Brass and copper, these two metals are widely used in daily life and industrial production. Although they are both copper alloys, they have significant differences in composition, performance, and use. This article will elaborate on the differences between brass and copper from multiple aspects.

1. Composition differences

Brass is an alloy composed of copper and zinc, in which the copper content is usually between 60% and 80%, and the zinc content is between 20% and 40%. According to the zinc content, brass can be divided into many types, such as ordinary brass, special brass, etc. Copper is a pure copper with a purity of usually more than 99.9% and does not contain other metal elements.
2. Physical properties

The physical properties of brass are somewhat different from those of copper. Brass has higher hardness, greater tensile strength, and better ductility, so it is widely used in machinery manufacturing, construction and other fields. Copper has better electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity than brass, and its ductility and plasticity are also better, so it is widely used in electrical, communication, chemical and other fields.

3. Corrosion resistance

Brass has good corrosion resistance and can maintain good stability in a humid and corrosive environment. However, copper has poor corrosion resistance and is easily affected by corrosion such as oxidation and sulfidation. Therefore, special protective measures need to be taken in some special environments.

4. Difference in use

Since brass and copper differ in composition, physical properties, corrosion resistance, etc., their uses are also different. Brass is mainly used in machinery manufacturing, construction, decoration and other fields, such as making pipes, valves, bolts, etc. While copper is mainly used in electrical, communication, chemical and other fields, such as making wires, cables, radiators, etc.

5. Price factor

There are also certain differences in the prices of brass and copper. Since copper has a higher purity and a more complicated production process, its price is usually higher than brass. Brass contains a certain amount of zinc and has a relatively simple production process, so its price is relatively low.
In summary, although brass and copper have certain similarities in appearance, there are obvious differences in composition, physical properties, corrosion resistance, use and price. In practical applications, it is necessary to select the appropriate copper alloy type according to the specific use environment and requirements. At the same time, with the advancement of science and technology and the development of technology, the application areas of brass and copper are also constantly expanding and deepening. In the future, we can expect these two metals to play a greater role in more fields.