Why is zinc used to make brass alloys?

Zinc is added to copper to create brass primarily to enhance the material's mechanical and physical properties, making it more versatile for industrial and domestic use. While unalloyed zinc has poor engineering properties, its addition to copper creates an alloy valued for its significant hardness and workability.12

The specific benefits of using zinc in brass include:

• Improved Mechanical Properties: Brass alloys exhibit high strength and excellent workability, allowing them to be shaped through processes like rolling, pressing, drawing, and extrusion.23
• Tailored Ductility: The malleability of the alloy can be adjusted by varying the zinc content. For example, alpha brasses (typically less than 40 percent zinc) are highly suitable for cold-working, while those with higher zinc content offer increased strength for applications like faucet handles and fittings.23
• Corrosion Resistance: Brass provides good resistance to corrosion, which can be further improved by adding other elements, such as tin, to create specialized naval or admiralty brasses.23
• Aesthetic Versatility: The color of the alloy can be modified by adjusting the zinc concentration, ranging from red to yellow and gold-like hues.43