FACULTY OF MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING

MATERIAL SCIENCE
SKMM2613
ASSIGNMENT : BRASS ALLOY

NAME : MUHAMMAD FADHIL BIN JAMALUDIN

NO. MATRIC : A14KM0121
IC NO. : 950912-05-5231
LECTURER’S NAME : DR. MUHAMAD AZIZI BIN MAT YAJID

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is brass ?.........................................................................................................3
1.2 Raw material………………………………………………………………………3
1.2.1 Copper……………………………………………………………………….3
1.2.2 Zinc………………………………………………………………………….4
1.3 Standard specification………………………………………………………….….5
1.4 Design……………………………………………………………………….….....5
1.5 Properties……………………………………………………………………....….6
1.6 Quality control……………………………………………………………….……7
1.7 The future……………………………………………………………………..…...7

2. PHASE DIAGRAM
2.1 Brass alloy phase diagram……………………………………………………...…8
2.1.1 Solidification brass alloy below 37.6 wt% Zn…………………………….…11
2.1.2 Solidification brass alloy above 37.6 wt% Zn………………………….……11
2.1.3 Eutectic and peritectic point………………………………………..………...12

3. METHOD OF IMPROVEMENT
3.1 Basic strength of brass alloy………….…………………………………….……13
3.2 Work hardening of brass………………………………………...………….……14
3.3 Annealing of brass………………………………………………………………15

4. APPLICATION OF BRASS
4.1 Fastened part………….……………………………………………………….…16
4.2 Musical instrument…………………………………………………………….…17
4.3 Gas valve and fitting…………………………………………………….…….…17
4.4 Fireboxes and marine environment……………………………………...…….…18
4.5 Condenser and heat exchanger…………………………………………….…….19
4.6 Decorative object…………………………………………………………..….…19

5. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………...….20

6. REFERENCES ……………………………………………………………………...21

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 1. Introduction

1.1 What is Brass ?

Brass is a metal which is combination primarily of copper and zinc. The main component of

brass is copper, and brass is usually classified as a copper alloy. The color of brass varies from a

dark reddish brown to a light silvery yellow depending on the amount of zinc present. This

means that the more zinc, the lighter the color. Brass is a kind of substitutional alloy. Brass is

usually used for decoration because of its bright gold-like appearance. This application includes

for low friction is required such as locks, gears, bearings, doorknobs, ammunition, valves for

plumbing, electrical applications, and extensively in musical instruments such as horns and bells

for its acoustic properties. It is also used in zippers. Because it is softer than most other metals in

general use, brass is often used in situations where it is important that sparks not be struck, as in

fittings and tools around explosive gases.

1.2 Raw material

1.2.1 Copper

Figure 1: Copper element

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The main element of brass is copper and the amount of copper can be between 55% to 95% by

weight depending on the type of brass and its intended use. Brasses containing a high percentage

of copper are made from electrically refined copper that is at least 99.3% pure to minimize the

amount of other materials. Brasses containing a lower percentage of copper can also be made

from electrically refined copper, but are more commonly made from less-expensive recycled

copper alloy scrap. When recycled scrap is used, the percentages of copper and other materials in

the scrap must be known so that the manufacturer can adjust the amounts of materials to be

added in order to achieve the desired brass composition.

1.2.2 Zinc

Figure 2 : Zinc element

The second component of brass is zinc. The amount of zinc varies between 5% and 40% by

weight depending on the type of brass. Brasses with a higher percentages of zinc are stronger and

harder, but they are also more difficult to form and have less corrosion resistance. The zinc used

to make brass is a commercial grade sometimes known as spelter.

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Some brasses also contain small percentages of other materials to improve certain characteristics.

Up to 3.8% by weight of lead may be added to improve machinability which means the brass

will have good surface finish, long tool life, low force and power requirement, and low cost. The

addition of tin improves corrosion resistance. Iron makes the brass harder and makes the internal

grain structure smaller so that the metal can be shaped by repeated impacts in a process called

forging. Arsenic and antimony are sometimes added to brasses that contain more than 20% zinc

in order to inhibit corrosion. Other materials that may be used in very small amounts are

manganese, silicon and phosphorus.

