Brass, bronze and copper are metallic materials with high electrical/thermal conductivity, corrosion and heat resistance. They are used in many industries, from electronics to art, architecture and mechanical engineering.
Distinguishing between brass, bronze and copper can be challenging due to their many similar characteristics. Therefore, this article highlights the difference between brass, bronze and copper as it provides a detailed assessment of their properties and applications.
Differences between brass, bronze and copper
Brass, bronze and copper belong to the same group, the so-called red metals. They have a number of similar properties, but they also have some differences. Below are some differences between brass, bronze, and copper that will help you tell them apart:
1. Elementary composition
Of the three metals, copper is the only natural metal. It is a metal (non-ferrous) that occurs in its natural state and can be used directly in all compatible manufacturing processes. Brass and bronze, on the other hand, are alloys.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It may also contain elements such as lead, manganese, iron, aluminum and silicon. Bronze, on the other hand, is made up of copper and tin as the main components. In addition, it may also contain elements such as aluminum, nickel, phosphorus and zinc.
2. Corrosion resistance
Corrosion resistance is a general difference between brass, bronze and copper. Bronze is highly resistant to corrosion compared to the other two materials, as it is capable of forming a protective layer when in contact with corrosive environments. Therefore, it is very suitable for the production of parts used in the marine environment.
Copper is also very resistant to corrosion and forms protective layers. Compared to bronze and copper, brass's corrosion resistance is slightly lower.
In summary, of the three metals, bronze has the highest corrosion resistance, while brass has the lowest corrosion resistance.
3. Weight
Weight is another difference between brass, bronze and copper. Here, copper has the highest weight (with a weight per volume of 8,960 kg/m³. On the other hand, bronze (8,800 kg/m³) and brass (8,720 kg/m³) have similar light densities, although brass be the lightest.
The weight classification is: copper > bronze > brass.
4. Durability
Bronze is a very resistant material, with a solid structure and is unlikely to bend. Furthermore, it is corrosion resistant and therefore very durable. Copper is also durable but is easier to work with than bronze. Furthermore, it is flexible and wear-resistant.
Brass is more prone to cracking and scratching. In terms of durability: bronze > copper > brass.
5. Machinability
In terms of machinability, copper has better machinability compared to brass and bronze. Additionally, copper is the most flexible of the three metals for processing, facilitating common manufacturing processes.
Bronze is more rigid and therefore less suitable for machining processes. Of the three options, brass is the least workable metal because it is not as flexible and inflexible as bronze.
6. Weldability
The three metals are all weldable. However, oxygen-free copper and deoxidized copper have high weldability. The most common methods for welding copper are the MIG and TIG methods.
MIG, TIG and silver brazing techniques can also be used with brass alloys. Metals low in zinc are easier to weld than metals with lead.
7. Conductivity (electrical and thermal)
Conductivity (electrical and thermal) is an important factor when comparing bronze, brass and copper.
From an electrical point of view, copper has high electrical conductivity (100%). However, brass has an electrical conductivity of about 28%, while bronze has the lowest electrical conductivity (about 15%) due to the lower copper content.
In short, copper is > brass > bronze in terms of electrical conductivity.
Thermally, bronze has the highest thermal conductivity, followed by copper, while brass has the lowest thermal conductivity of the three. This means bronze > copper > brass
8. Strength (tensile and yield strength)
Bronze is a material best suited for projects that require high tensile and yield strength due to its high tensile and yield strength. Brass is next in line, while copper has the lowest tensile and yield strength values.
9. Appearance
Due to physical appearance, choosing between brass, bronze and copper can be quite tricky.
It is relatively easy to distinguish between bronze and brass based on colors. Brass has a yellowish-golden color while bronze has a reddish-brown color. Copper and bronze have similar reddish-brown colors, but copper's hue is represented by a pinkish-orange hue, while bronze's has a dull golden hue.
10. Hardness
According to Brignell hardness scale values, bronze is the hardest of the three metals, followed by brass and copper.
- Copper: 39
- Brass: 55-73
- Bronze: 40-420
Copper Basic Overview
Copper is a naturally occurring non-ferrous metal used in many manufacturing industries due to its excellent properties. It is highly conductive and has some unique properties, including:
- Electric conductivity
- Elastic
- Machinability
- Excellent thermal conductivity
- Microbial resistance
- Corrosion resistance
Types of copper
Copper is a versatile metal that is available in numerous qualities. The most common types of copper include:
Alloy 101 As it does not contain oxygen, it is a good option for projects that require excellent ductility and conductivity.
Alloy 110 or electrolytic copper is known as an alloy with greater thermal and electrical conductivity. Furthermore, it is characterized by high formability and ductility.
Alloy 122 is very similar to Alloy 110 and is known for its better weldability, formability, machinability and other mechanical properties.
League 145 or tellurium. Copper contains tellurium, which improves its electrical and thermal conductivity.
Copper Applications
Copper in its pure form can be used in the manufacture of parts and products used in the manufacture of plumbing, roofing, industry and electrical equipment.
