What metal is mixed with copper to make brass? Brass is an alloy of zinc with copper. The two metals can also be mixed with other alloying elements, creating a yellowish metal formerly known as poor man's gold. There are several different types of brass alloys, where the different compositions have been developed to suit different products and purposes.
Variants of brass
Among the brass alloys that have a high copper content are Muntz metal, pinsback, tombak and prince metal. An alloy similar to brass in appearance is used to produce our Swedish ten kroner and euro coins. It is called Nordic gold and consists mostly of copper, as well as smaller amounts of zinc, aluminum and tin.
Areas of use for brass
Brass is a malleable material used to produce, among other things, brass instruments, scissor loops, ornaments, jewellery, piping, fittings and covers. The yellow metal is easy to hammer, cast and stretch. It can also be alloyed with lead or tin, which increases the hardness of the material. Then it is easier to cast different objects. Historically, brass has been used for lighting fixtures and objects used for heating. Household utensils were often made of brass and were used for serving and cooking. It is still common to have various household items made of brass as decoration at home.
Lead in brass
It is customary to mix lead into brass alloys to create a better surface finish and improve machinability. This reduces tool wear and improves chip breaking. But recently, society has gained a better understanding of the importance of sustainability in production processes. Lead has a harmful effect on the environment and people. Therefore, more and newer alloys have been developed with a lower proportion of lead. Today, it is common for brass to be recycled, and if there is already lead in the scrap, this can be reused in the production of new brass. The new alloys are not worse but require new production methods.
