Search the forum,

brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve varying mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other within the same crystal structure.
Brass is similar to bronze, another alloy containing copper that uses tin instead of zinc. Both bronze and brass also may include small proportions of a range of other elements including arsenic, lead, phosphorus, aluminum, manganese, and silicon. Historically, the distinction between the two alloys has been less consistent and clear, and modern practice in museums and archaeology increasingly avoids both terms for historical objects in favor of the more general "copper alloy".Brass has long been a popular material for decoration due to its bright, gold-like appearance; being used for drawer pulls and doorknobs. It has also been widely used to make utensils due to properties such as having a low melting point, high workability (both with hand tools and with modern turning and milling machines), durability, and electrical and thermal conductivity.
Brass is still commonly used in applications where corrosion resistance and low friction are required, such as locks, hinges, gears, bearings, ammunition casings, zippers, plumbing, hose couplings, valves, and electrical plugs and sockets. It is used extensively for musical instruments such as horns and bells, and also used as a substitute for copper in making costume jewelry, fashion jewelry, and other imitation jewelry. The composition of brass, generally 66% copper and 34% zinc, makes it a favorable substitute for copper based jewelry, as it exhibits greater resistance to corrosion. Brass is not suitable for such items as boat propellers because the zinc reacts with minerals in salt water, leaving porous copper behind. The tin in bronze will not react with these minerals.
Brass is often used in situations in which it is important that sparks not be struck, such as in fittings and tools used near flammable or explosive materials.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. J

    Saniflo Waste to Cast Iron Stack

    Hi, Any advice appreciated on connecting a 22mm copper waste to an existing cast stack. I want to run a 22mm copper waste from a saniflo externally approximately 4-6m to connect with an existing cast soil stack at the back of the house. Is there any reason why this would not be possible and...
    • JB99
    • Thread
    • 22mm brass building cast iron copper drainage iron pipe plumber problem saniflo soil stack waste work
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  2. M

    can you just replace the head on a honeywell motorised valve

    hi,got a job with a sticking motorised valve and was wonderin if you can just replace the head on it? its a pretty big system and can see it'll take ages to refill so dont wanna drain down if i can avoid it.
    • moogwai
    • Thread
    • brass cylinder drain flange flow head hep2o honeywell install job leak metal motorised motorised valve radiators refill remove replace sealed system valve valves water
    • Replies: 17
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  3. W

    Changing 20 yr old outside tap

    Pipe rose out of ground, 3/4", I think steel, atop this was one elbow. Straight into this was screwed one ancient looking outside tap. Presuming I've identified it all correctly, what would you choose to do as the simplest method of sticking on a new outside tap? 22mm outside tap, lots of...
  4. C

    Putting a sink on a bathroom stairbox - is it possible??

    Hiya, I am in need of a new bathroom, and in an effort to make more of the space wondered whether it is possible to put a belfast style sink on top of the box from the stairs (is it known as a bulkhead?) The box is currently extended upwards to ceiling as a plasterboarded cupboard, but the...
    • CarolineRx
    • Thread
    • air basin bathroom boiler brass ceiling combi combi boiler copper drain hose install leeds pipe plumber plumbing possible putting sink soil tap wall waste winter work
    • Replies: 13
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  5. K

    Air vs Water - plumbing physics.

    Right, maybe someone can answer this one. After finishing the plumbing for my central heating system, i decided as i had the right kit, to pressurise the loop, in order to check for any major leaks. Cut a long story short, after some major issues with some rubbish brass olives(the ones with 2...
    • k13wjd
    • Thread
    • air air test air to water bar brass central heating copper drain filling loop fitting heating high hose pipe plumbing pressure radio rubber seal system tap test water
    • Replies: 13
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  6. B

    Need a very quiet Toilet fill valve?

    The problem is, that I have to replace the fill valve on my toilet & am looking for a very quiet & reliable toilet fill valve to replace my current valve. This is because bathroom is right next to bedroom & each time its used it’s very noisy when filling up at night & wakes every one up in...
    • books
    • Thread
    • brass button cistern combi combination fill valve float valve flush hammer merchant merchants noise noisy oil plumbing pressure quiet stock toilet valve valves water work
    • Replies: 9
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  7. N

    Speedfit pipe inserts "SuperSeal" question...

    I have a quick question regarding the "SuperSeal" speedfit pipe inserts... Do they really provide a much tighter seal & can they be used in the same speedfit pipes that accept the standard pipe inserts?
    • new_stream
    • Thread
    • brass chrome pipe code copper inserts installation pipe pipes question remove replacement school speedfit stainless system valves
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  8. I

    How to install a brass cold water tap in right angle same time is tight?

    Hi I tring to install a brass water tap on my garden sink, but there is a problem, I add 1-2 layer of seal tape (white color very thin) on screw part of brass tap, turning it into a brass tap connector, then tight it up. The problem is: when the tap and the connector are in tightest position...
    • iwico
    • Thread
    • angle brass cold cold water connector control fix gas install installation job pipe problem right screw seal sink tap taps tight time trade water water tap work yellow
    • Replies: 11
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  9. V

    Stuck Radiator Air Vents .