Other industrial applications of copper include architectural components, piping, heat sinks, subsea components, electric motors, telecommunications equipment, etc.
Brass Basic Overview
Brass is an alloy made up of two basic elements, copper and zinc. It is a robust material with the following properties:
- Protected stain
- Low friction
- Malleable
- Easy to edit
- Stress Cracks
- Malleability
Brass qualities
Due to its components, there are different alloys, for example:
Alloy 260 or cartridge brass has cold working properties and is suitable for making parts for ammunition, hardware, etc.
Alloy 272 or yellow brass has a higher zinc content (approx. 33%), which improves its weldability.
Alloy 330 has a low lead content and is easy to work with. Therefore, it is used in the piping industry.
Alloy 353 Watch brass is known for its easy machinability. It is suitable for the production of parts used in the assembly of wristwatches, watches, etc.
Alloy 360 or free-cut brass has superior formability and machinability, making it suitable for the production of fasteners, valves, fittings, etc.
Alloy 385 or architectural brass has high structural integrity and is therefore suitable for parts used in building and architectural systems.
Alloy 464 or marine brass is a special alloy that gets its name from its use in the marine sector. It is corrosion resistant regardless of temperature and also supports various processes such as head forming, welding, soldering, etc.
Brass Applications
Brass looks like different shades of gold and has different uses. Common examples of the material include:
musical instruments : Brass is the most suitable metal for making musical instrument parts.
fittings : The unparalleled properties of brass make it suitable for making fittings for parts.
Other areas of application of brass include sanitary materials, watchmaking, jewelry, door hardware, etc.
Bronze Basic Overview
Bronze is a yellowish-brown alloy made of copper and tin and other elements that contains small amounts of aluminum, manganese, silicon and phosphorus. It has the following properties:
- Ductility
- fusion point
- Hardness and fragility
- High melting point
- High corrosion resistance
- Low metal-to-metal friction
Bronze qualities
Based on the elements that make up bronze, there are the following types of bronze:
Alloy 932 contains tin with a high lead content and is mainly used for the production of washers, bushings, etc.
Alloy 954 or aluminum bronze is very resistant due to the aluminum content. Therefore, it is suitable for supporting and protecting industrial equipment.
Bronze Applications
Bronze is useful for a variety of applications. Below is a list of uses for bronze:
Bushings and bearings : This is the most common application of bronze. It is used in the manufacture of bushings and bearings for automobiles.
Ship equipment : The excellent properties of bronze make it suitable for manufacturing marine equipment such as propellers, ship fittings, etc.
Other applications of bronze include electric springs, oil drilling rigs, petroleum equipment, etc.
Quickly tell the difference between brass, bronze and copper
The color and sound of the three metals differ slightly, making it possible to quickly recognize the differences.
Color
Copper has a reddish-brown appearance; Brass has a vibrant yellowish-golden appearance, while bronze has a dull golden tone.
sound
To check whether the material is copper or a metal alloy, you can lightly tap the metal on a surface. This means that copper produces a very deep and quiet sound. Bronze, on the other hand, produces a higher tone than copper, while brass produces a higher tone than bronze.
Bronze vs. Brass vs. Copper: Choosing the Right Material for Your Projects
As already mentioned, bronze, brass and copper have different properties. That's why you need to keep the following in mind when choosing one of the three metals for your project.
Degree of flexibility
Brass, bronze and copper are highly durable, but have varying degrees of flexibility. When a high degree of flexibility is required, natural copper is the best option. In terms of machining, you should consider bronze and brass.
General use
Brass is often used for purposes such as door handles and musical instruments due to its low friction.
Due to its high resistance to salt water, bronze is the best material for manufacturing parts for shipbuilding.
Due to its antibacterial properties, copper is the best choice for making food containers and warmers.
Pricing
Prices for individual metals vary due to the many alloys available. If you are looking for an inexpensive metal, brass is your best choice. Brass is cheap due to its high zinc content. Bronze is the next metal, while copper is the most expensive of the three metals.
Choose WayKen for your metalworking and prototyping projects
Brass, bronze and copper are metals used in various manufacturing industries due to their properties. In several industries, materials go through manufacturing and prototyping processes, such as CNC machining services, pressure casting, etc.
Furthermore, we offer our services at competitive prices and with short delivery times. Contact us for more information about choosing the right material for your parts and using the right manufacturing process.
University Degree
Brass, bronze and copper are similar metals, but they have some advantages over the others due to their conductivity, ductility, machinability and resistance. Although similar, the three metals are different. Therefore, this article provides a detailed comparison and differences between brass, bronze and copper and their applications.
Common questions
Which material is harder: bronze, brass or copper?
The hardest metal of the three is bronze. Due to its hardness, it is less easy to work with.
Why is brass often used instead of copper?
Brass is lightweight and can withstand high pressures created by sequential movements on CNC machines. Furthermore, it also conducts electricity well.
What is magnetic: bronze, brass or copper?
All three are generally non-magnetic. However, bronze is slightly magnetic due to the approximately 12% nickel content it contains.
