.................. ......................

Materialen in de metaalbewerking LOODVRIJ MESSING [engelstalige bron]

Nonleaded Copper-Zinc Alloys (Brasses) General The brasses are the most widely used and least expensive of the copper-based alloys. They possess relatively good corrosion resistance, moderately high strength, and in some compositions exceptionally good ductility and excellent forming characteristics when shaped by pressing, deep drawing, rolling, or machining. Cold working results in improved tensile properties. After cold working, they can be softened and recrystallized by appropriate annealing. The color of the brasses varies with the copper content, starting with a color closely approximating that of copper, through a bronze at 90% copper, a reddish color at 85%, and a brassy yellow at 65%. Alpha Brass Brasses with copper content above approximately 64% are called alpha brasses and are best known for their ability to withstand considerable cold working without annealing. These brasses may also be hot worked with reasonable ease. Beta Brass The beta brasses, with copper content of 60% and less, are characterized by excellent hot working characteristics.They are not so adaptable to cold working as are the alpha brasses; and at the lower part of the range, about 55% copper, the strengths and elongations of the alpha and beta brasses vary according to the zinc and copper content.