Information AboutBrass |
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| copper alloys | |
| zinc alloys | |
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Brass is the term used for Alloy s of Copper and Zinc in a Solid Solution . Typically it is more than 50% copper and from 5 to 20% zinc''Brasses and other Copper-Zinc Alloys'', Copper Development Association, London, England. Publication No.6, , in comparison to Bronze which is principally an alloy of copper and Tin .''Machinery Handbook'', Industrial Press Inc, New York, Edition 24, page 501. Despite this distinction, some types of brasses are called Bronze s. Brass has a yellow colour, somewhat similar to Gold . It is relatively resistant to Tarnish ing, and is often used as decoration. Brass has been known to man since prehistoric times, long before zinc itself was discovered. It was produced by melting copper together with Calamine , a zinc ore. During this process, the zinc is extracted from the calamine and instantly mixes with the copper. Pure zinc, on the other hand, is too reactive to be produced by ancient metalworking techniques. PROPERTIES The malleability and acoustic properties of brass have made it the metal of choice for Brass Musical Instrument s such as the Trumpet and Tuba . In organ pipes designed as "reed" pipes, brass strips are used as the "reed". It has higher malleability than copper or zinc. In some environments, brasses with higher content of zinc are prone to a Selective Leaching corrosion known as dezincification. In some territories, plumbing fittings designed to resist dezincification are embossed "CR" (corrosion resistant). A dezincified fitting has the pink appearance of pure copper and will easily crumble, being reduced to a weak sponge-like matrix. Brass is a versatile manufacturing material because of its hardness and workability. BRASS TYPES
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