Brass

Many different types of “Brass”

Admiralty brass

contains 30% zinc and 1% tin which inhibits dezincification in most environments.

Alpha brasses

(Prince's metal), with less than 35% zinc, are malleable, can be worked cold, and are used in pressing, forging, or similar. They contain only one phase, with face-centered cubic crystal structure.

Alpha-beta brass

(Muntz metal), also called duplex brass, is 35-45 % zinc and is suited for hot working. It contains both α and β' phase; the β'-phase is body-centered cubic and is harder and stronger than α. Alpha-beta brasses are usually worked hot.

Aluminum brass

contains aluminum, which improves its corrosion resistance.

Arsenical brass

contains an addition of arsenic and frequently aluminum and is used for boiler fireboxes.

Beta brasses

with 45-50 % zinc content, can only be worked hot, and are harder, stronger, and suitable for casting.

Cartridge brass

Is a 30% zinc brass with good cold working properties.

Common brass, rivet brass,

Is a 37% zinc brass, cheap and standard for cold working.

High brass

contains 65% copper and 35% zinc, has a high tensile strength and is used for springs, screws, rivets.

Leaded brass

Is an alpha-beta brass with an addition of lead. It has excellent machinability.

Low brass

Is a copper-zinc alloy containing 20% zinc with a light golden color, excellent ductility and is used for flexible metal hoses and metal bellows.

Naval brass

similar to admiralty brass, is a 40% zinc brass and 1% tin.

Red brass is an American term for CuZnSn alloy known as gunmetal.

White brass contains more than 50 % zinc and is too brittle for general use.

Yellow brass is an American term for 33% zinc brass.