Brass Alloys

Brass Alloys

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is one of the most common metals used around the world.brass alloys Its high workability makes it ideal for many types of industrial applications, such as castings, architectural extrusions and fasteners. It also has minimal friction in settings that require metal-on-metal contact, such as electrical sockets and switches.

The main differences between brasses come down to the amount of copper and zinc present; some contain only a small percentage of zinc, while others are more than 50%.brass alloys The copper to zinc ratio can be adjusted with different alloying elements to create brasses with specific properties that suit a particular requirement, such as resistance to corrosion in marine environments ('admiralty' and 'naval' brass) or increased strength ('muntz metal').

Copper's natural ductility makes it easy to work; the addition of zinc provides strength without impairing machinability.brass alloys Alloying with tin improves resistance to dezincification, a type of corrosion that occurs when zinc dissolves and leaves a porous copper shell behind (usually identified by its splotchy reddish or pink coloring). The addition of iron makes brass more resistant to fatigue. And aluminum and manganese make brasses more machinable.

In fact, machinability in brass is so good that it is often used for the manufacture of machine tools.brass alloys It is also widely used in plumbing and other household systems, such as valves and pipe fittings. In industrial settings, brass is seen in components for sewage treatment plants, air-conditioning and steam machinery, abrasion-resistant pump cylinders, steam locomotive gears and marine engines.

There are a wide variety of brass grades available, and the selection depends on what you need the material for.brass alloys Grades include tin bronze, which is a favorite for raw water and seawater systems due to its excellent corrosion resistance. It is typically made up of 85-95% copper and 5-10% tin with the addition of phosphorous for better hardening.

Single phase brass, which is the most commonly used in commercial applications, has a low zinc content and can be cold formed and forged to good effect.brass alloys It is a great choice for knurling, which involves rolling a pattern of straight, angled or crossed lines across the surface of a part to provide a comfortable grip. It also responds well to hot working.

Lead free brass, or 'free cutting', has good machining qualities and can be cold rolled, forged, drawn and extruded. It is highly malleable and ductile and can be cut with hand, power or gas cutting equipment. It can be annealed to relieve stresses and restore ductility; a full anneal cycle is required at between 430degC and 550degC for 1/2 to 1 hour with a slow cool. Brass can be welded, but the process is not as straightforward as with other metallic materials and care must be taken to avoid porosity and cracking of the weld area. Welding should be undertaken in a properly ventilated workplace with the appropriate PPE and proper shielding gases in place. Oxyacetylene is the preferred welding fuel, as it has a lower melting point than copper and can protect the copper from overheating and dezincification.

Tags:aluminium alloys | brass bars