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Brasses are extensively used for durable
decorative applications and for the manufacture of functional items where aesthetic appeal
is a requirement in addition to a long service life.
In brasses, the red of copper is toned to
a range of attractive yellow hues by the addition of varying amounts of zinc ranging from
the gold-like colours of the 95/5, 90/10, 85/15 and 80/20 alloys (appropriately called
"gilding metals") through the more subtle variations in the 70/30, 2/1 and 64/36
series of brasses to the stronger yellow colour of the 60/40 alloy, formerly known as
"yellow metal".
Aluminium brasses have a distinctive
silvery sheen.
The addition of manganese to certain
brasses gives them an attractive bronze colour when extruded.
High tensile brasses, some of which are
otherwise known as "manganese brasses" or previously "manganese
bronzes" are particularly suitable for architectural applications since they can also
be patinated to a range of durable brown and bronze finishes.
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