Brass Details: The Best 14 Brass Elements for Your Home

204 Brass is a versatile alloy known for its strength and corrosion resistance. This guide examines its properties and common applications to help you understand why it’s valued in various industries.

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K&S 0.025” x 2” Brass Strips

These brass strips are incredibly versatile for craft and hobby projects. The pure brass material makes them easy to shape, cut, and bend into just the right form for your creation. Available in a variety of sizes, from 0.025” to larger widths, these thin strips excel as spacers, shims, or decorative elements in your next build.

Don-Jo EL-204-BP Brass Plated Strike

Made from durable brass-plated steel, these extended lip strikes fit doors between 1-3/8 and 2 inches thick. The 13-gauge construction feels solid when you use them, and they work great whether you’re inside or out. The hefty design helps prevent damage to adjacent surfaces when you’re striking doors open or closed.

SOSS 204 Invisible Hinge

These sleek satin-brass hinges transform ordinary furniture into works of art, hiding the mechanism that enables smooth, concealed movement. At just 2.375 inches wide, each hinge requires precise mortising to achieve its signature invisible effect. While installation demands careful work with a router or precise chiseling skills, the result is a nearly seam-free joint that allows doors and panels to open and close with barely noticeable motion.

Schlage 16-204 Replacement Deadlatch

When your door’s stubborn deadlatch finally decides to give up, these replacement pieces from Schlage are just the ticket. I recently fitted two of these bad boys into 14-year-old doors that had seen better days, and though the process took a few minutes longer than installing a new doorknob, it was a fraction of the cost. The best part? The installer-friendly round corners make it a breeze to pop these into place.

SOSS Model 204 Cabinet Hinge

These vintage-inspired brass hinges possess a timeless elegance that seamlessly integrates into both modern and traditional cabinet designs. With their minimalist profile and concealed mechanism, they create a clean, uninterrupted surface on doors and drawers. The solid construction and smooth operation ensure they maintain their pristine appearance and functionality for years to come.

RangeMaxx .20-.204 Caliber Slotted Brass Cleaning Rod Tips

This high-rated brass bore brush tackles tough cleaning jobs with its stiff copper and brass bristles, efficiently removing lead, copper fouling, and powder residue from your firearm’s bore. The threaded design makes it compatible with most standard cleaning rods, while its simple construction keeps maintenance needs to a minimum.

Schaub 204-SSB Northport Brass

The elegant Northport Series from Schaub and Company brings a touch of sophistication to any space, thanks to its beautifully crafted brass finish and clean lines. The durable zinc construction makes it a practical choice for both residential and commercial settings, while the included mounting hardware makes installation a breeze. Whether you’re matching it with other pieces in the Northport Collection or simply adding it to your decor, this piece fits seamlessly into any room.

Conbraco 38-204-01 Vacuum Breaker

This 3/4” NPT vacuum breaker features a durable rough brass finish that resists corrosion and water damage. Its sleek design fits seamlessly into any outdoor setup while protecting your irrigation system from siphonage and backflow.

USA Industrials BULK-CGF-204 Cam and Groove Fitting

Crafted from durable brass with Buna-N sealing, this two-inch cam and groove coupling handles everything from chilly water mains to steamy industrial processes. Meeting the demanding standards of A-A-59326, it’s built to last in demanding environments where leaks and failures aren’t an option.

Plumbest D60-204 Shower Stall and Floor Drain

This shower stall drain features a polished brass finish that pairs beautifully with any bathroom fixture, while its cast iron construction and clever weep hole design ensure reliable water drainage. The dual-locking system makes installation a breeze, and the innovative no-caulk option means you can complete your installation without messy sealants. The finish matches leading faucet brands perfectly, giving your bathroom a cohesive look.

Sutemribor 204 Brass Round Rod Bar Stock

These pretty golden brass rods are a bit smaller than expected at just over 1/8 inch in diameter, but they’re a solid 14 inches long and come four to a package. The seller seems to really care about their customers and has very particular quality standards for their 204 brass stock.

D’Artefax 4 3/4” Center Bar Pull

Crafted from durable brass with a touch of elegant pewter, this center bar pull adds both style and substance to any cabinet or drawer. The expertly designed pull comes with everything you need, including screws, to install it quickly and securely in place.

