Metals are found in abundance and are very essential to man. Generally, they conduct both heat and electricity efficiently. Metals are used in the field of astrology and astrophysics.
Metals can be seen everywhere, like in the construction and manufacture of vehicles, buildings, furniture and other household items such as utensils.
The elements present around us can be categorised as metals, alloys and non-metals. Many people get confused between copper and brass. However, both are used by laymen in various activities. In this article, we will discuss how copper differs from brass.
Key Takeaways
- Copper is a pure metal, while brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
- Copper has a higher electrical and thermal conductivity than brass, while brass is more malleable and ductile than copper.
- Copper is reddish-brown in color and has a higher melting point than brass, while brass is yellowish-brown in color and has a lower melting point than copper.
Copper vs Brass
Copper, a reddish-brown, ductile metal, excels in electrical conductivity, making it ideal for wiring and electronics. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, boasts a golden hue, corrosion resistance, and a lower melting point than copper. This combination makes brass suitable for decorative items, plumbing fittings, and musical instruments, among various other uses.
Copper is pure metal, made up of only copper atoms. This metal is mainly constituted of atoms of copper. There are some impurities present in a micro amount as well. It gives a rustic finish.
This metal appears reddish-brown. The metal is corrosion-resistant. Thus, it does not react with water that easily. The use of copper is extensive in producing and manufacturing sculpture creations, pipe fittings, wires and pipes.
Brass is an alloy. It is an amalgamation and is made up of different metals. Brass is mainly constituted of zinc and copper. However, it also has lead, tin and aluminium present in it. It gives a lighter finish.
This alloy appears bright golden. The alloy shows good resistance towards corrosion in plain water, but in the case of salty water, it reacts. The use of brass is extensive for decorative purposes.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Copper | Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Rustic finish. | Lighter finish. |
| Definition | Purely a metal made up of copper atoms. | Brass is an alloy made up of an amalgamation of various metals. |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good corrosion resistance. | Get corroded only in salty water. |
| Composition | Copper atoms, some impurities in micro amount. | Mainly contain zinc, copper: lead, tin, aluminium in less amount. |
| Colour | Reddish-brown | Bright golden coloured. |
| Uses | Manufacture and production of pipe fittings, pipes, sculpture creations, wires, etc. | Decorative purposes use. |
What is Copper?
Copper is metal with a shiny appearance having a reddish-brown colour. It is not made up of any other elements. Thus copper is a pure elemental metal.
This metal possesses quite fewer magnetic properties. When copper is exposed to a very big magnetic field, then it shows a response. This is extensively used in the formation of electrical conductors.
As coppers are one of the best and most efficient conductors of electricity. Copper metal possesses poor strength. Thus, its use is limited in the case of structural applications, as copper can not be broken that easily, as they are not that strong.
The ductility and malleable properties of copper are quite high. Copper can be drawn into thin thread-like structures. Therefore, the use of copper can be seen in the jewellery industry and in electrical applications. It is also a good conductor of heat.
This metal is also used in the manufacture and production of alloys of metals. Copper has a very high degree of resistance towards corrosion. Thus, they are used to manufacture and produce pipe fittings and pipes.
What is Brass?
Brass is an alloy, thus an amalgamation of copper and zinc. However, other elements are also mixed to make Brass apart from copper and zinc. It has good durability and malleability. Brass appears bright golden. Brass has high resistance towards corrosion.
However, brass is corrosive when it reacts with saltwater. Aluminium or zinc is used with zinc and copper in making Brass.
The presence of a high amount of zinc in the brass makes it more ductile and gives good strength—the bright golden colour of brass changes according to the percentage of zinc added to the mixture.
Brass is used extensively for decorative purposes. This is because of its high malleability and good appearance. Brass is a kind of soft metal alloy having good strength. Thus, the brass should be kept at a distance from explosive gases and sparks.
The addition of aluminium in brass makes it corrosion-resistant and improves strength too. Lead is also used in the making of brass for the improvement of mechanical characteristics.
Main Differences Between Copper and Brass
- Copper is purely a metal that is made up of copper atoms only. In contrast, brass is an alloy which is made up of an amalgamation of different metals.
- Copper is mainly composed of atoms of copper and some impurities in micro amounts as well. However, brass is mainly composed of zinc and copper. It also has lead, tin and aluminium added to it.
- Copper gives a rustic finish. In contrast, brass gives a lighter finish.
- Copper appears reddish-brown. On the other hand, brass appears bright golden.
- Copper is corrosion corrosion-resistant and reacts with water easily. However, brass is resistant to corrosion but reacts with salty water.
- Copper’s use is extensive in the manufacture of wires, sculpture creations, pipe fittings and pipes. On the other hand, brass is used for decorative purposes.
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00170-007-1241-3
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/000705980798318708
Last Updated : 22 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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