1.3 Standard specification

The traditional names for various types of brass usually reflected either the color of the material

or the intended use. For example, red brass contained 15% zinc and had a reddish color, while

yellow brass contained 35% zinc and had a yellowish color. Cartridge brass contained 30% zinc

and was used to make cartridges for firearms. Naval brasses had up to 39.7% zinc and were used

in various applications on ships.

Unfortunately, scattered among the traditional brass names were a number of misnomers. Brass

with 10% zinc was called commercial bronze, even though it did not contain any tin and was not

a bronze. Brass with 40% zinc and 3.8% lead was called architectural bronze, even though it was

actually a leaded brass.

As a result of these sometimes confusing names, brasses in the United States are now designated

by the Unified Numbering System for metals and alloys. This system uses a letter, in this case

the letter "C" for copper, because brass is a copper alloy, followed by five digits. Brasses whose

chemical composition makes them suitable for being formed into the final product by mechanical

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methods, such as rolling or forging, are called wrought brasses, and the first digit of their

designation is I through 7. Brasses whose chemical composition makes them suitable for being

formed into the final product by pouring molten metal into a mold are called cast brasses, and the

first digit of their designation is 8 or 9.

1.4 Properties

The malleability and acoustic properties of brass have made it the metal of choice for brass

musical instruments such as the trombone, tuba, trumpet, cornet, euphonium, tenor horn, French

horn, and snare drum. Even though the saxophone is classified as a woodwind instrument and the

harmonica is a free reed aerophone, both are also often made from brass. In organ pipes of the

reed family, brass strips (called tongues) are used as the reeds, which beat against the shallot (or

beat "through" the shallot in the case of a "free" reed).

Brass has higher malleability than bronze or zinc. The relatively low melting point of brass 900

to 940°C, depending on composition and its flow characteristics make it a relatively easy

material to cast. By varying the proportions of copper and zinc, the properties of the brass can be

changed, allowing hard and soft brasses. The density of brass is approximately 8400 to 8730

kilograms per cubic meter (equivalent to 8.4 to 8.73 grams per cubic centimeter).

Today almost 90% of all brass alloys are recycled. Because brass is not ferromagnetic, it can be

separated from ferrous scrap by passing the scrap near a powerful magnet. Brass scrap is

collected and transported to the foundry where it is melted and recast into billets. Billets are

heated and extruded into the desired form and size.

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Aluminium makes brass stronger and more corrosion resistant. Aluminium also causes a highly

beneficial hard layer of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) to be formed on the surface that is thin,

transparent and self healing. Tin has a similar effect and finds its use especially in sea water

applications (naval brasses). Combinations of iron, aluminium, silicon and manganese make

brass wear and tear resistant.

1.5 Quality control

During production, brass is subject to constant evaluation and control of the materials and

processes used to form specific brass stock. The chemical compositions of the raw materials are

checked and adjusted before melting. The heating and cooling times and temperatures are

specified and monitored. The thickness of the sheet and strip are measured at each step. Finally,

samples of the finished product are tested for hardness, strength, dimensions, and other factors to

ensure they meet the required specifications.

1.6 The future

Brass has a combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and formability that will continue to

make it a useful material for many applications in the foreseeable future. Brass also has an

advantage over other materials in that most products made from brass are recycled or reused,

rather than being discarded in a landfill, which will help ensure a continued supply for many

years.

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2. PHASE DIAGRAM

2.1 Brass alloy phase diagram

Phase diagrams and phase transformations are central to understanding microstructure

evolution (and hence properties) in relation to processing. Manufacturing involves shaping

and assembling engineering products and devices, while simultaneously providing the

material properties required by the design. Phase diagrams provide some fundamental

knowledge of what the equilibrium structure of a metallic (or ceramic) alloy is, as a function

of temperature and composition. The real structure may not be the equilibrium one, but

equilibrium gives a starting point from which other (non-equilibrium) structures can often be

inferred.

Figure 3 : Copper-Zinc phase diagram

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An alloy system can also contain intermediate phases. These are shown in the Cu-Zn diagram

figure P.10. The α, β, γ, ε and η phases are actually solid solutions with different crystal

structures. The system includes several commercially important coppers and brasses. For

example α brass, or cartridge brass contains 30% zinc, Muntz metal or β brass contains 40% zinc.

