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Brass Material and Specifications Review
Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze does not necessarily contain tin, and a variety of alloys of copper, including alloys with arsenic, phosphorus, aluminium, manganese, and silicon, are commonly termed "bronze". The term is applied to a variety of brasses and the distinction is largely historical, both terms having a common antecedent in the term latten.
C360 - (Free Cutting Brass) Most common brass, excellent high speed machining operations and superior thread rolling and knurling characteristics. Easily soldered and brazed and has very good resistance to corrosion.
C464 - (Naval Brass) Excellent for hot forming and adapts well to hot forging and pressing. Good for drawing, forming, bending and heading. It is readily soldered, brazed and welded. Excellent corrosion resistance to seawater at all temperature ranges while maintaining strength and rigidity.
C485 - (Naval Brass Leaded) Similar to C464 the addition of lead to C485 provides a high degree of machine-ability. Good capacity for hot-forming but is not recommended for cold working. Can be readily brazed or soldered. Very good corrosion resistance to seawater.
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Other Brass References:
Brass alloys
Alloy name Copper (%) Zinc (%) Other Notes
| Admiralty brass |
69 |
30 |
1% tin |
Contains 1% tin to inhibit dezincification in many environments. |
| Aich's alloy |
60.66 |
36.58 |
1.02% tin, 1.74% iron |
Designed for use in marine service owing to its corrosion resistance, hardness and toughness. A characteristic application is to the protection of ships' bottoms, but more modern methods of cathodic protection have rendered its use less common. Its appearance resembles that of gold. |
| Aluminium brass |
|
|
aluminum |
Contains aluminium , which improves its corrosion resistance. It is used for seawater service. |
| Arsenical brass |
|
|
arsenic , frequently aluminum |
Used for boiler fireboxes . |
| Cartridge brass |
70 |
30 |
|
Good cold working properties. Used for ammunition cases. |
| Common brass |
|
37 |
|
Also called rivet brass . Cheap and standard for cold working. |
| DZR brass |
|
|
arsenic |
Dezincification resistant brass with a small percentage of arsenic. |
| Gilding metal |
95 |
5 |
|
Softest type of brass commonly available. Gilding metal is typically used for ammunition bullet "jackets", e.g. , full metal jacket bullets. |
| High brass |
65 |
35 |
|
Has a high tensile strength and is used for springs , screws , and rivets . |
| Leaded brass |
|
|
lead |
An alpha-beta brass with an addition of lead . It has excellent machinability. |
| Lead-free brass |
|
|
<0.25% lead |
Defined by California Assembly Bill AB 1953 contains "not more than 0.25 percent lead content". |
| Low brass |
80 |
20 |
|
Has a light golden color and excellent ductility; it is used for flexible metal hoses and metal bellows . |
| Manganese brass |
70 |
29 |
1.3% manganese |
Most notably used in making golden dollar coins in the United States. |
| Muntz metal |
60 |
40 |
traces of iron |
Used as a lining on boats. |
| Naval brass |
59 |
40 |
1% tin |
Similar to admiralty brass. |
| Nickel brass |
70 |
24.5 |
5.5% nickel |
Used to make pound coins in the pound sterling currency. |
| Nordic gold |
89 |
5 |
5% aluminium, 1% tin |
Used in 10, 20, and 50 cents euro coins . |
| Prince's metal |
75 |
25 |
|
A type of alpha brass. Due to its yellow color, it is used as an imitation of gold. Also called Prince Rupert's metal , the alloy was named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine . |
| Red brass |
85 |
5 |
5% tin, 5% lead |
Both an American term for the copper-zinc-tin alloy known as gunmetal , and an alloy which is considered both a brass and a bronze. Red brass is also an alternative name for copper alloy C23000 , which is composed of 14???16% zinc, 0.05% iron and lead, and the remainder copper. It may also refer to ounce metal , another copper-zinc-tin alloy. |
| Rich low brass, Tombac |
|
520 |
|
Often used in jewelry applications. |
| Tonval brass |
|
|
lead |
Also called CW617N or CZ122 or OT58. It is not recommended for seawater use, being susceptible to dezincification. |
| Yellow brass |
67 |
33 |
|
An American term for 33% zinc brass. |
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