Specifying which materials to use for different applications can be tricky. It all comes down to finding a material that provides the right combination of characteristics for the best price. If you need a durable material that is corrosion resistant but still workable, with good electrical conductivity and thermal resistance, brass could be ideal for you. We want to have a closer look at it here, then if you choose it and want to arrange services like tube expansion, you can trust us.

Origin

Incredibly, it can be argued that brass was discovered by accident in the prehistoric period. The oldest examples were likely natural alloys, made because of the use of copper ores rich in zinc. So, potentially there wasn’t an intentional goal to create the alloy. There is evidence of experimentation though, including alloys with over 12% zinc. They were probably created in an attempt to achieve the golden brass colour.

Deliberate production of brass is much later, from around 500BC in Rome and Ancient Greece. Crucially, it was during this period that the cementation process was developed. This involves heating ores of copper and zinc together. It produces zinc vapour. This reacts with the copper to give brass. Notably, the alloys made using this method could be 20-28% zinc.

The development of brass production was fantastic for the Roman Empire. It allowed the creation of beautiful coins, jewellery and metalwork, plus armour and weapons. It also became important for countries in the Middle East. Talk to us about tube expansion.

Development

Brass production and use took a huge leap forward in the 16th century with the discovery that you could directly alloy copper and metallic zinc. This became known as the speltering process. While the cementation method was still popular for a few more centuries, it soon became obsolete. Crucially, speltering allowed the creation of brass alloys with higher zinc content.

During the industrial revolution, brass became a very significant material. It was valuable for creating key things like tubing and fittings for plumbing systems, engines, and boilers. The alloy’s properties, including corrosion resistance, strength, and formability, made it invaluable. Thanks to techniques like bending and tube expansion, the tube was even more useful.

The next significant advance was the development of the extrusion process. It was a game-changer, making it easier to produce brass tubing. Crucially for producers and end users, it meant it was possible to produce longer lengths of tube with more precise dimensions. The increase in accessibility and reduction in price made was a driver for more widespread use.

Today brass is still vital for a variety of industrial applications. This includes automotive, aerospace, defence, HVAC, and electronics. Crucially, more advances mean there are lots of alloys and it’s possible to refine various characteristics, such as the hardness and surface quality. The fact brasses are recyclable is fantastic too because sustainability is crucial.

Exceptional standards for tube expansion and more

Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd is a great company to work with if you’re planning to use tubing for different applications. We have experience with various metals and alloys, including specialist materials. Most importantly, we achieve high standards and tight tolerances on every project.

So, if you want to arrange services like tube expansion, speak to us. It’s our pleasure to share our expertise and offer guidance if you need it.