Where there's muck there's Brass

Posted in The World Of Metal on 21st October 2010

Where there’s muck there’s Brass (In this context Brass is a UK Slang word for money) or so the saying goes. So what is Brass? Brass is a copper zinc alloy the ratios vary depending upon the properties required. So why use the word brass as a slang term for money? Well perhaps it can be explained by its extensive use in producing coins.

Nickel brass, which is used in producing the UK’s one pound coins, is an alloy containing roughly 70% copper, 24.5% zinc and 5.5% nickel. Yet another brass alloy, Nordic gold, is a type of brass alloy that is used in producing the 10, 20 and 50 cent Euro coins has a composition of around 89% copper, 5% aluminium, 5% zinc and 1% tin. Another to add to the list of coinage that has been produced using brass would be manganese brass. This alloy, typically comprising 70% copper, 29% zinc and 1.3% manganese is used to produce “golden dollar” coins in the USA.

Brass of course does have many other uses. For example in clothing it is used in zips, brass still enjoys a role around the household for example in door furniture being made into knockers, locks, handles and letter boxes.

It is not that long ago that many household essentials were made entirely from brass think of the candlesticks and snuffers, the scales, the toasting forks & fire irons still seen although rarely used today.

Brasses industrial uses include bearings and gears and a host of naval applications.

One area that must get a mention of course is music. Brass has enjoyed quite a reputation for being used to produce a range of musical instruments. The saxophones, trumpets, trombones, French horns and all that jazz. It brings music to my ears. And if you’ve got brass in your pocket don’t forget to tip the busker.

William Rowland Ltd are ferro alloys suppliers, high purity metals suppliers, metal powders suppliers, nickel powder suppliers, nickel alloy suppliers and tin suppliers. If you would like to find out how we can meet your requirements, please contact us using the Quick Enquiry Form on the right-hand side of this website.

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