Brass

Brass is best known for musical instruments due to its superb acoustic properties. Because of its resistance to corrosion and anti-bacterial qualities, it is used widely in applications that are exposed to water and moisture, such as bathroom pipes and fittings. Ordinary brass metal is not ideal for marine or coastal situations, since the zinc reacts with the minerals in seawater, but specialised marine brass metals (containing a proportion of tin) avoids this problem.

Brass is a yellow alloy of copper and zinc – usually two-thirds copper and one-third zinc. It has a low melting point, excellent workability (it is a famously ‘soft’ metal) by both hand and turning or milling machines and it has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Brass metal is also resistant to most typical forms of corrosion and creates low-friction surfaces.

Brass is very malleable and can be flattened into very thin sheets without breaking or cracking. It also has a high machinability – this means that it can be easily cut and reshaped without compromising on the strength and density of the metal itself.

Brass has a relatively low melting point, falling between 900 and 940 degrees Celsius. This characteristic makes it easier to work with compared to many other metals, as it requires less energy and heat to reach a workable state. Beyond this, brass is also valued for its malleability. In fact, it is one of the most malleable metals that can be used in the welding process, making it highly adaptable for different applications. It can be welded not only to itself but also to other metals, creating a strong and sturdy joint that is both reliable and durable. This combination of a manageable melting point and excellent malleability makes brass a popular choice across a variety of industries.

We can supply brass in a wide range of forms to suit our customers’ demands. This includes brass sheet metal in a variety of thicknesses and to custom dimensions. We can also supply drawn brass rods with a round, square or hexagonal section, and brass round tubes. Our range also includes flat brass metal strips and angled strips. All these products can be supplied in various standard circumferences and widths, and to a customer’s required lengths, ensuring minimal wastage of unused metal.