What is brass used for - Metals and their processing

Characteristics of brass: composition and properties of the metal alloy, melting point, scope of application

Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper, the existence of which people knew back in antiquity. The ancient Romans began producing it. And although in that distant period they did not yet know about the existence of zinc, they learned to use zinc-containing raw materials in the metallurgical field very successfully.

Currently, various brass alloys are used in many economic fields. Therefore, it will be useful to know about the characteristics, properties and application features of this unique material.

This is a type of material whose main elements are copper and zinc. In addition, brass may contain additional components such as silicon, tin and lead.

Alloy characteristics

Brass is a macroscopic material with a homogeneous structure. Its composition, as a rule, includes metal components.

It differs from the substance itself in its properties, which are provided by the phase structure (microstructure or crystalline structure). Thus, thermal and electrical conductivity, which is characteristic of metals, in any case is also a property of a metal alloy.

However, along with this, physical parameters can change if a certain phase becomes predominant.

For example, if we consider brass, an increase in zinc content has a non-linear effect on the properties of this material and its grade. In copper, zinc can dissolve up to 39 percent. If this value is reached, then the composition acquires a special structure and plasticity, but its strength is noticeably reduced. If the proportion of zinc is increased, then a different crystalline phase appears, characterized by an increase in strength characteristics and a decrease in ductility.

Any metal alloy has this feature. In general, all copper-based alloys are divided into bronze, brass and solder. Bronzes are compositions of tin and copper, aluminum and beryllium. Solders can have very complex compositions. However, if the material in question can be easily distinguished from solder, then with bronze everything is somewhat more complicated.

They have a very similar appearance, but completely different properties:

Firstly, bronze has a coarse-grained structure, is characterized by durability and high resistance to corrosion: parts made from this alloy can be used even outdoors. The malleability of this type of alloy is much lower than that of brass.
Secondly, this combination of zinc and copper is a more ductile material and can be processed using cold forging. But it is the high degree of ductility that causes rapid wear of this alloy, which is why brass products can only be used as decorative elements.

The material is mainly used in jewelry. For the production of large decorative parts - interior items, decorations for stairs (forged) - it is recommended to use bronze.

Advantages and disadvantages

Every metal has special properties that can be attributed to both advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on the situation. Brass is used extremely rarely in construction, which is more evidence of the relevance of other materials, and not at all of the disadvantages of the alloy.

The main advantage of brass is its low weight, which makes the material popular in rocket and aircraft construction. In domestic conditions, this is only necessary in situations where, for example, a light water supply system is needed.

The alloy also has excellent decorative properties. It has a very varied and attractive color palette. Accessories and fittings, household and decorative items made with brass will always be beautiful, emphasizing the luxury and elegance of the interior. At the same time, the color of brass remains for a very long time.

The material also has low thermal conductivity , which is often used for the manufacture of systems and objects for which heat retention is very important. We are talking about the production of bathtubs or furniture.

Brass is a diamagnetic metal, meaning it will be pushed out of any magnetic field. This alloy has been used for the production of compass frames for a long time. Now this quality is actively used in instrument making.

The corrosion resistance of the material is even greater than that of ordinary copper, but it decreases greatly as temperatures increase. Therefore, it is very beneficial to use brass pipes for water supply. For the heating system, it is still better to take a copper pipeline.

There are two types of brass alloys:

Multicomponent.
Two-component.

Multi-component brasses, in addition to zinc and copper, may include other non-metals and metals. They have a significant impact on the final properties of the alloy. Thus, adding tin to the composition increases the resistance of the material to sea water. And the addition of, for example, nickel, increases the strength of the brass product.

Two-component alloys typically include zinc and copper in varying proportions.

Another classification method relates to processing methods:

Deformable brass can be bent, rolled, and given different shapes even at home. These alloys are produced in the form of wire, rods and sheets, which are subsequently used, for example, in the production of pipes.
Casting alloys can only deform when exposed to high temperatures and significant pressure. This technology is used to make automobile parts, bearings, etc.

Brass production

Obtaining this metal alloy is a very complex procedure. The bottom line is that copper, zinc and other elements have different melting points, and brass is therefore produced in several stages. The same applies to alloying additives: substances must be added in strict sequence, and some of them require the use of flux.

The production algorithm is directly dependent on the type and structure of brass. Casting materials in the form of ingots are used to cast a wide variety of parts. Wrought alloys are sent straight to the rolling mill, where they are annealed, processed and pickled.

The general production scheme is as follows:

Raw Material Procurement - Several technologies are used to extract zinc and copper from existing ore.
Melting. Copper is melted first, followed by other components. The sequence depends on the type of result expected.
Placement into molds - production of compact ingots.
The deformation of ingots is at least three stages.
Pickling and annealing – for example for sheet production.
The final stage of processing.

The scope of materials is directly dependent on their characteristics and properties.

has been used by professional jewelers for a long time . For example, the yellow alloy has virtually no external differences from real 583 gold. This alloy was considered a kind of “simulator” for novice jewelers, because its physical properties are very close to those of gold. Nowadays, jewelry is often made from brass.

This type of alloy is also used in furniture production. Brass is easy to forge, which makes it possible to create the most original decorative elements on furniture. The same property allows you to make dishes, figurines, sconces and stands from the material.

