Difference between Brass and Copper
Key Difference: Copper is a reddish brown colored metal known for its strength and thermal conductivity. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The varying proportions of copper and zinc in brass define the properties of this alloy.
Copper is one of the important metals. It is a good conductor of electricity. It appears reddish in color and bears a bright luster. It is known for its naturally occurring distinctive color. It is a durable, strong, corrosion-resistant and ductile metal. Though it is bright reddish brown in color, it tends to start appearing black to green over a period of eight to ten years, after getting exposed to the atmosphere.
Historically it has been used for sheathing for ships, making of statues, ornamental detailing, etc. Today, it is mainly used for decorative detailing, piping systems, electrical wiring, etc. Its tendency to corrode less makes it appropriate to be used for pipes, electrical cables, saucepans, etc.
Brass is related to copper as it is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is stronger and harder than pure copper. In appearance, it can look dark reddish brown to a light silvery yellow. This variation in color is due to the content of zinc in this alloy. It is quite easy to polish brass. It is known for its decent strength and electrical conductivity. It is commonly used in heat exchangers for its excellent thermal conductivity. The electrical conductivity of brass varies from 23 to 44 percent of pure copper.
Thus, the primary difference between copper and brass is that copper is a pure metal, whereas brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc. Copper looks somewhat brown with a rustic finish, whereas brass has a lighter finish due to it bright sheen like gold. The properties of brass differs due to different proportion of zinc and copper to form brass. Brass tends to be more corrosion resistant than copper.
Comparison between brass and copper:
|
Brass |
Copper |
Definition |
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The varying proportions of copper and zinc in brass define the properties of this alloy. |
Copper is a reddish brown colored metal known for its strength and thermal conductivity |
Color |
Brown with a rustic finish |
Lighter finish than copper. Similar to gold |
Magnetic |
No |
To a small extent |
Strength and durability |
High |
High |
Chemical symbol |
No symbol as it is an alloy |
Cu |
Common Usage/Applications |
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|
Cleaning Methods |
|
|
Properties |
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Image Courtesy: homeworkshop.com, spicesonline.info
Comments
Mario Leto
Tue, 12/26/2017 - 12:13
Thank you for pointing it out. It has been fixed now.
dbadmin
Wed, 12/27/2017 - 17:55
Svetlana
Sun, 02/11/2018 - 03:32
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