1、How to Tell the Difference Between Bronze, Brass and CopperBronze, Brass, and copper are sometimes hard to tell apart. If you know what you are looking for, and you understand what each material exactly is, the process of knowing the difference becomes a lot easier.Explore the printed information be
2、low to discover what each material is, how to spot differences, and some items that are made out of each.1. ColorCopper, Brass, and bronze all have a slightly different color and sheen to them. Copper contains a brown, somewhat rustic finish to it. Brass has a lighter finish, and is contains a very
3、bright sheen. It is very comparable to the color gold. Bronze has a much darker finish, and does not contain much of a sheen to it.2. AlloysCopper is true in itself. Copper is pure, and is not made of any alloys. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The copper in brass can be used and varied to cre
4、ate many different types of brass. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Copper is the main used, and can be mixed with other materials to create other types of bronze as well.3. MagneticWhen looking and testing to see which material is which you may be able to tell with a simple heavy duty magnet.
5、Copper is in no way magnetic. Using even the strongest of magnets on copper, it will not attract. Brass is magnetic to a small extent. If you take a very heavy duty magnet, and hold close to a brass object, chances are the object will attract to the magnet. Bronze is in no way magnetic, just like co
6、pper. The only material out of those three is brass, which will only attract to a heavy magnet.4. DurabilityCopper is durable, as well as flexible. Copper at its true state is very hard to crack or break. You can bend copper, stretch it, and shape it into anything you want without cracking or damagi
7、ng it.Brass is strong, however not as durable. Brass is susceptible to corrosion cracking. It is not as strong or durable as copper, and is not flexible at all in comparison to copper. Bronze is tough, and durable as well. Although bronze is not easily flexed in any situation, it does withstand wate
8、r, which in turn is resistant to corrosion.5. UsesCopper is used for many things. The most common objects you will see copper present in are wiring and plumbing materials. This is because it is a great conductor, and has been used for years upon years in construction of many types. Brass is used in
9、many of our household accessories. Our locks, doorknobs, gears, etc. are mainly made out of brass. You will also see brass present and some electricals and plumbing materials as well. Bronze is used in many ship and boat parts and gears. This is because as stated before bronze will withstand water,
10、so it can stand up to just about anything.So, the next time you are staring at an object, wondering just exactly what its made out of. Remember these few facts, and even try a few out.How to Tell the Difference between a Brass and Copper PipeCopper and brass are two very similar looking metals but t
11、here are many occasions when its useful to be able to differentiate between brass and copper pipes.Copper is a naturally occurring metal which is fairly unique in the fact that it has a gold like color. Most metals (with the exception of gold) are silver in color. Brass is a man made alloy of copper
12、 and zinc mixed together.Step 1 - Looking at the ColorOne of the easiest ways to tell the difference between copper and brass is to look at the color. At first glance the two can seem very similar however there are differences. If you have an item that you know is made out of copper then compare the
13、 color and decide whether its brass or copper.Copper has a red tinge to it and will go a lovely shade of green when it starts to corrode. The statue of liberty is made out of copper which has corroded.Step 2 - Listening to the PipesTap the pipes and listen to their sound. Copper is a softer metal wh
14、ich should produce a smoother sound. Brass is slightly harder and should produce a more defined note.Step 3 - Looking for MarkingsSome pipes will have markings on it to show that it is copper or brass. Anything with a number starting with C will be made from copper.Step 4 - Scientific AnalysisThe fi
15、nal option would be to send a sample of your pipe off to the lab for testing.Caring for an Antique Brass FaucetAntique brass faucet can very quickly lose its charm if not taken proper care of. Like any antique, a brass faucet also requires some attention to maintain its elegance. Now, by following o
16、nly a few tips, you can maintain the antiquity and functionality of your faucet over a period of time.Tip 1: Differentiate Brass coated faucets from Brass FaucetsUsually steel faucets are coated with brass to give the classy bronze appearance. You can check the magnetic qualities of these faucets to
17、 differentiate them from proper brass faucets. Steel, being extremely magnetic, will show positive attraction and repulsion near a magnet as opposed to brass which is not magnetic. Once assured the nature of the metal, you can follow up with rest of the tips to ensure its maintenance.Tip 2: Remove T
18、arnishAntique brass faucets can get subjected to tarnish over a period of time that can affect the look of brass. You can employ several methods to remove tarnish. Most of the methods involve simple materials that can be easily accessed in your house. Use of sandpaper should be especially discourage
19、d for this purpose as rigorous rubbing from sandpaper can affect the metal by leaving scratch marks. Instead, anti-tarnish agents have been proposed like ketchup or vinegar that are widely accepted to be most effective. You can just apply little vinegar or ketchup on a piece of cloth and rub it on t
20、he faucet to rid it of the tarnish. Vinegar can be warmed a little to get even better results.Tip 3: Periodic CleaningOne of the simplest ways to elongate life of any product is cleaning the product periodically. Similarly, a brass faucet should be kept clean which may require effort that doesnt fad
21、e over a period of time. Even the touch of your fingers can leave body oil on the faucet therefore it is recommended that you wear gloves when cleaning. Although several brass cleaners can be bought in the market, simply using a damp cloth can serve your purpose very well. Tip 4: Polish the FaucetYo
22、u can occasionally polish the faucet. This will allow brass to maintain its shine and discourage tarnishing. Several products can be bought in the market to achieve this cause. However, you can also make a polishing paste at home by mixing similar quantities of vinegar, salt and flour.Tip 4: Regular
23、ly Oil your FaucetOiling is necessary to ensure that your faucet does not harden over a period of time. Since brass looks best in its natural outlook, it is recommended that you use natural oil to smooth the faucets functionality. Use of lubricants should be discouraged for the fact that lubricants
24、color may contrast with that of brass and its chemicals may affect the originality of brass.Tip 5: Use the Faucet GentlyLike any antique, a brass faucet requires gentleness in usage. Over tightening the screws when closing the tap can lead to cracking over a period of time. This can result in dripping and leakage. Therefore, it is recommended that the faucet be used gently and not over-tightened in closing to ensure longer durability.