In addition, elements of chemical and thermal engineering devices are made from brass: capillary tubes, coils, etc.

Shaped elements , for example, fittings, are made from a cast alloy.

Brass is used in a large number of industries, which is not surprising, because it has high corrosion resistance, low weight and aesthetic appearance.

Source: https://tokar.guru/metally/splavy/splav-latun-sostav-svoystva-i-osobennosti-proizvodstva.html

Brass properties for humans - Metalworker's Handbook

Currently, various brass alloys are used in many economic fields. Therefore, it will be useful to know about the characteristics, properties and application features of this unique material.

This is a type of material whose main elements are copper and zinc. In addition, brass may contain additional components such as silicon, tin and lead.

Composition and structure

There are two types of brass alloys:

Multicomponent.
Two-component.

Two-component alloys typically include zinc and copper in varying proportions.

Another classification method relates to processing methods:

Deformable brass can be bent, rolled, and given different shapes even at home. These alloys are produced in the form of wire, rods and sheets, which are subsequently used, for example, in the production of pipes.
Casting alloys can only deform when exposed to high temperatures and significant pressure. This technology is used to make automobile parts, bearings, etc.

Scope of use

The scope of materials is directly dependent on their characteristics and properties.

In addition, elements of chemical and thermal engineering devices are made from brass: capillary tubes, coils, etc.

Shaped elements , for example, fittings, are made from a cast alloy.

Brass is used in a large number of industries, which is not surprising, because it has high corrosion resistance, low weight and aesthetic appearance.

Source: https://ssk2121.com/latun-svoystva-dlya-cheloveka/

Interesting about brass. Brass from STEEL-SERVICE LTD

Brass price is one of the most popular and widely used materials. It is impossible to find deposits of brass in nature, since it is an alloy based on copper and zinc (of which the alloy can contain from 4% to 50%). Very often, tin, aluminum, nickel, manganese, and lead are added to make brass.

The alloy comes in different shades - from dark yellow to yellow-red, golden, white, and even greenish. What color the alloy will acquire depends on the percentage of additives.

Brass is characterized by strength, ductility, good fluidity, corrosion resistance, slight shrinkage, and it also lends itself well to any type of processing.

History of brass

The history of the appearance of brass goes back to ancient times. It is no secret that brass has long been used everywhere, in China, Greece, India, and Rome. But, according to historical data, the Romans first received brass at the beginning of our era. They obtained it by alloying copper with galmey, that is, zinc ore. They made jewelry and dishes from the resulting metal. Over time, the production of brass products was mastered in Central Asia, and then in Rus'.

It was not until 1781 in England that James Emerson invented a new method for producing brass by alloying copper with the metal zinc. Since then, brass has become widespread. Brass products appeared in almost every home.

Application of brass

Brass is a universal material, therefore it is widely used in many areas. The material, which is highly resistant to corrosion, is actively used in mechanical engineering and shipbuilding.

It also serves as a material for the manufacture of vessels, fasteners, squares for decorating books, pectoral crosses and military insignia: orders and medals.

Brass is in demand in the production of pipes, taps, couplings, fittings, and other parts that are in demand in plumbing. Even when creating jewelry, brass is used.

In Ancient Rome, brass was called orichalcum (aurichalcum), which translated meant “golden copper”. Orichalcum received this name because of the color of the alloy, very similar to the color of gold.
In the West, military and civilian weapons use cartridges with an all-brass case. This is a fairly soft metal, which, firstly, is easy to process, and secondly, it does not scratch parts of the weapon when shooting and reloading.

All serial Zippo lighters are made of brass, that is, they are naturally yellow. The steel color is obtained through the galvanization process.
In Moscow, on Red Square, there is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky made of brass, although for a long time it was believed that it was bronze. This became known only during the restoration.
Due to the fact that brass has a good heat capacity, samovars were made from it in Tsarist Rus'. They retained heat for a long time and warmed up evenly.

In Rus', brass products were exchanged for sable furs. The price was set in a very interesting way - the dishes were filled with sable furs to the very brim and given to the seller.
Brass is highly valued in Africa. Ritual masks and dishes for ceremonies are made from it.

Brass is used to create frames for compasses and cases for magnets, since, unlike other metals, it is not magnetized.
It is very difficult to distinguish an alloy of nickel and copper from 583-carat gold if 2.5% aluminum is added to it. Jewelry manufacturers take advantage of this feature. It is necessary to take into account that scammers are also aware of this peculiarity of brass, who make fake “gold” jewelry from it.
Beginning jewelers use brass grades L68 and L62 as training material. Since the mechanical properties of these materials are similar to 583-carat gold.

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Brass - properties, characteristics, review article, report, abstract

Brass is a two-component or more complex alloy, the main elements of which are Cu (copper) and Zn (zinc). zinc in brass can range from 5 to 45% or more. For example, in the encyclopedic dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron, the ratio of copper and zinc content in the alloy is described as 2 to 1.

Brass is primarily valued for its strength compared to ordinary copper, malleability, toughness, hardness and higher corrosion resistance. In addition to improved mechanical properties, the copper-zinc alloy has good aesthetic properties, is easy to polish and has a beautiful yellow or reddish color. Moreover, it has a lower cost than copper or tin bronze.

