Brass safe?
- Thread starter mckeec
- Start date
Highlander
outa salt 8-(
Not reef safe, brass is about 98% copper.
javatech
New member
" Brass is a type of metal alloy made from a combination of copper and zinc.
Types of Brass
Apha brasses contain less than 35% zinc. This makes the resulting bronze relatively easy to work even when the brass is cold. Alpha-beta's zinc content is 35% to 45% zinc. This type of brass can be worked when hot. Beta brass, consisting of 45% to 50% zinc, should only be worked when hot. Beta brasses are stronger and harder than alpha or alpha-beta brasses. White brass is more than 50% zinc. It is very brittle and not generally used.
History of Brass
Today, brass is made by combining copper and zinc. In ancient times, no one knew what zinc was. However, ancients were able to find calamine, a zinc ore. They used calamine in combination with copper to make brass.
The Greeks called brass "oreichalcos" and the Romans called it "aurichalum." Romans used brass for their helmets and jewelry.
Before the 1700's, zinc could not be found or taken in its pure form because the technology did not yet exist that could melt it. Zinc's melting point is 420 degrees Centigrade. In order to make brass, ground calamine ore and copper were mixed together and then heated in a crucible. This did not melt the copper, but it did release vapors from the zinc in the calamine into the copper. After zinc vapors permeated the copper, brass was formed. The brass was then melted down to make the metal uniform."
Types of Brass
Apha brasses contain less than 35% zinc. This makes the resulting bronze relatively easy to work even when the brass is cold. Alpha-beta's zinc content is 35% to 45% zinc. This type of brass can be worked when hot. Beta brass, consisting of 45% to 50% zinc, should only be worked when hot. Beta brasses are stronger and harder than alpha or alpha-beta brasses. White brass is more than 50% zinc. It is very brittle and not generally used.
History of Brass
Today, brass is made by combining copper and zinc. In ancient times, no one knew what zinc was. However, ancients were able to find calamine, a zinc ore. They used calamine in combination with copper to make brass.
The Greeks called brass "oreichalcos" and the Romans called it "aurichalum." Romans used brass for their helmets and jewelry.
Before the 1700's, zinc could not be found or taken in its pure form because the technology did not yet exist that could melt it. Zinc's melting point is 420 degrees Centigrade. In order to make brass, ground calamine ore and copper were mixed together and then heated in a crucible. This did not melt the copper, but it did release vapors from the zinc in the calamine into the copper. After zinc vapors permeated the copper, brass was formed. The brass was then melted down to make the metal uniform."
Highlander
outa salt 8-(
Yea, what he said - whatever the percentage copper, definitely NOT reef safe 
Similar threads
