How can I know if a metal is brass or not?

Answer 1

Brass is golden / yellow in colour, copper is red / orange. Brass will tarnish more rapidly with dilute acid, as the Zinc in the alloy reacts. Copper is a little more "gummy" if touched with a file, where as Brass gives clean hard shavings.

Answer 2

Studying the aspect, density, hardness or applying a method of analytical chemistry can be established the type of an alloy, sometimes the origin.

Also it is important to compare the object with another similar but very authentic objects, to evaluate the seller, etc.

Answer 3

Copper is easily scratched with a pocket knife. Brass is much harder and cannot be scratched easily. Also if the item has a powdery green patina then it is copper, Brass will not oxidize easily (Unless an electric current is applied in a moist enviroment). Brass is also usally lighter in color than copper. The tones of brass vary, but copper is fairly dark depending on its purity. Destinguishing bronz from copper can be a bit trickier. If you have a torch handy though it's easy when heated copper melts before brass or copper and emits a very distinct (and toxic) odor along with bright green light.

Answer 4

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Copper is a metal itself.

The copper in brass makes brass germicidal. The malleability and acoustic properties of brass have made it the optimal metal for Musical Instruments.

Brass alloys are 90% recycled.

Aluminum makes brass stronger and more corrosion resistant.

Answer 5

Brass objects were at one time made completely by hand, later by machine. So, you need to familiarize yourself with how machine and hand made items differ from a manufacturing perspective. To do that, you need to visit antiques shops and museums and acquaint yourself with how designs have changed over the years and what age patination is. Also, the mix of metals that went into making brass changed over the years. Really early brass is paler in colour reflecting that.

Answer 6

Real brass: a magnet will not stick to real brass. If it is brass plated/coated it may stick to it.

Answer 7

There are many metals, brass is one of them.

Answer 8

Brass is not magnetic, brass is a yellow color

Answer 9

Brass is a metal it is an alloy

Answer 10

bronze