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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Protecting the Brass Square Tube from Corrosion

Like many copper alloys, brass has proudly proven its irreplaceable significance in industry. Exhibiting the same malleability, ductility, and excellent thermal conductivity as its mother metal copper, brass is a viable alternative for use in cooling and heating systems. To be specific, brass fittings and tubes are used in the manufacturer of heat exchangers, as the alloy is tough, versatile, and highly-resistant to damage.


Brass Types

With varying ratios of copper and zinc, one can choose from a variety of brasses that will fit perfectly with any project, whether it is for industrial, structural, or decorative purposes. Some classifications include red brass, yellow brass, cartridge brass, and engraving brass. The alloy may also be purchased as a brass square tube, rods, extrusions, channels, and even sheets with multiple gauges and widths.


Limitations of the Alloy

When exposed to moisture and humidity, brass can lose some of its zinc content, a process known as dezincification. Research has found that brass surfaces that have exhibited prior dezincification are more prone to further damage by stress corrosion cracking (SCC).


Many studies have attempted to put brass tubes under further stress to see how such corrosive effects can alter the alloy’s properties. When brass has already begun to show signs of SCC, there is a decrease in its tensile strength.


Preventing Corrosion and Damage

While SCC can not be completely avoided in industrial settings, machine workers can control its effects by inspecting machine parts regularly. Equipment must be calibrated so that the appropriate amount of stress is delivered to each part of the system as needed. To date, more research efforts and tests are being done to further improve the physical properties of copper alloys like bronze and brass.

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