Brass is an alloy consisting of copper and zinc. It is harder, stronger, and sturdier than copper, and it has excellent decorative qualities. Brass has a long history, with archaeological evidence of its use as early as 10,000 BC. It is one of the oldest metals known to man and has been used extensively in industry, from the construction of various copper objects to coins and jewelry.
The earliest brass was produced by melting and fusing copper and zinc together. In order to do this, the copper and zinc had to be heated to very high temperatures (roughly 800°C or 1472°F). This process is known as smelting and it was often done in special furnaces designed specifically for this process. This type of furnace basically consisted of a hearth surrounded by walls of an outer chamber, which contained air vents. Inside the furnace, fuel such as charcoal or wood was burned to supply the heat necessary to melt the metals and fuse them together.
Once the copper and zinc were melted and fused together, they were left to cool down and solidify. The finished product was then either cast into a shape, pounded or drawn into a shape depending on the desired object.
The oldest evidence of brassmaking comes from Southern Turkey where 9,000 year-old copper beads were found that were alloyed with zinc. In other parts of the world, evidence of brass use has been found in the Middle East, China, and Egypt. In Egypt, there is evidence of its use as early as 4,000 BC in coins, jewelry, and objects.
Today the process of producing brass has changed somewhat from its original smelting process. Instead of using a furnace, brass can now be made in a variety of ways, such as melting and fusing in an electric furnace, by casting, and by pressure sealing. Pressure sealing is a more modern method of making brass where the metals are pressurized and heated until they combine. Regardless of the method of production, it is clear that brass is still just as essential today as it was during its early history.
Brass is used in a variety of applications, such as in plumbing fixtures, jewelry, decoration, and even in musical instruments. It is a strong and durable metal that is easy to shape and form. In addition, brasss complex alloy makes it resistant to corrosion, as well as creating a bright and attractive finish that is perfect for decorative pieces. It is also popularly used in machining and welding, making it a very versatile material.
