Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve varying mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties.
FactSnippet No. 956,395 |
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve varying mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties.
FactSnippet No. 956,395 |
Brass is similar to bronze, another alloy containing copper that uses tin instead of zinc.
FactSnippet No. 956,396 |
Brass has long been a popular material for decoration due to its bright, gold-like appearance; being used for drawer pulls and doorknobs.
FactSnippet No. 956,397 |
Brass is still commonly used in applications where corrosion resistance and low friction are required, such as locks, hinges, gears, bearings, ammunition casings, zippers, plumbing, hose couplings, valves, and electrical plugs and sockets.
FactSnippet No. 956,398 |
Brass is not suitable for such items as boat propellers because the zinc reacts with minerals in salt water, leaving porous copper behind.
FactSnippet No. 956,399 |
Brass is often used in situations in which it is important that sparks not be struck, such as in fittings and tools used near flammable or explosive materials.
FactSnippet No. 956,400 |
Brass scrap is collected and transported to the foundry, where it is melted and recast into billets.
FactSnippet No. 956,401 |
Brass is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, especially from ammonia or substances containing or releasing ammonia.
FactSnippet No. 956,402 |
Brass has sometimes historically been referred to as "yellow copper".
FactSnippet No. 956,403 |
Brass was produced by the cementation process where copper and zinc ore are heated together until zinc vapor is produced which reacts with the copper.
FactSnippet No. 956,404 |
Brass objects are still collectively known as dinanderie in French.
FactSnippet No. 956,405 |