Table of Contents
What exactly is bronze?
One of the first metal alloys was bronze. Metal artisans combined copper and tin to create a strong and pliable material, meaning it would not shatter as easily as iron. Bronze hasn’t altered much aside from decreasing lead levels and the rare addition of manganese, aluminum, or nickel. This material may only be used to make parts by either casting it into a mold or machining a pre-cast bronze ingot.
The surface of bronze is rough and porous, with small cavities. The reason for this is because of the casting process. Bronze alloys with specific additions, on the other hand, can keep a polish and are less abrasive. Bronze offers several advantages, including high ductility (the ability to resist cracking), corrosion resistance, and a low cost.
Bronze valves can be used for various purposes, including safety relief, flow direction control, flow shut-off, and more! Lead-free bronze valves for potable water are available, but they must meet or surpass the lead requirements imposed by the Clean Water Act.
What exactly is brass?
Brass is a relatively young material compared to bronze. It is mostly copper and zinc. However, it has a wide range of applications. There are a variety of brass alloys available, each with its own set of qualities. Brass is a pliable metal that is simple to deal with. This makes casting, forging, heat extrusion, and cold drawing a breeze. Brass, like bronze, is very corrosion resistant, although it can break down when exposed to high quantities of chlorine.
Hongda Valve has a significant advantage over bronze valves in lead content. In most circumstances, this makes brass suitable for drinking water. Because of their low, brass valves are also used as shut-off valves in natural gas lines. Brass is a far more effective answer than bronze in almost every scenario, but it is also significantly more expensive. The price disparity is an issue for many people, but it is usually justified.
Valves made of bronze
Bronze is usually manufactured from a copper-tin alloy. It has better crack resistance than iron, is pliable, and can be cast or machined into valves and other components. Some types of brass now incorporate manganese, aluminum, or nickel, and brass valves with reduced levels of lead, which are occasionally low enough to meet the Clean Water Act, are also available.
The Benefits of Bronze Valves
There are a few advantages of using bronze valves. These are the following:
- Cost-effective (sometimes cheaper than brass valves)
- The high amount of ductility
- Corrosion-resistance
The Drawbacks of Bronze Valves
Bronze valves, on the other hand, have some drawbacks. These are the following:
- Because it is cast, it has a high porosity, which might cause slow disintegration.
- Rough surface
- Content for the lead
- While most bronze valves have a porous surface, some bronze alloys with specific additions can hold a shine.
Bronze Valves’ Most Common Uses
Bronze valves are extensively employed in the petrochemical sector and high-performance applications, especially in maritime conditions where corrosion resistance is required.
Valves made of brass
Copper and zinc are the primary components of brass alloys. Brass is a pliable metal that may be forged or machined. Brass valves are preferred above bronze valves in terms of longevity and function. Let’s have a look at their advantages and disadvantages.
The following are some advantages of brass valves:
- Exceptionally corrosion-resistant (more so than bronze)
- Lead levels are extremely low (to non-existent)
- Extremely long-lasting
- Malleable
- Brass Valves’ Drawbacks
- Brass valves have the following potential drawbacks:
- Higher price point
- When exposed to high chlorine levels, it can undergo a caustic dezincification process
Brass Valves’ Most Common Uses
Brass valves, like bronze valves, are widely utilized in the petrochemical and maritime industries due to their strong corrosion resistance. Brass shut-off valves and ball valves are also common in the natural gas business, where it has been shown that Teflon-sealed brass valves can tolerate fire exposure just as well as more expensive stainless steel valves.
You now understand the distinction between bronze and brass valves.
Now that you understand the differences between bronze and brass valves, you can make an educated decision about which is better for certain applications.
