Brass Recycling

Brass Recycling - Brass is not an element metal in it's self but since it's used so commonly and descibed as it's own metal, it deserves it's own section. Copper is the base element found in brass, alloyed with a high percentage of zinc. You will also find information here on a couple of commonly bought bronze alloys. Common terms and information in recycling brass are given below.

Yellow Brass

This is the most commonly used brass - used in household plumbing including popular items such as your faucets and "under the sink" plumbing. Most your door keys will also be yellow brass. Although many different alloy percentages can be found, yellow brass usually contains around 60% to 70% copper, 30% to 40% zinc and trace amounts of lead and tin. Yellow brass gets it's name because the very apparent yellow color. Yellow brass prices often reflect the price of copper but demand is also key, as with any alloyed metal.

Red Brass

Although diminishing in use, this brass is still commonly recycled. The reddish pink tint gives this brass its name. The red tint is due to the high amount of copper that usually will be found, which is commonly made up of 85% Copper, 15% Zinc and very small traces of Lead and Tin. Common uses are sprinklers and shut off valves but many other items can be found.

Semi-red Brass

This has modernly replaced red brass as we've known it. Cheaper element mixture and equally as useful as red brass, it's defined use has made this all but replace red brass. The common element alloys are 80% copper, 10% zinc, 5% tin, 2-3% lead and other trace elements. It's common uses are similar to red brass that includes shut off valves, sprinkler's and other not as common items.

Other types of brass that we purchase are known as Naval Brass, Machinery Brass and 85/15. We also buy brass heater cores.