched copper ores. About 2,000 years ago, the Greeks & Romans began melting calamine ore, which contained copper & zinc, causing the dispersion of zinc ions throughout the copper.Over time, a number of key processes have been formulated for the making of Brass, with the addition of metals, including aluminum, lead, and arsenic. All these metals are blended to create alloys with varied properties - which Brass is an example of!
What are the Major Applications of Brass?
Because of its versatility, Brass has found its way into numerous ranges of applications that include:
- Ammunition casings
Low-friction, spark-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and non-magnetic - Brass can be easily into thin sheets & later formed into cartridge shells. Moreover, it's easy to recycle for ammo reloading, which adds to the use of Brass.
- Marine hardware
Owing to its hardness and great corrosion resistance – even in salt water – Brass was widely used as sheathing on the hulls of naval ships made of wood, for different navigational tools, and later as key components in marine engines and pumps. The naval Brass contains copper, tin, and zinc and is a preferable alloy widely used in the marine sector for shipbuilding, cargo parts, and alike.
- Electronic components
For electrical panel board switches & relays, PCB plug pins, sockets & terminal blocks, the malleable and non-magnetic properties of Brass, plus the fact that it is reasonably priced as compared to gold and silver, makes it a great choice of material.
- Radiator cores, tubes, and tanks
Copper-brass radiators for trucks & cars cost less than those aluminum radiators. They are easy to manufacture, last longer, and are quite easier to recycle, which makes them an energy-efficient material. They are known to have a lower air-side pressure drop than aluminum radiators.
- Musical instruments
The workability, durability, resistance to corrosion, and acoustic properties of Brass make it a great and economical choice for a range of musical instruments, such as trumpets, trombones, and tubas, to cymbals, gongs, and bells.
- RV water pressure regulator and elbow fittings
Much stronger & tougher than plastic, brass fittings can withstand high water pressure that reduces it to a manageable level for use in RVs.
- Technical instruments
Non-magnetic Brass is widely used to make measuring instruments, including compasses, barometers, chronometers, astrolabes, clocks, and watches. While retaining its hardness & strength, things made of metal are easily worked & engraved with permanent indicators for reading the time, tide, direction, or barometric pressure.
Brass is available and used in a number of forms, including:
- Round, square, rectangle, and hex bar
- Sheet and plate
- Tubing
- Angle and channel
- Shim
- Threaded rod
- Foil
- Decorative railing & accessories
Brass metal has garnered great popularity for its aesthetics. Top wedding planners or interior decorators prefer brass-made appliances that elevate the look of the house and score high on being reasonably priced.
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