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.

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

Those who are new to metalworking may not be aware of what Muntz metal is and what applications it can be utilized for. Those who are familiar with it, however, can easily attest to this metal’s viability as a resource material and to its amazing set of beneficial properties.

Also known as yellow metal, Muntz metal is an alloy of copper (60%) and zinc (40%). It is commonly found in machine parts, especially those that are meant to be placed in areas where corrosion is likely to take place.

This kind of metal has a rather interesting history, particularly because unlike most other metals, it is named after a certain individual, in this case George Fredrick Muntz. He was a metal-roller from Birmingham, England, and is known to be the person responsible for commercializing the alloy. Muntz patented the yellow metal in 1832, and since then, it has been enjoyed by the various industries.

Why Use Muntz Metal

Apart from its shiny, metallic appearance, which makes it a great choice for those looking for aesthetically pleasing metal resources, Muntz metal is also prized for its strength and affordability. As it is composed mostly of copper, you can experience the beneficial properties of copper without having to spend for its high cost. These properties include strength and durability.

As a matter of fact, the price difference between the two can be so relevant that industrial workers would sometimes deliberately substitute copper for bronze, especially if they have a really tight budget. Fortunately, even with this switch, it does not translate to a decrease or deficiency in reliability. This is also why it is crucial for those working with metal to be keenly aware about the many different options out there, not only so they can distinguish one metal type from another, but also to know which are the ones that come close together in terms of properties, thus making them cost-effective substitutes of one another.

Speaking of durability, this is also another of the more important reasons why Muntz metal is preferred for building equipment. The maritime industry, specifically, benefits a lot from the use of Muntz metals because it can withstand the damage of saltwater. Parts of ships submerged underwater, therefore, could most certainly put the Muntz metal’s anti-corrosive properties to good use.

Apart from ship parts and mechanisms, it could also be used as a boat wrapping so that they’d last stronger for longer. The construction industry also has a lot to gain from using Muntz metal, such as in bolts and other tools that require sturdiness in order to be effectively used in building.

Best Use

If you are handling Muntz metal, keep in mind that it’s best work with when it’s hot. It’s a lot easier to shape and mold them according to your needs and preferences that way. You’d also need to work at it fast, otherwise it’s going to cool down way before you achieve your desired form.

Since this metal is mostly used for bolts, squares and other mechanical parts, though, it’s likely that it’s going through specially designed machinery.

As it turns out, Muntz metal is a lot more common than most people recognize after all. If you are looking for a particular type of metal that carries properties like durability, cost-efficiency, and effectiveness, you might want to consider this yellow metal.
There are, of course, still plenty of things to learn about it. That is why it is most recommended that you closely work with certified and trusted suppliers like Rotax Metals. These professionals would be able to guide you through the many different metal supply choices.

Sources:
What is Muntz Metal? WiseGeek.com.
Muntz Metal. Britannica.com.