The Mysteries of Brass Alloys: 15 little-known Secrets

The definition and characteristics of simple brass, and the influence of different zinc content on brass performance.

Simple brass, also known as common brass, is a binary alloy of copper and zinc. In general, simple brasses with higher zinc content have higher strength but relatively low plasticity. In industrial applications, the zinc content of brass is generally not more than 45%, because too high zinc content will cause the alloy to become brittle and the performance will be reduced. Brass with different mechanical properties can be obtained by changing the content of zinc in brass. For example, brass with a zinc content of more than 46% to 50% cannot be processed under pressure due to its hard and brittle properties.

Multi-alloy fusion of special brass, introducing performance changes brought about by different elements.

In order to improve the performance of brass, engineers introduced other alloying elements, which resulted in the formation of special brass. These commonly used alloying elements include silicon, aluminum, tin, lead, manganese, iron, and nickel.

• Aluminum: The addition of aluminum can improve the yield strength and corrosion resistance of brass, although it will slightly reduce its plasticity. Brass containing no more than 4% aluminum shows excellent comprehensive properties and is suitable for processing and casting.
• Tin: Adding 1% tin can significantly improve the ability of brass to resist seawater and Marine atmosphere corrosion, so it is known as "navy brass"; Tin can also improve the cutting performance of brass.
• Lead: The main purpose of adding lead to brass is to improve cutting performance and improve wear resistance, and lead has little impact on the strength of brass.
• Manganese: Manganese brass shows good mechanical properties, thermal stability and corrosion resistance, and the addition of aluminum can further improve its properties to create a smooth surface casting.
• Silicon: Silicon can significantly improve the mechanical properties, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of brass. Silicon brass has good casting properties and can be welded and cut. Mainly used in the manufacture of ship and chemical machinery parts.
• Iron: Adding iron to brass and adding a small amount of manganese can improve the recrystallization temperature of brass and refine the grain, improve the mechanical properties, and make brass have high toughness, wear resistance and excellent corrosion resistance in the atmosphere and seawater, so iron brass can be used to manufacture parts that are subjected to friction and corrosion by seawater.
• Nickel: Nickel can increase the recrystallization temperature of brass and refine its grains, improve mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, and reduce the stress corrosion cracking tendency. Nickel brass has good thermal processing properties and is widely used in shipbuilding industry and motor manufacturing industry.

Multifaceted and different proportions of copper and zinc composition diversity.

Common brass is not a single material, but an alloy of copper and zinc in different proportions, which gives it a variety of properties. The combination of copper and zinc in different proportions makes common brass show a variety of changes in performance and become an indispensable material in the engineering field.

Characteristics and suitable processing methods of single-phase and biphase brass.

When the zinc content in brass is less than 39%, the alloy presents a single-phase structure and is called single-phase brass. This type of brass has excellent plasticity and is suitable for hot and cold pressure processing. When the zinc content exceeds 39%, the alloy will have both a single-phase and a copper-zinc-based solid solution, known as biphase brass. Biphase brass is characterized by less plasticity but higher tensile strength and is therefore suitable for hot pressure processing. Engineers can choose the right type of common brass for their specific needs.

Code representation of common brass.

Common brass is represented in the form of "H + number", where the "H" represents the brass and the following number represents the mass fraction of the copper. For example, H68 represents brass with 68% copper and 32% zinc. For cast brass, the letter "Z" is usually added before the designation, such as ZH62. This simple and clear nomenclature helps engineers quickly identify the materials they need.

Application differentiation of cold deformation and hot deformation processing.

In engineering, common brass plays a key role in different machining processes. Under normal circumstances, single-phase brass is suitable for cold deformation processing, while biphase brass is suitable for hot deformation processing. This distinction reflects the diversity of common brass and ensures the selection and application of materials for different engineering needs.

A wide range of applications.

The variety and excellent properties of common brass make it suitable for a wide range of applications in various fields. In electrical engineering, it is used to make efficient wires, cables and circuit boards, ensuring efficient transmission of electrical signals. In addition, common brass plays an important role in the manufacturing industry, being processed into a variety of parts and connectors, from the automotive industry to the construction sector, common brass plays an integral role.

Performance advantages, such as price, high strength and hardness, good plasticity, etc.