It is worth noting that brass darkens in air, so handicrafts made from it should be varnished. If brass contains more than 20% Zn, it is susceptible to seasonal cracking in humid environments, especially wrought alloys.

Annealing the products will help counteract this. And when the alloy contains more than 39% Zn, the alloy has a two-phase structure, which negatively affects the strength and ductility of products made from it. Brass has lower thermal and electrical conductivity compared to copper.

To buy brass, go to the brass sales section.

Classification of brasses

Since other alloying elements are added to the alloy of copper and zinc, they are distinguished:

two-component alloys
and multicomponent brass alloys.

Alloying elements of complex alloys: Mg, Sn, Ni, Pb, Si, Fe, Al and others. All of them affect the properties of products in a certain way. Mg in combination with Fe and Al affects the strength characteristics and corrosion resistance. Ni – has a positive effect on resistance to oxidative processes.

Pb increases the ductility and malleability of brass. Such alloys are often used by artisans; such alloys are also called automatic alloys, because they lend themselves well to machine processing.

Si is controversial, but it affects the strength characteristics of the alloy, and in combination with Pb it can compete for primacy with tin bronze in terms of antifriction qualities.

No less important is the classification of Cu and Zn alloys according to the method of their processing. There are:

casting alloys,
pressure-processed alloys,
You can also include special brasses in this group.

Brass with a high zinc content is better suited to hot pressure treatment at temperatures from 300 to 700°C, however, as the Zn concentration increases above 30%, the ductility and strength of the alloys decreases, so in practice alloys with a Zn content higher than 39% are not used for these purposes. . When cold, any brass alloys can be processed well.

It has already been said about the difference in the phase states of brass, but to complete the picture it should be defined again:

a-phase brass
and b-phase brass.

The first - with a Zn content of up to 39%, the second (two-phase) - higher. Brass in the a-phase has higher ductility and strength than in the b phase, since two-phase alloys tend to exfoliate due to the fact that copper and zinc will not form a strong bond.

Since brasses vary in zinc content, it is also customary to distinguish:

zinc in red brass (tombaka) ranges from 5 to 20%, and in yellow brass - more than 20%. The higher the Zn content in the composition, the lower the cost of the alloy.

Properties of alloys

To understand how different alloying compositions and proportions affect the qualities of brass, below we have provided several tables and diagrams. But first, let's look at the principles of marking brass. In Russia, two-component alloys are marked with the letter L and numbers indicating the percentage of copper by chemical composition.

(L80 contains 79-81% Cu, up to 0.3% impurities and Zn in the remainder). Multicomponent alloys are also marked with the letter L, after which the letters of the alloying elements are indicated, followed by numerical designations indicating the percentage of copper and alloying compositions, in the order indicated by the letters (LA77-2 - 77% Cu, 2% Al).

Application

The range of brasses produced in Russia is very large. There are about 37 main grades of two and multi-component alloys, not counting special and secondary brasses. So the range of their applications is extremely wide and will be discussed in more detail in articles devoted to specific alloys. However, examples of the use of brasses within the above classification can be given.

Two-component wrought brass alloys L96-L80 are used mainly for the production of parts in the chemical industry, radiator and capillary tubes, thermal equipment, and in mechanical engineering. L68-L60 - used in the manufacture of stamped products, fittings and fasteners, parts in the automotive industry, condenser pipes, branch pipes.

The scope of application of multicomponent deformable alloys is much wider and fits into the production framework of such industries as: shipbuilding, chemical industry, mechanical engineering, production of thermal equipment, precision instruments, aviation industry and others. It is noteworthy that multicomponent wrought alloys are mainly used for the production of small parts with good antifriction properties.

Casting brass alloys are used for the manufacture of critical parts and structural elements. They have great strength. They are used to cast fittings, make nuts, worm screws, as well as bearings, bushings and corrosion-resistant parts.

Story

Brass production was practiced in ancient Rome, and later in Egypt, Greece and China. According to information presented in SBIE, the ancient Romans made brass by fusing copper and the mineral gallium in the form of carbon ZnCO3.

The purity of such an alloy was not great, so real high-quality brass appeared much later, when in 1746 Andreas Sigismund Maggraf found a way to extract pure zinc by calcining zinc oxide in a retort made of refractory clay without access to air, and condensing the zinc in the gas phase in a refrigerator.

The word zinc goes back to the German zinke (tooth), probably this name is associated with the shape of sphalerite crystals (zinc blende) from which zinc was subsequently mined on an industrial scale. Sphalerite contains zinc sulfide ZnS. Concentrates are obtained from it using a pyrometallurgical scheme.

First, the mineral is crushed and then placed in a selective flotation apparatus, where other concentrates are recovered along with the zinc concentrate. Next, zinc concentrates are enriched and reduced by roasting in a fluidized bed, and then by sintering. The distillation method is not currently used to obtain pure zinc.

The most widely used method in our time is the hydrometallurgical method of producing Zn by electrolysis.

Rolled metal and castings

After obtaining a homogeneous mass, the alloy is poured into molds, if it is cast brass, and from it the following is obtained:

flat ingots
and round ingots.

Deformable alloys, after casting into molds, undergo a deformation procedure. From them they produce: brass strip, brass plates, brass wire, brass pipes, brass circles, brass sheets, brass rods.

