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February 24, 2018

Brass Angle Basics: What They Are and Their Many Uses

Brass angle, also known as the L-shaped bar, is an important component of many small and medium-sized structures. Its characteristic “L” shape is achieved by rolling and bending a long, flat bar. The shape is essential as it offers a unique kind of structural support.

A Pile of Quality Brass Angle Bars Ready to Be Used in Your Project

Unlike steel and iron bars, brass angle bars are rarely used in large-scale construction projects because they are quite expensive. An alloy of copper and zinc, brass possesses a gold-like color and sheen as well as high corrosion resistance, which make it an impractical choice of building material. However, it can perform beyond what’s expected of typical structural bars. Here are some of the most common uses of brass angle.

Structural Strengthening

Hanging cabinets are an efficient solution to a small or cramped space. While these fixtures can effectively help free up space in any room, it poses certain risks to occupants. They might suddenly uncouple from the wall fall on an occupant. This risk, however, can be managed by ensuring the stability of the cabinets. By installing a brass angle bar on the wall where a bottom edge of the cabinet can perfectly fit on, you can provide the shelf with its much needed support.

Edge Reinforcement

Brass angle comes in different sizes. The smallest of the size options is perfect for edge reinforcement. The angle is installed on the edge of structural feature to serve as an added protection. Examples are concrete staircases, walls where one side is exposed to open air, and wooden railing. This use is even excellent for wooden planks where air and moisture can see through the edges and cause damage.

Furniture Frames

Due to the shape of the angle bar, it can be used as a frame for different types of furniture. Side tables, chairs, and bed frames can all be made using brass angle bars. This can add a lot of style and color to a room while also being solid and sturdy enough that it will not bend or break easily. All it takes is creativity and an eye for design and the angled brass bars can be incorporated into so many home, hotel, and even office furniture.

Getting Innovative

When it comes to the uses of brass angle, it is all up to the creativity and imagination of the user. Yes, brass is more expensive than other common metals and they aren’t the best for large construction projects like bridges and industrial beams. However, when they are reserved for exclusive use as those mentioned above and as other fixtures for hotel handrails and staircases, the angled metal alloy will perform remarkably well.

There is no harm in experimenting with their different uses. Brass is a strong alloy and will not easily break, even when it has to hold a lot of weight.

Sources:

What is an Angle Bar?, WiseGeek.com
The Many Uses of Angle Iron, TexasIronAndMetal.com

Property Check: Bronze and Brass Channel, Bar, and Other Supply Types

More than three-quarters of the periodic table of elements are metal. Unless you’re a chemistry professor, however, surely not all of them will sound familiar. Some are more popular than others because they are utilized for many different practical applications thanks to their unique properties. There are even those that can easily be combined with other elements and produce even more durable materials.

Bronze and Brass Make a Great Construction and Decorative Material

One good example is copper. It can be combined with almost all kinds of metal and produce outstanding alloys. The most popular copper alloys are bronze (copper-tin) and brass (copper-zinc). These metals are even more widely used than over half the family of metals. Here are some facts about bronze and brass that you need to know before you start considering them for your projects.

Density

Density is the degree of compactness of a material. This property usually represents a bunch of other properties, such as malleability and strength. Brass has a density of 8.3 to 8.7 g/cm3, while bronze’s density starts at 7.5 g/cm3. This means in most cases, brass is more malleable and stronger than bronze. There are several factors that affect metal’s density, including content and alloying process. Although zinc is less dense than tin, it binds well with copper, making the resulting alloy (brass) more compact.

Melting Point

It would take 927 degrees Celsius of heat to melt brass, a little higher than bronze’s melting point of 913 degrees Celsius. It is important for metalworkers or suppliers to give out this information to the consumers as it helps in creating safety nets for their projects. This heat tolerance, however, is already higher than that of most metals, which is why bronze and brass are preferred for a lot of applications that involve heat.

Moh’s Hardness

Metal’s hardness is measured by its scratch resistance. Basically, a metal that is able to scratch another metal is the harder one. This easy yet effective qualitative ordinal scale was invented by German geologist and mineralogist Friedrich Mohs, hence the name. Both brass and bronze have a Moh’s hardness of 3, exceeding those of their base metals, copper, zinc, and tin. Of course, there are other minerals that are much harder than them, but this hardness rate can already do a lot in many applications.

Malleability

Both bronze and brass are malleable metals. They can easily deform with pressure. To better understand their malleability, try to look into their crystal structure. Copper in its pure form is very malleable because there isn’t another element that prevents the atomic planes of its crystal structure from slipping. Adding atoms of zinc or tin will inhibit slippage, thus making copper stronger and harder, except it’s no longer just copper, but a new material called bronze or brass.

Learning all of these properties will help you choose the right metal for your project. It takes guidance from a true metal expert from reputable suppliers like Rotax Metals to find the best copper alloys. Whether you need a brass channel to complete your furniture project or a bronze wire for your circuitry work, you should not hesitate to consult with an expert supplier.

About Rotax Metals: Rotax Metals has been providing high-grade copper, brass, and bronze supplies to designers, builders, artisans, and even other metal suppliers in North America. We’ve been around since 1947. Our commitment to excellence has put us right over the top of the list of metal suppliers the consumers trust. Get in touch with us today and let us find the best solutions for your projects.

Sources:

Material Density Data, repairengineering.com
The Mohs Scale of Hardness for Metals: Why It Is Important, jewelrynotes.com

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