The transition from liquid to solid takes place by peritectic reactions

Figure 4 : Brass with wt% Zn less than 60

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 Table 1 : Temperature at point labelled

Single phase alloys containing up to about 35% zinc and are renowned for their ductility and the

ease with which they can be cold worked. If zinc is added above 35%, the body-centred cubic β

phase appears and the hardness increases. Alloys in this region have limited cold ductility but

excellent hot workability due to the plasticity of the β phase at high temperature. Practically limit

for zinc is about 42%. Alloys containing more zinc than this are too brittle to have commercial

use.

Figure 5 : Lattice structure for BCC during β phase

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2.1.1 Solidification brass alloy below 37.6 wt% Zn

Solidification begins for all single-phase α alloys with the formation of α dendrites on cooling

below the liquidus temperature (on line AD). Some coring occurs which allows the dendritic

structure to be visible in the microstructure after etching. The dendritic, as cast, structure is

broken down by working and annealing to give twinned, equiaxed grains. For the two phase α/β

alloys the behaviour on solidification depends on whether the zinc content lies above or below

the peritectic. Up to 37.6% (point D), α continues to be the primary phase, the β being formed by

the peritectic reaction which occurs in the last liquid to solidify.

2.1.2 Solidification brass alloy above 37.6 wt% Zn

Above 37.6% Zn solidification occurs with the formation of β dendrites and when it is complete,

the structure consists entirely of this phase. The freezing range is limited and so the β dendrites

are almost homogeneous. On cooling, β retains less copper, as indicated by the slope of the (α

+β)/ β phase boundary (line CH). At about 770°C, α begins to separate from the β and increases

in quantity as the temperature falls. This reaction is diffusion controlled and may be suppressed

by rapid cooling.

Approximately at 450° - 470°C (line GHI), the β phase undergoes a transformation into a low

temperature modification known as β'. This transformation is due to the zinc atoms changing

from a random to an ordered arrangement in the lattice. Even so, the appearance of the

microstructure is unaffected and the influence on mechanical properties is negligible.

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2.1.3 Eutectic and peritectic point

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 3. METHOD OF IMPROVEMENT

Alloying of element depending on percentage of zinc added does not compromise the

properties needed for specific purposes. So some of the strengthening method must be done

to ensure the material have appropriate yield strength, high ductility and also for toughness.

3.1 Basic strength of brass alloy

Figure 6 : Brass alloy under tensile forces

Brass can be tested under tensile forces to determine it maximum normal stress, its ductility,

toughness and all its mechanical properties.

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 3.2 Work Hardening of Brass

Brass is hardened when it is heated and allowed to cool slowly. When brass is allowed to

plastically deform, it will be work hardens. Means that the more “work”, the more its harden, and

thus will increase its yield strength. Brass is made up a little crystals of metal known as grains.

When brass is deformed, the grains shrink, and therefore the molecule is hard to slip past each

other, increasing the strength of material.

Figure 7 : Effect of work harden on brass

Based on the figure 7, we can see that in the annealed state, the strength is the lowest but it has

highest ductility, means that it will stretch a long way before it break. If the brass is work harden,

the strength will goes up but the ductility will decrease. Thus, if the brass is work harden enough,

it will be so hard but brittle and can’t be stretch too long.

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 3.3 Annealing of brass

Known that work hardening of the brass is reversible process. Means that if heat is applied to a

work hardened area of brass, the energy of that heat will cause the grain size of the metal to grow.

As this happens, the material loses strength as well as it gets softer and regains it's tolerance for

stretching without breaking. This process is a fully reversible. For brass alloy, the transformation

is rapid, robust, and occurs at approximately 650-700 degrees Fahrenheit. And if higher

temperature is applied, the brass will get even softer, but not dramatically so.

Figure 8 : Annealing effect on brass

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4. APPLICATION OF BRASS ALLOY

Brasses are copper zinc alloys with a wide range of engineering uses. The addition of zinc to

copper raises the strength and gives a range of properties, and the brasses are a very versatile

range of materials. They are used for their strength, corrosion resistance, appearance and

colour, and ease of working and joining. These are several examples part that use brass as its

part.