K&S Precision Metals Brass Tube Set

This versatile brass tubing assortment includes a dozen precision-machined pieces ideal for craft, engineering, and educational projects. The high-quality 204 brass tubes, measuring 12 inches in length with 0.014-inch walls, arrive in a handy set with both square and rectangular profiles. Perfectly finished and available in mill condition, these building blocks transform simple DIY tasks into professional-grade creations.

JMC Unprimed Rifle Brass .308 Winchester 60098563

The JMC unprimed rifle brass offers shooters the opportunity to save money by reloading their own. 308 Winchester/. 762mm ammunition. However, some buyers have reported receiving different brass than what’s advertised, in this case 7.62mm Armscor brass from the Philippines instead of the high-quality JMC product. While the brass is suitable for reloading, the experience has been disappointing for those who received the substitute material, highlighting the importance of careful verification of product information.

Buyer’s Guide

204 Brass is a widely used alloy in plumbing and manufacturing due to its durability and excellent electrical conductivity. When selecting 204 Brass products, several key factors influence performance and longevity.

Alloy Composition

204 Brass typically contains zinc and copper, with specific ratios affecting properties like strength and corrosion resistance. Higher zinc content improves solderability but reduces hardness.

Corrosion Resistance

The alloy’s resistance to atmospheric and seawater corrosion makes it suitable for outdoor applications. However, its performance can vary based on local environmental conditions and alloy purity.

Mechanical Properties

Key mechanical characteristics include tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation. These properties determine the material’s suitability for different fabrication processes and application requirements.

Electrical Conductivity

204 Brass offers good electrical conductivity, making it valuable in electrical applications. The material’s resistivity can vary based on alloy composition and heat treatment.

FAQ

What is 204 Brass?

204 Brass, also known as Naval Brass, is an alloy composed primarily of copper and zinc with a copper-zinc ratio of 43:57. This specific composition gives 204 Brass its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and machinability.

The distinguishing feature of 204 Brass is its high strength due to its higher zinc content compared to many other brass alloys. This makes it suitable for applications requiring both strength and corrosion resistance.

How Does 204 Brass Compare to Other Brass Alloys?

Compared to standard brass, 204 Brass offers superior strength and better resistance to dezincification, which is the process where the zinc leaches out of brass, leaving behind a porous residue. It performs slightly better than brass alloys with similar compositions but may not be as corrosion-resistant as copper-nickel alloys.

Its mechanical properties lie between those of red brass (copper-zinc alloys) and bronze (copper-tin alloys). 204 Brass is generally stronger than red brass while maintaining good machinability.

What Applications Are Best Suited for 204 Brass?

Due to its high strength and machinability, 204 Brass is ideal for cold heading, drawing, and extrusion processes. It’s commonly used in hardware manufacturing, plumbing fixtures, and electrical components where strength and corrosion resistance are critical.

Its suitability for marine environments makes it popular for marine hardware, while its good electrical conductivity makes it useful for electrical connector applications.

How Should 204 Brass Be Properly Maintained?

Regular cleaning with a mild detergent and water is recommended to prevent the formation of surface corrosion. Avoid abrasive cleaning methods that can damage the metal’s protective surface film.

If the brass shows signs of corrosion, such as greenish-brown staining, it should be cleaned and treated with a corrosion-resistant primer before further use. The metal should be kept dry when not in use to prevent moisture-related corrosion.

What Safety Precautions Should Be Taken When Working with 204 Brass?

When machining 204 Brass, use appropriate respiratory protection due to the zinc content, which can produce toxic fumes when heated. Wear protective eyewear to prevent metal chips from causing eye injuries.

Handle the metal with care during processing to prevent cuts from sharp edges and maintain machine tools properly to avoid metal debris accumulation.

How is 204 Brass Recycled?

204 Brass can be effectively recycled through standard metal recycling processes. It retains its properties after recycling, making it suitable for reuse in various applications.

Recycling facilities typically sort brass based on alloy type, with 204 Brass needing different processing conditions than other brass alloys to maintain quality.

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