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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Beneficial Properties of Copper

For centuries, copper has been widely used for various applications in many industries. Its unique properties make it one of the most valuable metals ever discovered. This metal is the backbone of the world’s power generation infrastructure. The already large demand for it is expected to only increase with time. More dependable providers will be forced to produce more to meet the growing demand for copper in the solar energy and electronics industries.

Since copper is highly conductive, it is preferred for manufacturing components of electronic devices. Copper is also used for construction purposes; many building components such as roofing are made of copper because of the metal’s high corrosion resistance. Unlike iron that can immediately form rust as it makes contact with oxygen, copper passivates to counter the effect of oxidation. Passivation is the process by which the surface of a certain metal reacts to oxygen by forming a protective film rather than rust.

Alloys of copper and many other metals are also popular products. Copper mixed with other elements result in alloys that have industrial and commercial uses as versatile as ball bearings, mechanical components, and ornamental pieces.

For instance, bronze is the result of copper and tin being mixed; when shaped, this metal is used in musical instruments. Another kind of alloy is brass, which is copper combined with zinc; in use for thousands of years already, brass is employed in a wide variety of functions, including sculpture and indoor decoration.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Get to Know Two of Copper’s Alloys

Copper is—together with its alloys—one of the most versatile metals known to man. The ideal combination of its most valuable qualities—conductivity, malleability, ductility, and corrosion-resistance—make the metal perfect for use in a wide range of applications. What’s more, these qualities can be further enhanced when composition variations are infused into its manufacturing process.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Buying and Fitting Brass Compression Fittings

Brass compression fittings and tubes are used in plumbing or electrical applications for joining tubes or thin-walled pipes together, especially if both are made of dissimilar materials. While they are technically easy to install, there are a few things you should consider before buying your equipment and setting it up.
Buy for Compatibility
Check to make sure that the fittings are compatible with the application’s flow pressure, temperature, and process fluid. Otherwise, you might end up in need of replacement sooner than you’re comfortable with. Moreover, make sure that the fittings you’ve bought are not contaminated or corroded by the time you install it.
Clean the Tubes
Make sure that you get the tubes cleaned out before you install them. You can do this simply by running them through running water and letting them dry before setup. This is important because in many cases, the presence of substances that block the tubes could lead to leaks. Moreover, remember that your brass compression tubing can only be used for stationary pipes.
Test for Leaks
After you’ve successfully installed them, check your fittings for leaks. Seal the threads and all the other parts of your brass fittings so that you won’t have to disassemble every component in case you find any leak signs. Make sure that you do not apply too much force when putting the compression fittings in place.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Building the Best Window Cleaner

Every handyman needs a good set of tools to make the job a lot easier. Dealing with dirty windows is no sweat, provided you have a good window cleaner in your hands. In assembling an efficient window cleaner, or squeegee as it is more known, all you need is a visit to the nearest metal shop for some brass.
Before you build your squeegee, consider the size of your window. Small windows could use a squeegee that is almost as wide as the window size to avoid drips and streaks. Larger windows require a wider squeegee that measures half of the window size so you can use lesser strokes in cleaning.
A squeegee has two vital parts: the channel, and the rubber. The rubber is the one touching the window surface, so you might want to choose rounded, firm, and flexible ones to avoid getting streaks. In choosing the channel, choose a brass channel since this metal is fire- and spark-resistant, anti-microbial, and doesn’t crack easily, giving your squeegee a longer lifespan.

Choose a good quality handle preferably made of brass, too, that is easy to grip, and you have yourself a dependable window squeegee. Now your windows will always be squeaky clean.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Home Décor Trend: Brass Tube, Nut, Pipe, Frame – Brass Everywhere!


Brass is not a recent innovation or discovery. In use by various civilizations around the world since the 5th millennium BC, the metal has a bright gold pigment that can be rolled, bended, thinned, and sliced easily into various shapes and sizes. It has a low melting point, and therefore higher malleability than bronze and zinc. It’s very easy to shape and cast, whether one needs a refined brass square tube, a nut and bolt, a fitting for a home ornament, or any other component; the versatility of the metal is such that it can be used for almost anything. It is also non-ferromagnetic, which means that brass cannot attract other metals and is fully recyclable.
http://rotaxmetals.net/home-decor-trend-brass-tube-nut-pipe-frame-brass-everywhere/