What is Brass Alloy?
Brass alloy is the general name of the yellow alloy obtained by adding zinc to copper. It is known as the alloy most similar to gold. There are 60 known brass compound. White brass containing less than 55% copper cannot be easily processed. They can only be powdered and used in brazing. Malleable brasses are generally cold brittle alpha brasses with more than 62% copper and less copper brass and require hot treatment.
Alpha brass has superior cold processing properties and is widely used in bolt, pin and screw making. Beta rice is more durable. They are especially used in the manufacture of faucet valves, door and window handles and some fittings.
The third group of brasses are alloys whose properties are improved with other elements. For example, aluminum brass is corrosion resistant. Leaded rice is easy to process. Tinned rice is resistant to the corrosion effect of sea water.
Copper is a red metal. Zinc is added to the color. As the percentage of zinc in the brass increases, the color approaches from red to golden yellow. The zinc content can be estimated from the color of the brass.
Brass, copper and zinc alloy. The zinc content in an industrial alloy is at most 46%. Brass coating is a process based on the deposition of a thin layer of brass by electrolysis to the surface of a part.
Brass is the most commonly used copper alloy. Its history dates back to the 51st century. In fact, even in times when zinc was not known, this alloy was prepared by the method called SEMENTATION. The copper crumbs were heated in the crucible with zinc oxide (zinc carbonate ore calamine) and coal, the zinc formed by reducing the oxide was dispersed into the copper and generally a 20% zinc melted alloy was obtained.
Properties of Brass Alloy
- Multi-shaped sheet and wire forming, mechanical resistance;
- Resistance to the corrosive effect of the atmosphere;
- Melting and casting ease
- Low cost price, especially due to the addition of zinc, an inexpensive mine.
- In addition, the brilliance and color of some brasses turn into yellow when the color of brass increases from red to pink and zinc content increases to 30-40%.
Are There Different Types Of Brass?
The most important feature of brass casting is that zinc easily oxidizes and emits white zinc oxide fumes; therefore, it is necessary to carefully protect the surface of the bathroom. Depending on the composition, brass is processed in cold or hot: Brass with a zinc percentage of less than 10 (alpha phase) and more than 38 are usually processed in heat; 10 to 38% zinc added brass changes shape in the cold (beta phase)
- Ordinary Brass
Common brass with up to 20% zinc in its composition is used in jewelery and jewelry making, for the production of small decorative pieces (Paris bronze, gold imitation, bingo, chrysocal). Zinc percentages between 28 and 36 are malleable alloys; The most important of these is the pulling brass used in the construction of cartridge cases or lamp holders (67-33). Those with a zinc content of 40 percent or more are metal removal brass (60-40). For easy machining on automatic machine tools, 1% lead is usually added.
- Special Brass
In order to increase mechanical resistance and abrasion resistance, elements such as tin, aluminum, iron, nickel, manganese are added to the brass at a rate of 1% to 5%. These alloys form high-strength brasses and are sometimes mistakenly called high-strength bronzes. In these brass, the breaking load reaches 50kg / mm2 and elongation reaches 30%; whereas in common brasses the same qualities are 40% / mm2 ‘with 30%. They are used in particular in the form of machined parts (condenser and heat exchanger pipes) or in the form of castings (valves, taps, craters for pressurized gases and liquids) that require a great seal with high mechanical resistance. The only heat treatment that can be done on industrial brass is annealing.
- Admiral Brass
It contains 30% zinc and 1% tin. Tin is an element that helps to prevent the de-zinc reaction.
- Alpha Brass
It contains less than 35% zinc, is fusible, can be cold worked and forged. It contains only one phase (surface-centered cubic crystal structure).
- Alpha-Beta Brass
Also called two-phase brass. It contains 35-45% zinc and is suitable for hot processing. It contains both alpha and beta phases; The beta phase has a shape-centered crystal structure and is harder and stronger than the alpha phase. Alpha-beta rice is usually hot-treated.
- Aluminum-based Brass
Aluminum contributes to increase corrosion resistance.
- Beta Brass
It contains 45-50% zinc, it is treated as hot only, and it is harder, stronger and suitable for casting.
- Common Brass or Rivet Brass
It contains 38% zinc, is cheap and suitable for cold processing.
- High Copper Ratio Brass
It contains 65% copper and 35% zinc, has high tensile strength and is widely used in making springs, bolts and rivets.
- Leaded Brass
Alpha beta is obtained by adding lead to the brass alloy. Machinability is increased due to the presence of lead. (provides easy chip removal.)
- Low Zinc Alloy Brass
It contains 20% zinc and has a light gold color. It has excellent ductility and is preferred in flexible places such as metal hoses.
- Teal Brass
It is close to admiral brass, containing 40% zinc and 1% tin.
- Red Braass
CuZnSn is the American term for the alloy. It is also called gun metal.
- White Brass
It contains 50% zinc and is very brittle for general use.
- Yellow Brass
It is the American term for alloys containing 33% zinc.
As you can see, the brass alloy is very durable and robust. Brass alloy is used especially in belt buckle manufacturing. www.eykametal.com/belt-buckle-manufacturers/. The brass alloy used in the production of men’s belt buckles is widely used. In addition to brass alloy, zinc alloy is used for making belt buckles. Eyka Metal is of the largest belt buckle supplier & manufacturer of the Turkey. We also made custom belt buckles for men. We have the potential to export anywhere in the world. For more information, please www.eykametal.com/contact-us/ us.
For more; www.eykametal.com/custom-belt-buckles/