Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd are experts in the field of tube manipulation. We use a wide range of techniques so we can modify tubing in various ways. Tube reduction is among them. Our skills enable us to supply tubes that have all the right features for your applications. As a team with years of experience, you can count on us to complete any project.

Three different materials

Brass, bronze, and copper are all materials manufacturers can use for tubes. Initially, they might all seem the same. Yet, they are actually very different. Copper is a pure metal element possessing a signature reddish-brown hue. It stands out for the wonderful electrical and thermal conductivity. So, it is useful for electronics and electrical wiring.

Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper, so it comes with a brighter, more yellowish aesthetic. It offers enhanced malleability and strength for musical instruments, plumbing fixtures, and decorative arts.

Bronze is mainly an alloy of tin and copper. It provides increased corrosion resistance (especially against seawater) and hardness. Thus, it is the best choice for maritime applications.

We are going to look at these three in more detail to see how they really differ. Then, if you need tube reduction for any of them, you can rely on us.

Copper

With copper, it is used in all kinds of products thanks to fantastic thermal and electrical conductivity. It also has good corrosion resistance, formability, and strength. Plumbing tubes and their fittings tend to be copper because it has strong corrosion resistance. You can readily braze and solder the materials. Moreover, you can polish and buff them to nearly any desired lustre and texture.

There are grades of unalloyed copper too, which can vary in terms of the amount of impurities. Oxygen-free copper grades are mainly used in applications needing high ductility and conductivity.

Copper’s capacity to fight bacteria is one of its most significant properties. After lengthy antimicrobial testing, it was discovered that 335 copper alloys were found to kill over 99.9% of bacteria within two hours of contact. The Environmental Protection Agency was responsible for these findings.

Brass

As we said above, brass is a copper alloy with zinc. Brasses can have differing degrees of zinc as well as other elements. Such variable combinations generate a wide array of properties.

Increasing levels of zinc in the alloys offers your materials higher ductility and strength. Should the content range from 32% to 39%, it will have higher hot-working abilities. As for the cold-working, it’ll be restricted. If the brass contains more than 39% zinc, it will have lower ductility and higher strength. Talk to us if you need top quality tube reduction services.

Another notable thing is brass is able to range in colour, from red to yellow. This depends on how much zinc you add to the alloy, plus the inclusion of other elements.

There is tin brass as well. It’s an alloy of tin, zinc, and copper. This alloy group would include free-machining, naval, and admiralty brass. The tin has been introduced to inhibit dezincification in many settings. The materials have high atmospheric and aqueous corrosion resistance, and moderate strength. There is also outstanding electrical conductivity. They have decent cold formability and hot forgeability.

Bronze

This is an alloy that consists mainly of copper, alongside other elements. In most instances, the extra element is tin. Silicon, manganese, aluminium, phosphorus, and arsenic can be utilised as well. They create separate properties in the material. All these elements generate an alloy far harder than copper by itself. Bronze is characterised by the dull gold colour it has. You’re also able to easily tell the difference between brass and bronze; the latter will have faint rings on the exterior.

A notable alloy is aluminium bronze. It has an aluminium content range of 6-12%. There is also an iron content of 6% and nickel content of 6%. The combination offers higher strength as well as wonderful corrosion and wear resistance.

Then there is silicon bronze. These alloys tend to be primarily copper but with from 2.5% to 6% silicon. The impressive thing here is the smooth surface finish. In addition, it has good corrosion resistance.

We work with all kinds of tubes if you need tube reduction

At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we’re able to adapt tube made from a wide array of materials. These include various forms of steel, copper, titanium, brass, and aluminium. Every material comes with its own unique specifications of appearance, strength, and durability. We adapt our services so we can account for these differences and deliver the best solutions.

If you need our help to adapt tubing with tube reduction and other techniques, let us know. We can handle all kinds of needs, and also offer help with prototyping and new applications.