H59 brass alloy as a member of the brass family, the price is close to the people, is one of its significant advantages. It performs well in terms of strength and hardness, can withstand large external forces, and has good plasticity, and can still withstand pressure processing well in hot state. This makes H59 brass have a wide range of applications in industrial manufacturing, hardware accessories and other fields. For example, in the manufacture of machine parts, welding parts and various copper products, H59 brass can play its unique performance advantages.

Lack of corrosion resistance and lifting methods.

The corrosion resistance of H59 brass is average, which is slightly less than that of some advanced alloys. However, through reasonable surface treatment measures, can effectively improve its corrosion resistance. Such as galvanizing, nickel plating or coating anti-corrosion coatings, these methods can make H59 brass suitable for a wider range of applications. Although corrosion resistance is not its strongest point, H59 brass is a cost-effective choice in many non-extreme corrosive environments, given its cost effectiveness.

Contrast with H62 brass.

H59 brass and H62 brass have many similarities in performance, such as good machining performance and certain corrosion resistance. But there are also significant differences between the two, H62 brass generally contains a higher copper content, which makes it exhibit better electrical and thermal conductivity in some respects, but the strength and hardness may be slightly reduced. In terms of chemical composition, the copper content of H59 brass is between 57.0% and 60.0%, and the zinc content is higher. The average copper content of H62 brass is as high as 62%, and the zinc content is a surplus. In the field of application, H59 brass is often used in machine parts, welding parts and decorative copper products because of its high strength and high hardness; Because of its good plasticity and toughness, H62 brass is widely used in parts that need to be bent, such as water pipe joints, radiators and so on. In terms of process performance, H59 brass casting, cutting, welding, hot pressing processing, cold pressing processing are not a word; Although H62 brass also has these good techniques, it is more likely to produce hot brittleness during hot pressing, and the processing temperature needs to be strictly controlled.

Good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

H90 and H96 brass, as common brass alloys, exhibit excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. H90 brass contains a high copper content, has good electrical and thermal conductivity, and is often used in the manufacture of electrical contacts, electrical insulation materials and conductive parts. It has excellent mechanical properties and pressure processing properties, slightly higher strength, good surface treatment performance, can be gold-plated and coated enamel, is the main material of bullet shell. H90 brass has outstanding mechanical function and corrosion resistance, can withstand hot and cold pressing processing, and simple tin plating, mainly used in radiator hot and cold pipe material and radiator wave belt. H96 brass contains a high zinc content, has good processability and wear resistance, and is often used in the manufacture of mechanical parts, valves, pipes and bolts. H96 brass has excellent mechanical properties, tensile strength ≥340 MPa, yield strength ≥180 MPa, elongation ≥30%, hardness 75-100 HB. At the same time, H96 brass also has good physical properties, such as good electrical and thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity of about 28% IACS, thermal conductivity of about 120 W/m · K. In addition, H96 brass has good corrosion resistance, especially in atmospheric and freshwater environments. H90 and H96 brass have good plasticity and processing properties, and can be processed into various shapes of parts by forging, cold drawing, rolling and other processes, suitable for complex machining and precision machining. They can work stably in wet, acidic or alkaline environments for a long time, and can withstand high temperature, wear and fatigue, suitable for a variety of harsh working environments.

Different application areas, H90 is often used in the electrical field, H96 is used in mechanical manufacturing and so on.

H90 brass is often used in the electrical field because of its good electrical and thermal conductivity. For example, the manufacture of electrical contacts, electrical insulation materials and conductive parts. H96 brass is often used in the field of mechanical manufacturing because of its good processability and wear resistance. H96 brass alloy rods, due to their high strength and ductility, are commonly used in the manufacture of mechanical parts, gears, bolts and other parts requiring wear resistance. H96 brass alloy pipe because of its good electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, widely used in air conditioning, refrigerators and other refrigeration equipment pipe system, but also used in shipbuilding and chemical equipment. H96 brass alloy strips are commonly used in the manufacture of electronic components, connectors, and decorative parts. H96 brass alloy plates are used in the manufacture of instruments, decorative plates and various mechanical parts.

Detailed composition, including copper, zinc and a small amount of impurities content range.

