Brass

Material

Wrought brass hardware, stamped, drawn or turned. It develops a natural patina and only needs an occasional wipe. Not suitable for regular salt water contact.

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Products: Brass, Rivets & Screws

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What brass is

An alloy of copper and zinc, sometimes with a little lead for easier machining. This page covers wrought brass: pieces stamped, drawn or turned from sheet, wire and bar. Brass sand casting is cast into moulds and has lower strength.

Why we use it for hardware

Brass is easy to form and machine, and because it is not an iron alloy, it does not rust. Our rivets, eyelets, studs, cord ends, zipper teeth and show chains are made from it. Many pieces are nickel-plated or gold-plated, and then the surface determines the look.

When to choose it and when to look elsewhere

  • Leather goods: brass without a finish has a warm golden tone that suits natural leather.
  • Sensitive skin: copper, the main metal in brass, rarely causes contact allergy. Nickel-plated pieces, however, have nickel on the surface, so for people with a nickel allergy choose a nickel-free finish.

For regular contact with salt water, take marine bronze or 316 stainless steel. Chlorides draw zinc out of brass and leave the metal porous and weak.

How it ages and how to care for it

Brass without a finish darkens to a patina; that is normal. Metal polish restores the shine, but use it sparingly, as each polishing removes a little metal. Wax or clear lacquer slows the darkening but does not stop it permanently. Do not use cleaners containing ammonia on brass.

Good to know

You can recognise zinc loss by the colour: the yellow surface first turns salmon pink and later reddish brown. Replace any load-bearing part that shows this change.

Values describe the bare material without a surface finish; the finish page says what changes.

  • Price

    Mid-range

    A mid-range price class. Compare its specific durability, weight and finish with the less expensive alternatives before choosing.

  • Strength

    High

    Suitable for strong, repeated pulling. Holds its shape under sustained loads better than materials in the lower strength classes.

  • Corrosion resistance

    Outdoor exposure

    Suitable for typical outdoor contact with rain and dew without a protective coating. More demanding environments, such as salt water or chemicals, require a different rating.

  • Water

    Fresh-water immersion

    Suitable for repeated wetting and immersion in fresh water. Any care requirements for the complete product still depend on its other materials and components.

Weight Heavy The highest weight class in this comparison. Better suited to larger products and applications where low weight is not a priority.
Allergy risk Low contact-reaction risk The material has a low risk of causing a contact reaction in normal use. Individual sensitivity varies, and the selected surface finish and other components also matter.
Aging Develops patina Naturally changes colour tone and surface texture. This is not a defect; it is a property of the material. The patina develops gradually and may differ from one piece to another.
Maintenance Occasional cleaning Wipe occasionally with a dry or slightly damp cloth. No specialist products or fixed care schedule are required.