Description
An alloy of copper and zinc that is harder and stronger than copper. The earliest known brass (calamine brass) was made by heating zinc ore in the presence of pieces of copper. Brass was made in India and Mesopotamia as early as 1000 BCE and in Europe since Roman times. By the 5th century in Europe, brass had surpassed the use of bronze for domestic items, hardware and decoration. The color and flexibility of bronze vary with composition. As the proportion of zinc increases, the color becomes lighter, e.g. color (%zinc): bronze (10%), golden (15%), yellow (20-40%) and silvery (45%). The melting point of a 95% copper-5% zinc is about 1065 C but this temperature drops down to 880 C when the proportion changes to 50% copper-50% zinc. Maximum strength is obtained at 55% copper and maximum ductility occurs with 70% copper. Some variations are (% zinc): violet brass (0.05%), gilding metal (5-15%), jewelry bronze (12.5%), red brass (15%), common or yellow brass (25-36%), Muntz metal (40%), and white brass (66%). Below 36% zinc, brass has good mechanical properties; it is strong, malleable, ductile and corrosion resistant. Slight additions of other metals can change the properties: iron hardens brass, lead improves machinability, tin increases corrosion resistance and manganese, silicon and nickel increase strength.
See also admiralty metal, aluminum brass, red brass, yellow brass, Muntz metal.
Synonyms and Related Terms
orichalcum; aurichalcum; messing (Ned.); Messing(Deut.); laiton (Fr.); ottone (It.); latão (Port.) latón (Esp.); mässing (Sven.); Aich's metal; cook metal; red brass; yellow brass; Muntz metal; English brass; green brass; ormolu; pinchbeck; Sterro metal; white tombac; cartridge brass;
Hazards and Safety
Flammable in powdered form. May cause allergic reactions in some people.
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Last updated on: 6/26/2009 10:01:39 AM
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