    I could do with some advice please . We had to drain a heating system today that has about 17 rads in it . About 3 of the rads had air vents that were stuck fast . I tryed different keys but none of them worked . As the vents are in the back i used a mirror to check and some had rounded...
    • verdigrey
    • Thread
    • air brass drain drilling head heating job mains merchants metal pressure price problem radiator screw stuck system tap tools valve vent vents water water pressure work
    • Replies: 8
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  10. E

    Lead pipe from toilet to soil pipe.

    I was surprised when I replaced the toilet just over a week ago. The exit pipe to the soil stack was in lead? The house was built in 1964. Was this common? I would have though this matrial would have been phased out earlier than this. EasyT
  11. J

    Connecting toilet to 15mm copper

    Hi, This is my first piece of plumbing work, so treat me as if I know nothing (which isn't far off!) I want to connect a toilet to the inlet pipe (15mm copper). I have read that a flexible connector is best, but these all look too long. I have no more than a few inches from the top of the...
    • James100
    • Thread
    • 15mm brass cistern cold connect connecting connector copper flexible hose hot novice oil parts pipe pipes plumbing screw tips toilet valve water work
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  12. K

    8mm Boat plumbing

    Heres one for someone who is accustomed to working on the small pipes used in boats and caravans.. I have fitted a bubble tester in my boat to help comply with boat safety regulations.. when I use the tester I get about one bubble every 15 seconds. Nothing too drastic, but one bubble is...
    • krustynutz
    • Thread
    • adaptor boat brass copper fitting fix hose job leak metal plumbing problem regulations rubber safe safety screw seal sealed tee
    • Replies: 14
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  13. W

    Leaking tap under sink

    I am a novice DIYer and so I'll try and explain myself as best as I can. My wife and I have recently moved into a new house. Under the sink where the cold water pipe t's off to the washing machine, rather than having the normal valve/connector, there was a tap - like an outside tap. This was...
    • weltonmark
    • Thread
    • brass check valve cold cold water connector dishwasher fix hot hot water job leaking merchants novice outside tap pipe plumber plumbers pressure remove screw sink tap under valve washer water
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  14. C

    Pipe Wrench

    Hello Can anyone advise be on what pipe wrench to buy, I have decided on Rigid but cannot determine what model to go for. Heavy Duty or Aluminium, what do you guys think/recommend? 18". Link> Wrenches - RIDGID Professional Tools
    • ConorM8350
    • Thread
    • bits brass cheap compression joint fitting job jobs pipe pipe fitting plumbers plumbing tee tools valves wide work wrench
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  15. R

    Noisy pipes

    My brother in law has a toilet which in his words "screeches" when flushed. I presume he means the pipework to the cistern is making the racket when refilling. If he turns the bath taps on in the same bathroom at the same time it doesn't happen. Any idea's?
    • RonnieR
    • Thread
    • bar bath brass fix high job macerator mains noise noisy noisy pipes pipe pipes pressure problem tap toilet valve valves washer water water pressure
    • Replies: 28
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  16. I

    Y Plan with 1 Rad Getting Hot!!??

    I have recently replaced a 3 port diverter valve (head & Valve), however I had a call back today as the custmer was complaing that one of the rads was still getting hot when the HW is on. I carried out some fault logic on the diverter valve and it is operating correctly. I did leave it on for...
    • ISM
    • Thread
    • air bathroom brass cheap cold cylinder dhw diverter valve getting head heating hot hot water pipe pipes plumber problem radiator system tap tee towel rail valve water y plan
    • Replies: 13
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  17. E

    Using I have22mm to 15mm compression reducing set

    used these sets before but can't reecall any problems. I am using a reducing set as I need to come off a 22mm elbow. Obviously the 22mm end is no problem. With the 15mm do I just tighten up ? The olive will make a seal on the 15mm pipe. Do I need to do anything else to ensure a seal with the...
    • easyt
    • Thread
    • 15mm 22mm brass check valve compression fitting pipe pipes plumbing reduced reducing remove seal spanner supply test tiles toilet using valve valves water
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  18. J

    Pipe material?

    What material is this pipe coming in? Lead? If so, should it be replaced?
  19. S

    quick question on parts

    hi all i am moving house soon :D (been looking for 4 years:( ) and will be taking my gas cooker with me got a gas man doing the work for me (as need a ticket for the landlord) he has told me to get the bits but not which bits so which bits do i need so far i know i need 15mm tube isolating...
    • simon m
    • Thread
    • adaptor bits brass cooker gas gas safe installation job law parts pipe plug problem question quick safe test work
    • Replies: 10
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  20. W

    Leak on service valve.

    Hi, Is there any reason why an isolating service valve w/ fibre washer should struggle to make a seal where it connects to the thread of a part 2 ball valve? First one I tried dribbled. Second one did too. So wrapped some PTFE round ball-valve thread and got it in the end. Pretty sure...
    • WaterTight
    • Thread
    • adaptor brass connector high inside leak parts pipe problem rubber seal service tap taps tips valve valves washer water work
    • Replies: 20
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.

Newest Plumbing Threads

Tile Advice
Tiling Forum UK
Tilers Forums UK
Tiling Tools
Contractor Advice Forum
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock