Naval brass is widely used in marine construction due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and suitability to salt and freshwater settings. Brass is a popular material for propeller shafts, turnbuckles, and valve stems as well as many other marine fittings. However, sometimes, due to certain conditions, naval brass may experience dezincification, a kind of dealloying process wherein Zinc is removed from the alloy and leaves behind a copper-rich metal which is more porous. If you’re a boat maker, here’s what you need to know about the signs of dealloying Zinc, factors that can contribute to dezincification, and how you can prevent it. (more…)