The New Student's Reference Work/Brass

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. The most common method is to melt the copper first and then put in the zinc. Brass is used in many ways in the arts, on account of its ease in working and its color. It is harder than copper, but can be easily worked. It is readily cast, rolled, stamped and worked in various other ways. Different varieties are made by varying the proportions of the two metals. Ordinary brass contains about seventy parts of copper and thirty of zinc. Yellow metal contains more zinc. It is rolled into sheets and used for sheathing ships. Tombac, prince's metal, mosaic gold, etc. are among the numerous varieties. By adding tin, brass is made stronger; while lead makes it harder, so that it can be more readily worked in the lathe. Brass can be cleaned with nitric acid.