Distinguished by its reddish color, brass is a very well-known metal. It has many uses thanks to its unique characteristics. You can find it present in the manufacture of conducting wires, but also in decorative or functional pieces, such as lamps or taps. So, to learn a little more about this metal, we offer you this article. We will discover together everything you need to know about brass.
What exactly is brass?
This metal is actually a mixture of two other metals. It is an alloy that combines copper with zinc. It is known by its golden color with reddish undertones. It is also known for its use mainly in decorative objects. It is the metal adopted for the manufacture of everything related to hardware as it is characterized by its durability, its solidity and its great resistance to corrosion. It should also be noted that brass is characterized by its malleability. This means that it can be easily manipulated to give it the desired shapes.
What is the history of brass?
It was by pure coincidence that the discovery of brass was made in Asia. Then it was the turn of the Romans to discover it and start using it before more than 2000 years. This metal was highly exploited in the manufacture and creation of soldiers’ armor, but also jewelry. Likewise, in a time when metal had its expensive price, it was important to use one that was reused for maximum savings. Hence the use of brass which is not ferrous and therefore can be recycled. Thus, it was collected, melted and then used for the manufacture of different elements.
What are the properties of brass?
Brass is famous for its conductivity. Hence its use in the manufacture of everything electrical. Also, among its properties we find resistance to wear and corrosion. however, it should be noted that it is still quite fragile because it is easily malleable. Therefore, to maximize the power of these qualities, brass is often combined with other metals to give it more durability. So, you can alloy it with aluminum to give it extra hardness. Likewise, it can be alloyed with iron to give it a magnetic power as it is a basic non-ferrous metal. Or, you combine it with silicon for greater resistance.
What can brass be used for?
Thanks to its durability and resistance, brass has seen its popularity increase day by day. It has become a highly stressed metal and used in various creations. Of course, it is exploited for hardware, but that’s not all. It is also used for interior decorations of dwellings, such as lamps, basins and wall hooks. It is also mined for religious rituals as it is a metal believed to have a certain energy. Similarly, brass can be used in the manufacture of musical instruments, such as the tuba or the saxophone. It should be mentioned that brass is also used in funeral rituals by manufacturing engraved brass plaques to adorn graves and honor the deceased. And finally, brass is used in the manufacture of wires and electrical components.
What are the types of brass?
Just like other metals, brass also exists in several types which are distinguished from each other by the properties and the different characteristics specific to each type. These are:
- Simple brass: this is brass whose composition has only two metals: copper and zinc. It is this alloy of two metals that gives brass its strength, durability and robustness. Zinc is intended so that the melting point temperature is lower. While copper is used to add a touch of hardness.
- Leaded brass: this is brass where, in addition to zinc and copper, there is also a small percentage of lead. This is added to the composition in order to guarantee more malleability to the brass. It is this quality that makes it used in various manufactures as it is easy to form.
- Special brass: this is brass to which another metal is added in the composition. It can be iron, aluminum, nickel, tin or even silicon. Each metal has its own characteristics and properties that it then transmits to the brass during the alloy. These different compositions are generally adopted for certain specific fabrications.
Of course, there are several other types of brass that can exceed even the twenties. Those mentioned are not the only ones, but they are the best known in the world of brass.
What are the advantages of using brass?
To complete our complete dossier on brass, we will end our article with a brief answer to this question. Brass has several advantages that make it an excellent choice as a crafting metal for different creations. However, there are indeed three advantages that distinguish it from other materials.
- Thanks to its malleability, brass can easily be alloyed with other metals. Which is perfect for giving it new properties that it has no basis for. It is this compatibility that makes it a metal that is quite in demand for preparing various compositions. Thus, thanks to this advantage, it is possible to combine it with certain metals to make it magnetic for example or to increase its resistance to rust and wear. All this boosts its durability to make it a strong metal that will be effectively used in different crafting.
- Brass is also known for its antibacterial characteristics. Its composition causes its molecules to produce ions capable of attacking bacterial organisms. This kills them and limits their spread in a quick and efficient process. It is for this quality that brass is especially and vaguely used in water filtration systems, but also in taps. Thus, you will find it in sinks, taps, faucets…
- A final advantage is that brass has a beautiful design. it is distinguished by its luxurious appearance. With its golden color and luminous reflections, it is ideal for decorative accessories. It helps to add an attractive touch to any creation. Thus, you can easily integrate it into the interior decoration of your space.
