Comparison: Brass vs. Bronze

Copper, bronze, and brass are all part of a group of “red metals” because of their reddish color. These materials are alloys of copper that contain different amounts of other elements, resulting in a wide range of properties.

For example, brass is mainly composed of copper and zinc. The inclusion of zinc enhances its strength and ductility. In contrast, bronze is typically made of copper and tin, although other elements can also be present. Despite the addition of other elements, bronze is generally harder than pure copper.

Although brass and bronze share similarities, this post focuses on their individual characteristics, properties, benefits, and differences.

What Is Brass?

The composition of brass is primarily copper and zinc. 500 BC did not allow for the discovery of brass due to the scarcity of pure zinc and the difficulty of smelting it with copper. However, people later attempted to smelt copper together with zinc ore, resulting in the alloy we now know as brass, with its characteristic dull gold color.

The zinc ore, when heated, releases pure zinc. When combined with copper, it produces the desired result. Brass has a low melting point, making it easy to work with. As a result, it was initially used to create a variety of items that are not commonly made from it today.

Other metals, such as iron, aluminum, and manganese, can be added to brass to change its properties and color. The high zinc content increases the brass’s durability and ductility, while the addition of manganese makes brass corrosion-resistant.

Based on the combination of copper and zinc, three types of brass can be produced:

  • Alpha brass – This alloy contains approximately 36% zinc and offers excellent corrosion resistance.
  • Beta brass – Containing approximately 45-50% zinc, beta brass is harder than other types.
  • Alpha-Beta brass – This type contains approximately 37-45% zinc. It can lose its color and strength because of a process called dezincification.

Properties of Brass

When compared to bronze, brass is more malleable, making it suitable for applications that require a high level of formability. On the other hand, it also exhibits a significantly lower melting point (900 degrees Celsius).

Additional properties of brass include the following:

  1. Muted yellow/gold color (mainly depending on the amount of zinc)
  2. High corrosion resistance, particularly when it contains an above-average amount of manganese.
  3. Susceptibility to cracking due to excessive stress.
  4. Highly castable
  5. Above-average thermal conductivity
  6. Non-ferromagnetic material is more accessible to separate for recycling.

Applications of Brass

Brass is used in a wide range of industries, including:

  1. The shiny, gold-like appearance of brass makes it a great option for decorative purposes.
  2. Plumbing pipes and tubing. The high corrosion resistance brass displays makes it ideal for plumbing applications.
  3. Musical instruments. Its durability and workability make it a highly ideal source material for musical instruments, such as guitar strings.
  4. Like bronze, brass is used in electronic applications because of its excellent electrical conductivity.

Brass Cabinet Hinges

Brass Cabinet Hinges

Advantages and Disadvantages of Brass

Brass has several advantages, such as:

  1. It has antibacterial properties. 
  2. It has better workability, malleability, and machinability compared to bronze. 
  3. It possesses distinctive gold-like looks, which makes it aesthetically pleasing. 

Brass has some disadvantages, including:

  1. It is prone to tarnishing. 
  2. It is prone to stress cracking when it comes into contact with ammonia.
  3. It has a slightly lower melting point than bronze. 

What Is Bronze?

Brass was preceded by a revolutionary discovery called bronze, which dates back to 3500 BC and marked the beginning of the Bronze Age. The earliest evidence of its use comes from archaeological remains of the ancient Sumerians, who used this durable metal alloy to create tools. To make bronze, copper and tin ore were smelted together to create the well-known reddish-brown alloy.

Now, bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper and tin, adding other metals such as aluminum, manganese, arsenic, phosphorus, and silicon to enhance its structural and aesthetic properties. General bronze alloys include:

Properties of Bronze

Bronze possesses unique properties that make it highly suitable for diverse applications, including art and computer electronics. Characteristics of bronze include:

  • Reddish-brown color
  • Melting point of 950 degrees Celsius
  • High resistance to corrosion from saltwater
  • The material is hard and somewhat brittle, although generally less brittle than cast iron.
  • The material displays minimal levels of friction between metal surfaces.

Applications of Bronze

Bronze has qualities that make it suitable for both functional and aesthetic applications, such as:

  • Marine and fishing. Many boats and ships use bronze fittings and propellers because of the material’s high corrosion resistance.
  • Electrical connectors and springs. Some bronze alloys are particularly ideal for electrical applications due to their outstanding electrical conductivity.
  • Sculptures and musical instruments. Bronze’s dull-gold tone makes it a popular material for sculptures and art, including bells and cymbals.
  • Bushings and bearings. The material’s low metal-to-metal friction makes it ideal for high-stress environments, such as those experienced by bearings and bushings.

Bronze Metal letters

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bronze

The benefits of bronze are:

  1. In comparison to brass, bronze provides better corrosion resistance, including protection against seawater corrosion.
  2. It has better fatigue resistance compared to most steels.
  3. It is hard, highly durable, and even harder than copper and iron.
  4. It has better electrical and thermal conductivity than most, but not all metals.

Despite its advantages, bronze also has some disadvantages, such as:

  1. It is more prone to oxidation than copper.
  2. Due to its hardness, bronze is more challenging to work with than brass and pure copper.
  3. Usually, it’s pricier than brass.
  4. This material has limited resistance to ferric compounds, cyanides, and ammonia.

Comparison Between Brass vs. Bronze

Here is a table exhibiting the main differences between brass and bronze. It includes composition, properties, color, thermal conductivity, melting point, corrosion resistance, and applications.

ItemsBrassBronze
HistoryBrass was first known to exist in about 500 BC.Bronze dates to about 3500 BC.
Element CompositionCopper (55-95%) + ZincCopper (80-90%) + Tin + Other Metals
ColorMuted yellow, somewhat similar to gold, but dullerReddish brown
Corrosion ResistanceIntermediateVery Good
Yield Strength95 to 124 MPa125-800 MPa
Tensile Strength338 to 469 MPa350 to 635 MPa
Thermal Conductivity109-121 W/mK24-108 W/mK
Electrical ConductivityHigh (but less than copper)Moderate (lesser than brass and copper)
Hardness65-95 BHN60-290 BHN
MachinabilityGood to ExcellentFair to Good
WeldabilityGoodPoor
Melting Point900-940°C1085-1130°C
Application1. Musical instruments
2. Daily objects (e.g., door handles, bearings, pins)
3. Plumbing and electrical applications
1. Sculptures and statues
2. Boat and ship fitting
3. Marine hardware
4. Electrical connectors
5. Springs and bearings

Conclusion

The use of bronze could date back to 3500 BC, while brass was used in 500 BC. This guide explores a detailed discussion of the variances between brass and bronze. While these two metals have similarities, they differ in electrical/thermal conductivity, ductility, machinability, and strength. However, one metal isn’t better than the other; they are better suited for different applications. Keep these differences in mind when selecting the appropriate metal for your project!