Copper is used for a wide range of products due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity, suitable malleability and good corrosion resistance. Due to the high resistance of copper against corrosion, it is used to make pipes and fittings. Due to its similarity to gold, brass metal is usually used for decorative purposes and also for making musical instruments due to its high durability. Bronze is known for its darker, reddish-brown color. It is easy to tell the difference between bronze and brass due to the presence of pale rings on the surface of bronze. In the following, we explain in detail about the characteristics and applications of each metal.
copper
According to the mentioned characteristics, copper can be easily soldered and it can be welded by various methods of gas, electric arc and resistance. Additionally, copper can be polished to any desired texture and finish.
Depending on the amount of impurities, there are different grades of copper alloys. Specifically, oxygen-free copper grades are used in applications that require high conductivity and malleability.
One of the most important characteristics of copper is its ability to fight bacteria. After extensive antimicrobial tests, biologists found that 355 different types of copper alloys were able to kill 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours.
Rice
Brass is basically an alloy of copper with some zinc. Different types of rice contain different amounts of zinc and other additional elements. This alloy creates a wide range of characteristics and color variations. Increasing the amount of zinc increases the resistance and malleability of rice. The color of the rice sheet can vary from red to yellow, depending on the amount of zinc added. The next issue is about the price of this alloy. In response to the question that copper or brass is more expensive? It must be said that bronze is more valuable than brass. Another part of the features and characteristics of this product are:
- If the amount of zinc in rice is from 32% to 39%, the heating capabilities of rice increase; But the cold working capabilities will be limited.
- If the brass contains more than 39% zinc (like Montez alloy), this metal will have high resistance and lower malleability at room temperature.
Bronze
Bronze is an alloy that mainly consists of copper and other additional elements. In most cases, the added element is tin; But arsenic, phosphorus, manganese, aluminum and silicon are also added to this metal to create various properties.
Bronze is used in making sculptures, musical instruments, medals for various competitions and in industrial uses where the friction of the metal is low. , it is considered an advantage, it is used like bushings and bearings.
Which is more expensive? Brass, bronze or copper?
Although the prices of different grades of brass, bronze, and copper vary, in general, among these three metals, copper is the most expensive. All three metals contain copper, but the percentage of copper in brass and bronze is much lower than pure copper, and this reduces the price of brass and bronze. Also, bronze is usually more expensive than It is brass, and part of this issue is related to the cost of the processes required to produce bronze.
It is better to know that the price, weight and color of each of these metals are the most important parameters that distinguish them from each other. slow For example, bronze is heavier than brass and the price of bronze alloy is higher than brass alloy.