Different types of Brass

White brass contains more than 50% zinc and is too brittle for general use. The term may also refer to certain types of nickel silver alloys as well as Cu-Zn-Sn alloys with high proportions (typically 40%+) of tin and/or zinc, as well as predominantly zinc casting alloys with copper additive.



It is usually a silver-ish grey.

Does the edge look sparkly and porous when you break it? That would explain quite a few items I've found. Keys and soap dishes?

Originally Posted by Mulden

Does the edge look sparkly and porous when you break it? That would explain quite a few items I've found. Keys and soap dishes?

That sounds right, I found some red brass in a copper (actually brass) fireguards feet, like this pic>
The first time I have ever found any 'red brass'.

I did find some 'white brass' in some antique milking machinery. My guess is that its hard to find & only a little difference in price anyway.
Unless theres a lot, which can happen if you are scrapping machinery & find a large amount of certain parts, I'd put it in with brass.
Here, brass is worth$5 & Copper $7 a Kg, so the difference in price would only be a few 10's of cents.
Somebody will probably 'call me out' on that though.

I still have a pic in my mind of the scrapper who did a dive off the trucks bed so that a co'worker didn't put the Ali/bronze in with the Phosphur/bronze.....