Brass is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, especially from ammonia or substances containing

or releasing ammonia. The problem is sometimes known as season cracking after it was first
discovered in brass cartridge cases used for rifle ammunition during the 1920s in the Indian Army.
The problem was caused by high residual stresses from cold forming of the cases during
manufacture, together with chemical attack from traces of ammonia in the atmosphere. The
cartridges were stored in stables and the ammonia concentration rose during the hot summer
months, thus initiating brittle cracks. The problem was resolved by annealing the cases, and storing
the cartridges elsewhere.

The most common example is selective leaching of zinc from brass alloys containing more than
15% zinc (dezincification) in presence of oxygen and moisture, e.g. from brass taps in chlorine-
containing water. It is believed that both copper and zinc gradually dissolved out simultaneously and
copper precipitates back from the solution. The material remaining is a copper-rich sponge with poor
mechanical properties, and color changed from yellow to red. Dezincification can be caused by
water containing sulfur, carbon dioxide andoxygen. Stagnant or low velocity waters tend to promote
dezincification. To combat this, arsenic or tin can be added to brass, or gunmetal can be used
instead. Dezincification resistant brass (DZR), also known as Brass C352,
[1]
is an alloy used to
make pipe fittings for use with potable water. Plumbing fittings that are resistant to dezincification are
appropriately marked, with the letters "CR" (Corrosion Resistant) or DZR (dezincification resistant) in
the UK, and the letters "DR" (dezincification resistant) in Australia.