The resulting products may vary in the degree of additional processing (hardening, aging), as well as in the state of the material (soft, semi-hard, hard and extra-hard). Additional thermal preparation of workpieces can significantly increase their corrosion resistance and strength.

The most popular brass products that you can buy from us:

Rod L63	Sheet L63	Circle L63	Pipe L63
Wire L63	Plate L63	Tape L63

Source: https://nfmetall.ru/articles/11.html

Brass: Applications and properties of an alloy of copper and zinc, density, electrical conductivity and other properties

An alloy of copper and zinc is used to produce an alloy called brass. At the same time, many properties of the alloy change depending on the percentage of these pure metals, for example, the density of brass, its ductility, electrical conductivity and others. In addition to the base metals, the alloy contains other elements that influence the special properties of brass required for a particular application.

Historical reference

According to historical information, the first metals used by man were copper and gold. Both metals are very soft in their pure state, so their use in human life is quite limited. Copper in particular has been used by ancient people since their early use of fire, and since Roman times the metal has been used more intensively in pipes, military weapons, statue decorations, and other uses.

To improve the characteristics of pure metals, for example, greater hardness and strength, over time, man came up with the idea of mixing them. Thus, around 3500 BC, bronze was obtained in Mesopotamia - an alloy of copper and tin, which was highly resistant to corrosion and was stronger than each pure metal separately. Thanks to these properties, bronze began to be used for the production of weapons and tools.

Around 1400 BC, brass was discovered, an alloy of zinc and copper that exhibited excellent resistance to deformation, had high ductility at low and high temperatures, and was highly resistant to corrosion and mechanical wear. However, its use became widespread only in 250 BC with the beginning of coin production in the Roman Empire.

Since that time, the use of brass began to be carried out in a wide variety of areas of human activity, from weapons to jewelry.

In the 15th century, it began to be used for the production of astronomical instruments, and with the advent of printing, the alloy began to be actively used in printing. Since the mid-16th century in Europe, bolts and nuts have been made primarily from brass, copper and bronze.

This alloy was used to make gears in watch movements, and in the 17th century in Holland, brass was used to make an optical telescope.

Composition and properties of the alloy

The proportions of metals in an alloy can vary widely, which affects the creation of a material with the desired properties. In industrial alloys, the percentage of zinc is always below 50%. The composition determines the following properties of the material:

fusibility;
formability;
ductility;
stamping ability;
machinability.

At low temperatures, brass can be made into sheets of various thicknesses or drawn into wire. The density of brass and its melting point also depend on its composition. In general, the specific gravity of brass varies from 8.4 g/cm3 to 8.7 g/cm3, and the melting point is between 900 °C and 940 °C.

Pure copper has a density of 8.96 g/cm3 and a melting point of 1084 °C, and pure zinc has a density of 7.14 g/cm3 and a melting point of 420 °C, that is, these two properties of brass are close to the properties of copper, due to its greater relative amount in the alloy compared to zinc.

Mainly, brass products are used as decorative items due to their gold-like appearance and luster. This alloy is also used in devices that require little friction between working parts, for example, in locks and various valves. The alloy is also used in electrical devices, and due to its acoustic properties it is used in the manufacture of some musical instruments such as trumpets and bells.

Humanity has been familiar with brass since prehistoric times, even before the discovery of zinc itself. This alloy was originally produced by mixing copper and the mineral hemimorphite, which is a natural source of zinc. A hemimorphite mine was opened in one of the villages of modern Germany. This mine operated during the Roman Empire. By mixing copper and hemimorphite at high temperatures, zinc is released from the mineral and fused with the copper.

The physical properties of brass include the following characteristics:

ability to be machined at both low and high temperatures;
high resistance to oxidation and corrosion processes, even in aggressive environments;
high wear resistance;
high electrical conductivity;
suitability for reusable recycling;
the ability to retain its properties when exposed to high temperatures.

Types of brass

Types of brass differ from each other in different zinc contents. Depending on the percentage of zinc in the alloy, three main groups are distinguished:

The first group with a zinc percentage of less than 34%.
The second group with a percentage of zinc from 33 to 44%.
Alloys of the third group contain more than 42% zinc and have limited use.

Alloy classification

According to this division into groups depending on the zinc content, the following classification of ordinary brasses is introduced:

Red alloys. They are mainly used in the jewelry industry due to their appearance (brass can look like gold). Material with 10% zinc is similar to bronze, therefore it is used as its imitation; 15% zinc gives the material a reddish color; this alloy is used in car radiators; an alloy with 20% zinc has good elongation, so it is used for making pipes.
Yellow materials. They contain from 25% to 35% zinc. Mainly used for sleeves and springs.
Alpha-beta brass with a zinc ratio of 36 to 42%. They are less malleable than red and yellow brasses, so they are not used for making plates at low temperatures. Alpha-beta alloys undergo mechanical processing at high temperatures, so they were used in some ship structures in the 19th century.

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Some alloys are called special, for example, the “similor” alloy. Similor consists of 80% copper and 20% zinc. Other specialty materials include Prince Albert Metal (86% copper, 14% zinc) and Crisokol (82% copper, 6% zinc, 6% tin).

In addition to the main elements, brasses contain other elements in minimal quantities, so these alloys are malleable and ductile at low temperatures, and some materials are not ductile at any temperature. All types of this material become brittle near the melting point.

Thanks to the zinc it contains, brass is harder than pure copper. At the same time, the alloy is easier to process on various mechanical machines, easier to mint and smelt products.

The alloy is also resistant to oxidation in a saline environment, and its ductility allows the production of thin metal sheets.

Ductility depends on three factors: temperature, structure and composition, and even minimal amounts of other elements can significantly change this physical property of the alloy.

The machinability of brass is greatly enhanced by the addition of a small amount of lead. This element is practically insoluble in it and forms globular particles, which greatly facilitate the mechanical processing process.

In addition, lead is a good lubricant due to its low melting point, this fact significantly reduces the wear of the cutting tool when processing the material.

Brass is practically not subjected to heat treatment; only the processes of recrystallization and homogenization annealing are used for it.

Special materials

Special brasses are considered materials to which, in addition to copper and zinc, other elements are added in small quantities in order to give them the appropriate properties. The most common special brasses are the following:

with the addition of aluminum;
the addition of iron increases the hardness and rigidity of the alloy compared to standard brass;
the addition of lead gives the material mechanical resistance and increases its processing ability;
the addition of manganese increases the strength of the material and reduces its malleability and ductility;
the addition of tin gives strength to the material when drawn, while simultaneously increasing its corrosion resistance. In this case, there are two well-known alloys: “admiral metal,” which is highly resistant to corrosion and is therefore used as condenser pipes; “marine brass” - contains 40% zinc and is widely used in sweet and salty water;
silicon additive (so-called bronsil) increases corrosion resistance and is used in the manufacture of valves, pumps and gears;
complex brass with the addition of various elements, which gives it high resistance to oxidation and cavitation, which is why it is used in ship propellers.

Areas of use

The use of brass covers a wide variety of areas of human activity. Thus, the golden color of the alloy determined its use in jewelry and various decorative elements. It is also used in boiler making, in the production of military equipment and ammunition, in the manufacture of capacitor wires and tubes, electrical terminals and cash coins.

Due to its resistance to destruction in salt water, the metal is used in the manufacture of equipment for various sea vessels, and its acoustic properties make it possible to make wind instruments: trumpets and accordions. Due to its bactericidal properties, the alloy is used to make door handles in hospitals and clinics.

If we talk about the use as decoration, then we should highlight the production of lamps, lamps, cornices and some jewelry. This kind of thing is produced mainly in the countries of Eastern Europe, in the CIS countries, as well as in many Arab and some Asian countries.

One of the interesting properties of brass, which is unusual for metals, is the absence of sparks when mechanically acting on the product. This unique characteristic makes it possible to use the material as vessels for storing and transporting flammable liquids.

Due to the ease of machining, high wear resistance and low price, the material is used for the manufacture of a variety of valves. Due to its high resistance to corrosion and cavitation, brass is used to make ship propellers. The material is also used in the production of some parts of modern computers.

Source: https://obrabotkametalla.info/splavy/fizicheskie-svojstva-latuni-plotnost-primenenie

Features of the use of brass in industry

When mentioning brass, the average person will remember only souvenirs and ancient household items: candlesticks, trays, all kinds of stands and figurines. In the past, it was almost the only available material for making household products, jewelry and souvenirs.

With the development of processing technologies and the advent of industry as such, brass lost its previous role and acquired a new one: it turned out that the alloy of zinc and copper is not only easily processed, taking the most complex shape due to its elasticity and softness, comparable to the softness of gold, not only does it not rust with for years, but also adequately withstands exposure to aggressive substances, is durable and reliable.

It is not surprising that brass began to be actively used for the manufacture of units, parts and components of various systems and mechanisms. Brass wires, bearings, bushings, tubes, sheets are ideal for both miniature devices and large-sized equipment.

Types of brass and their areas of application

Even before the Industrial Revolution, craftsmen experimented with alloys and developed technologies to make brass softer or harder. With the advent of new production methods, even more varieties arose: if previously the alloy consisted only of copper and zinc (and craftsmen had to experiment only with zinc content), now it can include additional components: aluminum, silicon, tin, lead, tin and others so-called ligating elements.

In particular:

Brass with added tin serves well in sea water, which rusts almost any metal. This alloy is called “marine” and is used in those mechanisms that are used on ships or on the seashore.
Lead makes the alloy easier to process when it comes to cutting on machines. This type of brass is not as strong as others, but is inexpensive and fairly common.
Brass with silicon is easier to process by welding. It has anti-friction properties and can be an inexpensive analogue of bronze with the addition of tin.
The addition of manganese increases the anti-corrosion properties and strength of the alloy. This is a good option for parts operating in aggressive environments.
Aluminum is the “working” component, thanks to which a protective film is formed on the molten brass, preventing the evaporation of zinc.

There is another classification of brass, which is based on the processing method. This is cast brass, from which various parts of complex shapes are cast (for example, bearings), and a wrought alloy, which is drawn, cut, welded, creating pipes, sheets, wire, and tape.

Applications of brass

The alloy of zinc and copper is ideal for the manufacture of adapters, elements of cooling systems for internal combustion engines, fasteners, cartridges and bullets, plumbing fixtures and decorative elements.

Automotive and mechanical engineering

Brass is wear-resistant and is well suited for making bearings, bushings, tubes and other moving and stationary parts. Being resistant to corrosion, it performs ideally in the most difficult conditions.

