Copper-tin-manganese alloys, also known as brass in short, are a combination of metals with ancient history aro关nd the world. As one of the earliest alloys used by humans, brass has been used in many different places and times, such as jewelry, tools, and coins.
Mixed, it is a brownish-yellow base metal composed of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and manganese (Mn). An alloy that is made up of these metals is said to contain up to 60% copper, up to 40% tin, and up to 4% manganese. Copper is the primary component of brass, giving the alloy its strength and hardness. Tin acts as an alloying agent, which increases the strength and slightly increases the hardness of the alloy. Lastly, manganese helps to regulate the colour and grain size of products made from this alloy.
One of the notable features of brass is its resistances. It is highly corrosion-resistant compared to many other metals and even stainless steel. Its purity, high thermal conductivity, low friction, low electrical resistivity, and tin content all play a factor in its corrosion resistance. By resisting corrosion, the brass is the ideal choice for extreme environment, such as application in the automotive industry and marine equipment.
In addition to its corrosion-resistant properties, brass is also quite malleable. This makes it an ideal choice for many applications that require continuously surfaces when formed and shaped.
Lastly, brass is an inexpensive choice compared to other metals. It provides cost effectiveness while still offering enough strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance to last in most scenarios.
With the multitude of benefits brass possesses, the alloy is the ideal choice both in engineering and construction. Due to the properties previously mentioned and its cost-effectiveness, brass is a mainstay in the automotive, plumbing, and marine industries. In terms of engineering, brass is used in the production of pipes, valves, fasteners, and pumps. In terms of construction, brass is used as ornamentation, such as doorknobs, fixtures, and furniture. In some cases, brass is even used in the manufacturing of electronics and ammunition.
Overall, the combination of copper, tin, and manganese makes for an ideal all-round metallic mixture, with an ancient history and many modern industrial usages. For the above mentioned qualities and benefits, brass has been and is still being used globally by many different industries.
