How is brass alloy manufactured?

Brass is an alloy made primarily from copper and zinc, but it may also contain other elements in smaller quantities to achieve specific properties. The manufacturing process of brass involves melting and combining the raw materials, followed by shaping and forming into various products. Here is a general overview of how brass alloy is manufactured:
Raw Materials: The two main components of brass are copper and zinc. High-quality copper and zinc ores are mined and extracted. Copper may be obtained from copper ore through processes like smelting and refining. Zinc is commonly obtained from zinc ores through a similar process.
Melting: The copper and zinc are melted separately in furnaces at high temperatures. Copper typically has a higher melting point than zinc.
Alloying: Once both metals are melted and at the desired temperatures, they are combined in specific proportions to achieve the desired brass alloy. The amount of zinc added to the copper determines the type of brass and its properties.
Deoxidation: During the melting process, the molten metal is often exposed to air, which can cause oxidation. To remove oxygen and other impurities, a deoxidizer is added to the alloy.
Alloy Adjustment: Depending on the specific application and desired properties, other elements, such as lead, tin, aluminum, or silicon, may be added to the brass alloy to improve machinability, corrosion resistance, or other characteristics.
Degassing: The molten brass may be subjected to a degassing process to remove any dissolved gases, which can affect the quality of the final product.
Casting or Rolling: After the brass alloy is properly mixed and homogenized, it is cast into various forms such as ingots, bars, or billets, or it may be rolled into sheets or coils.
Forming and Machining: The cast or rolled brass is further processed and formed into various products through machining, forging, extrusion, or other forming methods.
Heat Treatment (Optional): In some cases, the brass alloy may undergo heat treatment processes like annealing or tempering to achieve specific mechanical properties and improve its performance.
Surface Finishing (Optional): Depending on the final application, the brass products may undergo additional surface finishing processes such as polishing, plating, or coating.