How to distinguish bronze from brass at home in appearance? What is the difference between bronze and brass in composition? Ways to distinguish bronze from brass with magnet, acid, heating

Ways to distinguish bronze and brass using a magnet, acid, heating.

Content

Bronze and brass are common alloys used to create parts, as well as some interior items. Outwardly, metals are really very similar, but there are many ways to distinguish them. In this article, we will tell you how to distinguish these metals at home.

How to distinguish bronze from brass at home in appearance?

Bronze is an alloy of copper with tin, there may be a small amount of other additives. In turn, brass is an alloy of copper with zinc. The ancient Romans began to use it, but then they introduced zinc ore into molten copper. The result was excellent metal, from which sculptures and statues were made. Outwardly, metals are really very similar, but the specialist can distinguish these two alloys with the naked eye. The most interesting thing is that in the 19th century fake coins were even made. After all, the color of the metal corresponds to gold.

Metal containing tin is more plastic, respectively, it is used for the manufacture of forged parts. In addition, it is characterized by high strength and hardness. Brass is also quite plastic, but more fragile. Comes from the word berenj, it means copper. It is not used where resistance to abrasion is needed.

In fact, two metal are very similar, as it contains mainly copper. But impurities completely determine their properties. A tin mixture is the favorite material of sculptors due to durability and wear resistance. The zinc alloy is less durable and is quickly abrasion.

What is the difference between bronze and brass in composition?

The characteristic differences between these two metals should be expected only if they are quite clean. But the fact is that now there are a huge number of varieties of both brass and bronze. Very often, tin is not added to the bronze and a mixture of aluminum, berylia and magnesium is introduced as an alloying element. Thanks to this, the color of the metal also changes very much. If the tin content in the metal is quite high, and reaches 40%, then in this case its color can fluctuate up to white. That is, it resembles steel.

At the same time, only a light golden hue gives. In general, the metal is almost silver. Regarding the brass, then if it has a large amount of zinc, then the color of the metal is such as in gold. Quite often, it is this material that is used for the manufacture of a variety of jewelry and cheap jewelry. Such jewelry looks quite organic, pretty, while they differ in a low price.

How to distinguish bronze from brass using a magnet?

If it comes to a variety of alloys, then it is quite difficult to distinguish bronze from brass, because they can be practically identical. Many experts believe that bronze is heavier than brass. This is indeed associated with the content of tin and lead, which are quite heavy.
Brass is much easier due to the presence of zinc. You can conduct several simple experiments in order to find out which of the metals is in front of you. Almost always bronze is magnetized, due to the presence of tin.
That is, if you bring a strong enough magnet, you will see significant magnetization. The higher the tin content in the metal, the more magnetized. Brass, in turn, does not show magnetic properties, that is, when the magnet is added, it does not stick at all.

Ways to distinguish bronze from brass with heating, sawing

You can determine the variety of metal by heating. However, this method is suitable only if you have your own workshop or garage. The fact is that for this experience you need a gas cutter. Heat a sample of the proposed material using a gas burner to 600 degrees.

If then try to bend it, then bronze will easily break. When heated, it becomes quite fragile and does not bend. Brass, in turn, bends very well and melts easily. This is due to the presence of zinc. This material is more plastic and supple in the heating process than tin.

Many advise to determine the alloy to take a hacksaw, a little bit of the product, and pay attention to the quality of the chips that has formed. Metal with tin is sawn with tiny flakes, which are fragile. That is, as a result, you will receive fine dust, which is not quite like chips. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of tin in the composition of bronze, which crumbles and, as it were, breaks off from the main piece of metal. Brass is sawn in a completely different way, forming layers, as well as a characteristic orphaned chip.

Laboratory methods to distinguish brass bronze

All these methods are suitable only if you want to distinguish a standard brass from bronze, which contains maximum tin, as well as zinc. Otherwise, the tests will be quite complicated, due to the fact that there is a rehanted bronze that does not contain tin at all. Accordingly, the color of the metal will be absolutely not like that. Therefore, at home, it is quite difficult to find out the composition of the metal. In laboratory conditions, the composition is most often determined using spectrographic and refractometric analysis.

I exist with nitric acid tests. For testing, a little shake of alloys is poured into the container and 50% nitric acid is poured. The mixture of the tubes must be a little heated. In the test tube with brass, the alloy will be dissolved and you will receive a transparent solution. In the tin of the tower, there will be a white precipitate of its salts.

Differences in the nature of the break and evaluate the finished product

Many generally say why to understand the brass or copper if the two alloys look almost the same? But the fact is that this is important for many, in particular for people who will be engaged in the manufacture of some sculptures or remelting. Accordingly, very often the difference is required if you are going to hand over the metal for scrap metal.

The fact is that brass is cheaper than bronze, respectively, at the metal collection point they can simply deceive, offer a smaller amount. If the weight is small, then the losses will be insignificant, But If you have a fairly large amount of goods, then you will lose a decent amount of money. It is worth noting,that there is no need to conduct tests, just look at the finished products. Brave is almost never used in shipping.

This material, when exposed to sea salt water, is destroyed, respectively, compasses, some parts in the shipbuilding are used exclusively bronze. Therefore, if you are trying to deceive you, insist on checking the goods, or contact the certified center. They usually have reception points, as well as small compact laboratories. They can carry out a quick, simple analysis, and analyze the goods on laboratory equipment.

It is quite easy to distinguish between metals when viewing the place of fracture. Brave breaks with rather small grains, bronze is broken off in large pieces, has large granularity. At the same time, the color of the broken bronze with a reddish tint, if it is brass, then with whitish or yellowish.

Unfortunately, at home, these methods cannot be used due to the lack of laboratory equipment. For home users, tests with a magnet and chips are available. They are also very informative.