Ordinary Brass

Ordinary Brass is a copper-based alloy whose principal alloying element is zinc, with small amounts of other metals. The term brass is also used to describe any copper alloy containing small amounts of nickel or lead. This article uses information from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979) as a starting point. Brass was smelted before the Common Era, but was not considered a metal until the 19th century, when direct fusion with zinc replaced the use of charcoal.
The properties of brass make it a useful metal for applications that require corrosion resistance, low friction, or durability. In addition to its use in industrial applications, brass is also used in jewelry, musical instruments, and as a substitute for copper in the making of brass earring and bracelet sets. In general, brass contains 66% copper and 34% zinc. As a result, it is more resistant to corrosion than copper alone. Brass reacts with salt water, while copper will remain porous.
Another reason that brass is a valuable metal for the manufacturing of jewelry is that it is easily worked. Its properties are dependent on the proportion of zinc and copper in the alloy, as well as other elements. It can be forged into various shapes, rolled into thin sheets, and drawn into wires. The maximum amount of zinc in brass produces a brass alloy with high tensile strength and ductility. This metal alloy is used for jewelry and other items, including hardware, plumbing, and lighting fixtures.
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