How Much is Brass and How is it Produced?(plastics prototyping Winni)

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Brass is a metal alloy made up of copper and zinc that has been used for centuries due to its durable and corrosion-resistant properties. The price of brass depends on several factors including the type of brass, demand and supply, and production costs. On average, brass costs between $1.50 to $3.50 per pound. However, the price can fluctuate depending on market conditions.
Types of Brass
There are many different types of brass classified by their zinc content which affects the properties and cost:
- Yellow Brass - 15-37% zinc, golden yellow color, good corrosion resistance, affordable, used for musical instruments and hardware. Costs around $1.80-2.50/lb.
- Naval Brass - 40% zinc, more corrosion resistant than yellow brass, used for marine applications. Costs around $2.20-3.00/lb.
- Red Brass - 15-20% zinc, reddish hue, more malleable than yellow brass, used for plumbing fittings and architectural trim. Costs around $2.00-2.70/lb.
- White Brass - 45-50% zinc, silvery appearance, exceptionally corrosion resistant, used for ammunition casings. Costs around $2.50-3.50/lb.
- Cartridge Brass - 30% zinc, good cold forming properties, used for ammunition cartridges. Costs around $2.00-2.80/lb.
The percentages of copper and zinc and the production method determine the cost per pound of each type of brass. More zinc content generally makes brass more expensive.
Brass Production
Brass is produced using a few key steps:
1. Raw Material Sourcing - Brass requires copper and zinc as raw materials which are mined and refined separately before alloying. Global copper mining exceeds 20 million tons annually while zinc mining meets over 13 million tons annually.
2. Alloying - The copper and zinc are melted and mixed together in the right proportions to produce the desired brass composition. This can be done in crucibles or furnaces up to 1900°F. Trace elements like lead or iron may also be added.
3. Casting - The molten brass liquid is poured into molds and cooled into ingots, sheets or other shapes. Common casting methods include continuous casting, die casting and sand casting.
4. Working - The cast brass is then mechanically worked using rolling, forging, extrusion or drawing processes to produce the desired thickness, strengths and forms. Rods, wires, tubes and more can be fabricated.
5. Finishing - Finally, the brass may be polished, buffed, ground or plated to achieve the necessary finish surface. stamped, CNC machined or other processes can create final parts.
So in summary, the price of brass varies based on the type and market demand, but averages between $1.50 to $3.50 per pound. The production process starts with copper and zinc sourcing, then alloying, casting, working and finishing to create a durable and versatile metal used in many industrial and consumer applications. Understanding brass’ properties, manufacturing methods and pricing are helpful for designers, engineers and manufacturers working with this versatile metal. CNC Milling CNC Machining