The main components of H96 brass are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), of which the copper content is 95.0%-97.0%, and the zinc content is 2.0%-4.0%. It also contains a small amount of impurities, such as lead (Pb), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), etc., and its content is generally less than 0.1%.

Mechanical properties, physical properties and corrosion resistance parameters.

In terms of mechanical properties, H96 brass has excellent properties. Tensile strength ≥340 MPa, yield strength ≥180 MPa, elongation ≥30%, hardness 75-100 HB. In terms of physical properties, H96 brass has good electrical and thermal conductivity, with a conductivity of about 28% IACS and a thermal conductivity of about 120 W/m · K. Good corrosion resistance, especially in atmospheric and freshwater environments.

Application of different forms in various industries.

• H96 brass alloy rods, due to their high strength and ductility, are commonly used in the manufacture of mechanical parts, gears, bolts and other parts requiring wear resistance. The standard diameter range is usually between 3mm and 100mm, and the length can be customized on demand.
• H96 brass alloy pipe because of its good electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, widely used in air conditioning, refrigerators and other refrigeration equipment pipe system, but also used in shipbuilding and chemical equipment. Standard diameters range from 6mm to 200mm.
• H96 brass alloy strips are commonly used in the manufacture of electronic components, connectors, and decorative parts. The standard thickness ranges from 0.1mm to 3mm, and the width can be customized according to requirements.
• H96 brass alloy plates are used in the manufacture of instruments, decorative plates and various mechanical parts. The standard thickness ranges from 0.2mm to 10mm, and the width and length can be customized according to customer requirements.

Brass alloys have significant environmental value, mainly in terms of their recyclability. As an alloy material, brass can be recycled after use to reduce resource waste and reduce the burden on the environment.

Recycling and reusing waste brass not only conforms to the pursuit of environmental protection in modern society, but also provides strong support for sustainable development. Waste brass can go through a series of treatment processes, such as collection and classification, cleaning treatment, crushing and crushing, separation treatment, smelting and other steps to achieve the recycling of resources.

In the collection and classification stage, waste items containing brass, such as old mechanical parts and electronic equipment, are collected and different types of brass alloys are identified. Cleaning treatment can remove dirt, grease and other impurities on the brass surface and prepare for subsequent treatment. Crushing and crushing the brass material is broken into small pieces for easy separation and handling. By proper separation methods, such as magnetic separation, flotation, spectral analysis, etc., the brass material can be separated from other impurities and different metals. Finally, the brass material is sent to the smelter for high temperature melting to remove impurities and get the recycled brass alloy.

For the recovered brass alloy material, it is also necessary to conduct composition analysis and quality testing to ensure that it meets the standards for reuse. Depending on market demand, these recycled brass alloys can be reused to produce new brass products, forming a closed-loop cycle and further reducing dependence on natural resources.

In conclusion, the recyclability of brass alloys makes them play an important role in environmental protection, contributing to the construction of a sustainable society.

With the continuous progress of science and technology and the continuous development of various industries, the performance and application fields of brass alloys will continue to expand, bringing new opportunities for the future.

In terms of technology, with the continuous advancement of new material research and development, the performance of brass alloys will be further improved. For example, by adding different alloying elements, the strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and other properties of brass can be improved to meet the needs of a wider range of applications. At the same time, the improvement of the production process and the development of intelligent manufacturing will improve the production efficiency and product quality of brass alloys and reduce production costs.

In the field of application, with the continuous development of automotive, mechanical manufacturing, electronic equipment and other industries, the demand for high-strength wear-resistant brass alloys will continue to grow. For example, in the automotive industry, with the increasing demand for lightweight vehicles and energy saving and emission reduction, the application of high-strength wear-resistant brass alloys in the field of automotive parts will continue to expand. In the electronic equipment industry, with the acceleration of the replacement of electronic equipment, the demand for brass alloys with good electrical and thermal conductivity will continue to grow.

In addition, with the strengthening of environmental protection policies and the improvement of consumer requirements for environmental protection, the production process of brass alloys will pay more attention to environmental protection and energy saving. For example, the use of clean energy, reduce waste emissions and other green production technologies will become an important development trend in the future brass alloy industry.

In short, the future of brass alloys is promising, and the continuous expansion of performance and application areas will bring new opportunities and challenges for various industries.