Construction

Fasteners, wire for electrical wiring and communication systems, plumbing fixtures (primarily faucets), door and window fittings - all this can be made of brass.

Refrigeration equipment

The alloy is resistant to low temperatures and elastic: parts made of it will not crack when frozen and will not rust from moisture or antifreeze. Brass is used both for the production of components for refrigerators and for climate control systems and cooling systems in cars.

Food industry

Brass utensils have always been used: this alloy is inert towards food, and neither water nor most household acids, alkalis and salts harm it. This is why it is often used for industrial food processing plants.

Aircraft and shipbuilding

Brass tubes, wire, rods, plates, sheets are used in the construction and repair of aircraft and sea vessels. The alloy can withstand both freezing and exposure to salt water.

Chemical industry

Pipelines, containers and vessels for chemicals are made from brass. The alloy withstands the effects of aggressive substances and does not rust.

Brass is not only one of the oldest alloys. This is a completely relevant and popular material that is used in almost all areas of industry.

February 17, 2018

Source: https://tdspecstal.ru/articles/promyshlennoe-primenenie-latuni.html

Brass: what it is, composition and properties of the alloy, areas of its application

Currently, various brass alloys are used in many economic fields. Therefore, it will be useful to know about the characteristics, properties and application features of this unique material.

This is a type of material whose main elements are copper and zinc. In addition, brass may contain additional components such as silicon, tin and lead.

Brass L63 and LS59. Difference between brands, application, characteristics. Rods, sheets. GOST standards

The most commonly used brasses: LS59-1 in the form of round, square and hexagonal bars, L63 in the form of strips, sheets, plates and wires, tubes. Sheets LS59-1 are used if processing on a milling machine or engraving is needed. If the sheet needs to be bent, then only grade L63 is soft.

Sheets and slabs made from the L63 brand are cheaper than from the LS59-1 brand. For rods, it’s exactly the opposite: L63 brass, which is less processed, costs about 20% more. This is due to the fact that L63 is made from pure copper scrap, and LS59-1 from scrap containing lead.

In the case of sheets, the increased cost of LS59-1 brass is associated with manufacturing difficulties. L63 brass is more viscous and there is less waste in the production of sheets. Cutting of brass sheets produced by our factories for processing non-ferrous metals is 600 x 1500 mm, i.e.

This is 0.9 square meters in one standard sheet of brass.

Brass sheets should be stored in a warm warehouse, since when the temperature changes and condensation gets on the sheets, the corrosion process begins. The brass darkens and white spots appear. Store brass sheets standing in cells.

Sometimes the question arises of how to distinguish brass from bronze BrAZh9-4, because they are similar in color. Bronze is magnetic, brass usually is not (the exception is brass containing iron, but they are weaker magnetic).

Brass has a higher density of 8.5 g/cm3 (in bronze BrAZh9-4 it is 7.6 g/cm3), therefore, with the same diameter and length, a brass rod weighs more. If brass is heated to a temperature of 600-650.C (dark red heat), the surface of the brass becomes covered with a thin ashy coating of zinc oxide .

This kind of deposit does not form on bronze. Bronze gives off a pink tint, while brass is yellow or even greenish-yellow.

You can distinguish L63 and LS59-1 brass from each other by scratching the rod. Brass LS59-1 creaks when scratched!

You can test brass for lead content : this is usually done like this: apply a drop of 9% vinegar to the sample, wait a while, then apply a drop of potassium iodide (available in pharmacies, chemical stores, in old military first aid kits as an anti-radiation agent), the appearance of a yellow color indicates the presence of lead. So it's lead brass.

Brass differs from bronze in its higher ductility and, accordingly, lower strength and wear resistance , which limits the use of this alloy in many areas. In addition, brass is less resistant to aggressive environments, in particular salty sea water, which does not allow the use of brass products in shipbuilding, where bronze is used very actively and successfully. The exception is tin brass grades LO.

There is also a noticeable difference in the color of these alloys and in their internal structure. Any experienced specialist can tell you how to distinguish brass from bronze: to do this, just look at the fracture of products made from these alloys. Brass has a lighter color when fractured and a distinct fine-grained structure, while bronze is easily identified by its dark brown fracture color and coarse-grained internal structure.

Sheet L63, if cut with a hacksaw, produces a burr, but LS-59 has practically no burr. Brand L63 brass is not suitable for engraving and milling. No matter how much you select the modes, the cutters still break, the material is very viscous. When polishing, a sheet of L63 “floats” a lot. True, bending it is better than loose material, which can crack. Brass brand LS59-1 is excellent for processing on automatic lathes, as the lead contained in the alloy makes the chips brittle and they do not wrap around the cutter.

By the way, the volume of produced brass LS59-1 is several times greater than the volume of production of all other brands of brass combined.

You can read about changing the color of brass (oxidation) here

THIS IS INTERESTING: How stainless steel is made

The entire range of products made from brass L 63 and LS59 is specified by GOST 15527 -70 (new edition - GOST 15527 - 2004 ) “Copper-zinc (brass) alloys processed by pressure. Stamps"

Brass rods were previously manufactured according to GOST 2060-90, in 2006 this GOST was updated to GOST 2060-2006 Brass rods. Technical conditions. However, in the same year 2006, a new GOST 52597-2006 BRASS RODS FOR PROCESSING ON AUTOMATIC MACHINES was developed and introduced. It regulates the production of rods from lead brass (automatic brass) grades LS63-3, LS59-1, LS59-1V, LS58-2, LS58-3, LS59-2 and LZhS58-1-1 with a diameter from 3 mm to 50 mm.

