Top 7 Types of Brass: Specifications, Properties & Key Advantages
Table of Contents
Introduction
Brass is a widely used alloy made primarily of copper and zinc, valued for its strength, workability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal.
Its versatility makes it an essential material across various industries, including construction, manufacturing, plumbing, and marine applications. Brass comes in different types, each with distinct properties tailored to specific uses. In this article, we will explore the key types of brass, their specifications, and advantages.
Alpha Brass (CuZn)
Alpha brass alloys contain 55-65% copper and 35-45% zinc, forming a single-phase alloy with a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structure.
Technical Specifications:
Alpha brass is known for excellent cold workability due to its high ductility. It also offers good corrosion resistance and can be cold worked or drawn into different shapes. Adding small amounts of elements like iron or aluminum can further enhance its properties.
Advantages:
The main benefits include superior cold workability, corrosion resistance, and an attractive appearance, making it ideal for decorative applications.
Alpha-Beta Brass (CuZn40)
Alpha-beta brass, or duplex brass, is made up of about 60% copper and 40% zinc, with a two-phase structure that includes both alpha and beta phases.
Technical Specifications:
This type of brass has excellent cold and hot working properties, making it suitable for forging, pressing, and machining. Heat treatment can modify its strength and ductility.
Advantages:
It offers a combination of strength, workability, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for components like gears, valves, and fittings.
High-Zinc Beta Brass (CuZn15)
High-zinc beta brass contains 15% copper and 85% zinc, with a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure.
Technical Specifications:
Primarily used for die-casting, high-zinc beta brass offers good fluidity and wear resistance. However, it is more prone to stress corrosion cracking compared to other brass types.
Advantages:
It’s ideal for die-cast components such as locks, hinges, and fasteners, offering good wear resistance at a lower cost.
Leaded Brass (CuZn39Pb3)
Leaded brass contains 1-3% lead, which enhances its machinability.
Technical Specifications:
Leaded brass is easy to machine, making it suitable for high-speed machining and complex shapes. It also offers good corrosion resistance.
Advantages:
It excels in machinability, making it perfect for plumbing fittings, valves, and decorative hardware.
Naval Brass (CuZn40Sn1)
Naval brass is composed of 60% copper, 39% zinc, and 1% tin, enhancing its resistance to dezincification.
Technical Specifications:
This type of brass is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, making it ideal for marine applications. It offers good strength and wear resistance.
Advantages:
Naval brass is perfect for marine environments, used in components like ship propellers, bushings, and bearings due to its resistance to corrosion and wear.
Yellow Brass (CuZn33)
Red Brass (CuZn15)
Conclusion
Comments
Excellent product cases
Tags
Related Blog
Get the latest trends and facts about CNC fabrication from our blog.