Breaking Down the Properties of Brass Metal Material

Brass metal has been used by mankind since the time of the ancient Greeks.

Indeed, in Shakespearean times, brass wire was so important to the wool trade that it was smuggled in from mainland Europe when one company had a monopoly over its production.

Thankfully you don't need to get your brass on the black market these days, but the metal is still going strong thanks to having a number of highly beneficial properties.

Read on as we take a look at some of the important properties of brass.

Color

Brass has always been visually appealing. It generally has a color similar to gold and can be polished to a bright shine. The color of brass can be altered, depending on the amount of zinc that is used in the alloy.

As we will learn later, it is also resistant to corrosion meaning that it stays looking visually appealing for a long time. 

Malleable

Despite being an alloy of bronze and zinc, brass has higher malleability than both. 

That means that brass is ideal for being rolled, hammered, or pressed into sheets without fear of breaking. It makes it an ideal material to use for creating products that can be cut from thin sheets, such as brass tags and even shell casings.

Bacteriostatic

Don't be put off by the name. All this means is that one of the key properties of brass is that it inhibits bacteria from growing on its surface.

This makes brass a highly hygienic material to use. It's the reason that you will often find brass used in healthcare facilities and other places where preventing the growth of bacteria is vital.

Non-Ferrous

Brass is a non-ferrous material, meaning that it contains no iron.

It is for this reason that is preferred for industries such as mining, as non-ferrous materials don't give off dangerous sparks.

Resists Corrosion

Brass is also prized for its resistance to corrosion. 

If you look in any hardware store you'll see a lot of brass pipes and pipe fittings available.

That's because brass won't rust in the same way that other metals can. It means that your brass items will last a long time without noticeable signs of deterioration.

Durability

Because brass is more malleable than bronze or zinc, it also makes it more durable. 

Brass is able to give a little if placed under stress meaning it's far less likely to crack or split. It's still tough enough to resist scratches and dents, however. If you're looking for a metal that will last, then brass is a great choice.

Are You Looking for Brass Metal Tags?

All the properties of brass metal make it ideally suited for use in metal tags. Brass tags are hard-wearing, durable, and also hygienic thanks to their bacteriostatic properties.

If you're looking for brass tags in a range of shapes and sizes, then you're in the right place. We have a great selection of blank brass tags for marking.

Check out our range of brass tags and more today!