4.1 Fastened part

Figure 9 : Bolt and nut made from brass

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 4.2 Musical instrument

Figure 10 : Tuba that is made from brass

Being malleable and having suitable acoustic properties means brass is well suited in making

musical instruments and bells. Brasses, as the group of wind instruments made from this metal

are called, include trumpets, trombones, french horns and tubas. There are many variations

worldwide. Cymbals and various percussion instruments are also made of brass.

4.3 Gas valve and fitting

Figure 11 : Gas valve made from brass

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Brass is suitable to make this kind of part because brass does not create sparks the way iron does

it often substitutes for iron in environments where fire is a danger. It is useful in explosive

atmospheres as gas valves and fittings.

4.4 Fireboxes and marines environment

Figure 12 : Ship bell made from brass

Brass is the one of material that is have high resistance toward corrosion. The addition of

aluminium is particularly successful in brasses used for seawater. If arsenic is also present the

brass is suitable for boiler fireboxes, a highly corrosive environment. Brass and Bronze use was

extensive in ships and boats. Instruments, fittings such as cleats, blocks and fasteners were often

made of brass, as were ships bells. There is a great deal of interest in the wooden boat

community in brass and bronze fittings.

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 4.5 Condenser and heat exchanger

Figure 13 : Heat exchanger made from brass

Brass is corrosion resistance so it is suitable material to work with wet surrounding. Furthermore,

brass have high thermal conductivity. Thus brass is often used in air conditioning and heat

recovery systems.

4.6 Decorative object

Lastly, brass is an element that have very attractive colour and has been used since a long

time ago. It has also been used for architectural elements such as door handles, taps and light

fixtures. It has also been used as gasket around windows and as kick plates. The house key is

often brass.

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 5. CONCLUSION

Based on this experiment, brass is material that is muti-purposes. It can be used in many

industry or application due to its unique properties. Below are several conclusion that can be

made after finishing this assignment .

i. The main element of brass is copper which contain 55-95 % of its depending its intended

use. Brass contain high percentage of copper means it will be used as electrical

conductance.

ii. Second element of brass is zinc which contains 5-40% of its element. High amount of

zinc means that it will become more stronger and harder but difficult to deform and have

less corrosion resistance.

iii. Its malleability and acoustics make it suitable to make musical instrument.

iv. Because it is non-ferromagnetic material, it can be recycle easily

v. Single phase alloy which is less than 35%wt Zn is more ductile means can undergoes

process of cold-work.

vi. β phase alloy have limited cold ductility but excellent workability in phase where weight

of zinc more than 35%. Noted that alloy contain more zinc tend to be more brittle.

vii. Properties of brass can be improve by undergoes the alloy through several process such

hot or cold work and annealing.

viii. Brass is used in various industry due to its volatility of properties. Its often used as

fastened part, musical instrument, gas valve and fitting, marine equipmet, heat exchanger

and also decorative object.

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REFERENCES

Copper Development Association (1992). “Equilibrium diagram, Selected copper alloy

diagrams illustrating the major types of phase transformation” Pg 13-16

Prof. Mike Ashby (2009). “Teach you phase diagram and phase transformation”. Pg 32-40

Brady, George S., Henry R. Clauser, and John A. Vaccari. "Brass." In Materials Handbook, 14th
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997.

Hombostel, Caleb. "Brass." In Construction Materials: Types, Uses, and Applications. New
York: John Wiley and Sons, 1991.

Kroschwitz, Jacqueline I., and Mary Howe-Grant, eds. "Copper Alloys." In Encyclopedia of
Chemical Technology, 4th ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1993.

Terence Bell (2016). “Metal profile: Brass. What is brass” Retrieved from
http://metals.about.com/od/properties/a/Metal-Profile-Brass.htm

Copper Development Association (1992). “Non-Leaded* Red Brass and Yellow Brass Casting
Alloys” Retrieved from http://www.copper.org/applications/industrial/lowlead.html

Metal Supermarket (2015). “Difference Between Copper, Brass and Bronze”. Retrieved from
http://metalsupermarkets.com/blog/difference-between-copper-brass-bronze/

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