In fact, since 2006, the domestic non-ferrous metallurgy has been producing all lead brass in accordance with this GOST. According to the old GOST 2060, lead-free brass and pressed lead brass over a diameter of 50 mm are produced. However, designers still have the Soviet GOST listed in old reference books, which is why difficulties periodically arise with the supplied brass of the LS59-1 brand. Suppliers require that they provide certificates of manufacture before 2006.

Brass sheets are manufactured according to the Soviet GOST 931-90 (ST SEV 957-89) BRASS SHEETS AND STRIPS TECHNICAL CONDITIONS. And although this GOST states that it is possible to produce sheets up to 1000 mm wide and up to 2000 mm long, alas, our industry only makes cuttings 600x1500 mm.
We cut brass sheets 1000x2000 mm and remain a legend.

In the food industry, it is better to use two-component brass of the L63 (L68) brand, since it does not contain lead, which has a harmful effect on living organisms.

processing of brass LS59-1. The shavings fall into small crumbs, hence the common name for brass “loose”

Brass kettle made of brass L68

Comparison of properties of L63 and LS59-1 (from here)

Practice shows that many consumers do not know what the differences are between the two most common brands of brass - LS59-1 and L63. Therefore, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

The electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of these brasses are the same.
These brasses differ from each other not because they have different copper contents, but because lead is present . Thanks to lead, LS59-1 sharpens perfectly with the formation of small loose chips.
L63 is processed worse by cutting than LS59-1, it has different chips.
In comparable conditions, rods made from LS59-1 are not much harder and stronger than L63. However, if there are notches, rods made of LS59-1 are easily subject to brittle fracture under lateral load. The impact strength of LS59-1 (5-6) is much less than that of L63 (14). For these reasons, under certain operating conditions, parts made from L63 may be more reliable than those from LS59-1.
L63 is easily processed by cold pressure. The difference in ductility is clearly illustrated by a simple experiment: wire from L63 is easily flattened, and wire from LS59-1 cracks after 2-3 blows with a hammer. This distinguishes L63 from LS59-1 and determines the use of L63 for the manufacture of parts that require, in addition to turning and milling, additional forming by pressure.
High ductility allows the use of L63 wire for the manufacture of rivets.
L63 rods and wire are used as solder.
LS59-1 has good antifriction properties and can be used in plain bearings operating at low specific pressures and high speeds.
Cold-formed sheets made of LS59-1 have high hardness. combined with high wear resistance, this allows them to be used as guides in machine tools.

Materials for plain bearings

Source: https://tsvetmet.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%83%D0%BD%D1%8C/

Processing and use of brass

Brass is a popular non-ferrous alloy consisting of copper with the addition of 5-45% zinc and a number of other metals. If the zinc content does not exceed 20%, then such brass is called red, with a larger amount - yellow.

If the zinc content does not exceed 20%, then such brass is called red, with a larger amount - yellow

The composition of brass also has a significant impact on its properties. When the proportion of zinc increases to 30%, strength and ductility increase, then the ductility slowly decreases. When the zinc content reaches 45%, a sharp drop in mechanical properties occurs, so the amount of zinc is limited to this number.

Zinc is a cheaper metal compared to copper. However, its introduction into the alloy is aimed not only at reducing the price, but also at increasing the following characteristics:

hardness and strength;
cutting ability;
corrosion resistance;
anti-friction indicators.

Brass processing

According to application, brass is divided into wrought and cast brass. Brass, which consists only of copper and zinc, is most susceptible to deformation. The most common grade of deformable brass is L68; grades L63 and L70 are widely used. However, there are a number of deformable brasses with additions of other metals, such as LN65-5, Mts58-2, LZhMa59-1-1, etc.

Pressure processing of brass is carried out in hot and cold conditions. At the same time, a cold brass billet has significantly greater ductility than a similar steel product. From it you can obtain parts of a rather complex configuration, the manufacture of which from steel is impossible without heating the metal. Due to high ductility, many brass parts obtained by deformation have a high-quality surface and require minimal processing.

Cast brass has good properties - segregation and fluidity. This makes it possible to produce very complex parts by casting. An important advantage of brass as a casting material is the minimal formation of defects. In some cases, brass can be used as a substitute for more expensive cast tin bronzes.

All brands of brass can be machined without problems. Adding lead to the alloy allows for even greater milling and turning capabilities. Brass can also be soldered well using soft and hard solder.

Pros and cons of brass, you can’t copy from the Internet

The basis of bronze and brass, as mentioned above, is the same metal - copper. The difference between these alloys lies in their chemical composition and, accordingly, in the characteristics that they possess. Naturally, the differences between these copper alloys also determine their areas of application.

Due to the fact that bronze is a stronger and more durable material when compared with brass, bells, sculptural compositions, elements of fencing, landscape and interior structures have been made from this material since ancient times.

