진전
Brass vs Copper: Which Metal for Fittings, Valves and Electrical?
Brass vs Copper: Which Metal for Fittings, Valves and Electrical?
Brass and copper are both red metals, but they are engineered for different jobs. Copper is pure, soft and conductive — the default for electrical and thermal applications. Brass is a copper-zinc alloy, 더 강하게, harder and easier to machine — the default for fittings, valves and hardware. This guide explains when to choose which.
The Core Difference
구리 (C11000 ETP) is 99.9 % pure copper. It conducts electricity at 101 % IACS and heat at 391 W/m·K, but it is soft (220 MPa tensile) and dents easily. 놋쇠 (C26000, C28000) adds 30 – 40 % zinc, raising tensile strength to 330 – 450 MPa and making it machinable, but conductivity drops to 25 – 28 % IACS. 요컨대: copper carries current and heat, brass carries load and threads. 우리를 참조하십시오 C11000 동판 그리고 C12200 동관.
| 재산 | 구리 (C11000) | 놋쇠 (C36000) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 99.9 % 구리 | 60 % 구리, 39 % 아연, 1 % 납 |
| 전기 전도성 | 101 % IACS | 26 % IACS |
| 인장강도 | 220 – 360 MPa | 330 – 450 MPa |
| 가공성 | 가난한 (gummy) | 훌륭한 (free-cutting) |
| 내식성 | 훌륭한 (atmospheric) | 좋은 (dezincification risk) |
| 일반적인 사용 | Busbars, 튜브, wire | 피팅, 밸브, 하드웨어 |
When to Use Which
Use copper for electrical busbars, 변압기 권선, 접지, water supply tube, refrigeration lines and heat exchangers. If the part carries current or heat, choose copper. Use brass for threaded fittings, valve bodies, pump components, 기어, bushings and decorative hardware. If the part needs to be machined to tight tolerances, hold a thread, or resist mechanical wear, choose brass. For plumbing, the tube is copper (C12200 DHP) but the fittings and valves are brass — that is the standard combination because the brass fitting is threaded and the copper tube is brazed onto it.
Common Mistakes
The most common error is using brass for electrical conductors because it looks “stronger.” Brass at 26 % conductivity runs hot and wastes energy — always use pure copper for current-carrying parts. The reverse error is using pure copper for valve bodies because it is “more corrosion resistant.” Pure copper is too soft to hold threads under pressure, and it will deform over time. The other risk with brass is dezincification: in aggressive water, the zinc leaches out, leaving porous copper that crumbles. For potable water, specify dezincification-resistant brass (DZR, C352) or use bronze instead.