It is also important that many grades of this alloy are characterized by good fluidity in the molten state. This makes it possible to cast products of even very complex configurations from them.

By adding various chemical elements to the chemical composition of bronze, you can change its color in a fairly wide range, which is also of great importance in the production of decorative products.

This watch ring, judging by the color, is more likely yellow brass (bronze would be redder). Scratches easily remain on the surface - also a sign of brass

Brass differs from bronze in its higher ductility and, accordingly, lower strength and wear resistance, which limits the use of this alloy in many areas. In addition, brass is less resistant to aggressive environments, in particular salty sea water, which does not allow the use of brass products in shipbuilding, where bronze is used very actively and successfully.

Broken bronze coupling

The main alloying element in bronze is tin, and in brass it is zinc. Moreover, both alloys are created on the basis of one metal – copper.
Bronze (even with a classic chemical composition) perfectly resists the effects of aggressive environments, in particular salty sea water. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of brass, additional alloying elements must be introduced into such an alloy.
The strength and anti-friction characteristics of bronze are also better than those of brass. Such qualities significantly expand the scope of which not only strong and durable decorative elements are made, but also critical parts for use in various industries. Brass is more often used for the production of bimetallic elements (“steel - brass”), which demonstrate high resistance to the formation and development of corrosion processes.
Bronze products have a dark brown color and coarse grain when broken, while brass products have a yellow-golden color and a fine-grained structure. This difference in color and internal structure makes it easy to determine what alloy the product is made from.
Bronze, like brass, although they are based on a metal such as copper, are divided into completely different categories. Thus, bronze can be tin or tin-free, while brass can be two- or multi-component.

Comparison of properties of brass and bronze

Bronze and brass, which have a lower melting point than copper, can be used to make various products at home. However, for this, naturally, it is necessary to stock up on the appropriate equipment and thoroughly study the technology and rules for performing such a technological operation as casting.

Chemical composition and features of the internal structure

To have a good understanding of the characteristics of brass, it is important to understand what properties the chemical elements of which it is composed have. Such elements, as mentioned above, are copper and zinc

Classification of brasses by chemical composition

Copper is one of the first metals that man began to use for the manufacture of products for various purposes. This element, which is included in the 11th group of the IV period of the periodic table, has atomic number 29 and is designated as Cu (short for Cuprum). Copper, which is a transition metal, is highly ductile and has a beautiful light golden color. When an oxide film forms, the metal acquires an equally beautiful yellowish-red hue.

Zinc, the second main element in the chemical composition of brass, is also a metal that, unlike copper, does not occur in nature in its pure form. Zinc, having atomic number 30, is included in the secondary subgroup of the 2nd group of the IV period of the periodic table.

This metal, which began to be produced in the 12th century in India, is highly brittle under normal conditions. Without the oxide film that appears on the metal when it interacts with open air, its surface has a light blue color.

This metal is designated by the symbol Zn (short for Zincum).

This is what the microstructure of a polished brass surface looks like under 400x magnification.

The structure of brass, depending on the content of the main components in its composition, can consist of one α-phase or simultaneously α+β-phases. The states that the internal structure of the alloy can assume are distinguished by the following features:

α-phase is a solution of copper and zinc, characterized by high stability, in which the molecules of the base metal (copper) have a face-centered cubic lattice;
The α+β phase is also a stable solution in which copper and zinc are contained in a ratio of 3:2 (in such a solution, copper molecules have a simple unit cell).

The microstructure of α + β-brass has less ductility and greater hardness than the structure of α-brass

Depending on the heating temperature, the following structural transformations occur in brass.

When brass is heated to high temperatures, the atoms in its β-phase, which has a wide range of homogeneity, are characterized by a disordered arrangement. In this heating state, the β-phase of the brass alloy is highly ductile.
When a brass alloy is slightly heated (454–468 ° ), a phase designated β' is formed in it. A feature of this structural phase, which is characterized by high hardness and, accordingly, brittleness, is that the copper and zinc atoms in it are arranged in an orderly manner.

The ductility of brasses with a two-phase structure can be increased if they are heated above the temperature at which the β'-transformation occurs (700°).

In this state, only one β-phase predominates in the structure of the alloy; accordingly, it is characterized by high plasticity. However, even single-phase brasses with good ductility can practically not be processed by plastic deformation methods.

This occurs in the temperature range of their heating to 300–700 ° , which is called the brittleness zone.

zinc in brass affects the electrical conductivity of the alloy

The mechanical properties of brass of a particular grade are significantly influenced by the zinc content in its chemical composition. So, if the content of this chemical element is up to 30%, then both the strength and ductility of the alloy increase at the same time.

A further increase in the zinc content leads to the fact that brass becomes less ductile (complication of the α-phase), and then more brittle (formation of the β'-phase in the brass structure).

The strength of brass increases until its composition contains 45% zinc; with a further increase in the amount of this element, brass becomes both less strong and less ductile.

Best answers

Vladimir Chudentsov:

Actually, faucets are not made from chrome. They are only coated with a thin layer of chrome. And the faucets themselves are made of brass (an alloy) or copper (now very rare). So if they tell you that the faucet is entirely made of chrome, then most likely they are deceiving you. It would be fragile and obscenely expensive.

Source: https://mr-build.ru/newsanteh/latun-ili-nikel-cto-lucse.html