Over the past year or so I have noticed that many participants of this board use the words Brass and Bronze interchangelby. Unfortunatley many novice boaters do. In fact there is a substantial difference between the two metals.
By definition, brass is an alloy of Copper and Zinc (and usually lead). Bronze, on the other hand, is an alloy of Copper and Tin. Do not use brass in any matine environment, PERIOD. In addition to being weaker and less corrosion resistant than Bronze, the zinc oxide that brass produces as it corrodes will attack the lignum in any wood near by and cause the wood to rod. Unfortunately most (if not all) of the fittings sold by the major discount marine chains are now made is Asia in brass. Even those that they label as "Bronze" are frequently brass. Since the place of manufacture is "off shore" they do not have to abide by the U.S. truth in advertising laws.
Yes - Brass is less expensive!
Yes - Brass is more available!
Yes - you will have to replace it much more often.
Yes - Brass will corode more quickly and damage or endanger your boat as it does so. AND
Yes - You will sound like a novice rather than an experiencd sailor if you confuse one with the other.
Anyone on the East Coast that would like to learn more about marine metalurgy is welcome to attend my seminar on Marine Metals at the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory on 27 April. Reservations can be made by calling 215-755-2400.
Roger W.
Bristol Bronze
Brass VS Bronze
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Da. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Thank you Roger,...........
Sir,
Sur, and I know the difference! But, the house water fittings on Hanalei ARE brass, and after two years they ARE green! But they are only for domestic water, is this a problem? Every thing that is nautical on Hanalei IS bronze, and I would have nothin' else.....
Honored Sir, I remain....your servant.............
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA Number ONE ! ! !
Sur, and I know the difference! But, the house water fittings on Hanalei ARE brass, and after two years they ARE green! But they are only for domestic water, is this a problem? Every thing that is nautical on Hanalei IS bronze, and I would have nothin' else.....
Honored Sir, I remain....your servant.............
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA Number ONE ! ! !
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Bristol Bronze
Re: Thank you Roger,...........
Dear Admiral (and former Navy Hospital Corpsman) Stump,Da. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Sir,
Sur, and I know the difference! But, the house water fittings on Hanalei ARE brass, and after two years they ARE green! But they are only for domestic water, is this a problem? Every thing that is nautical on Hanalei IS bronze, and I would have nothin' else.....
Honored Sir, I remain....your servant.............
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA Number ONE ! ! !
As long and your brass fittings are used for domestic fresh water and not for sea water you should be fine. Even if you use just a slight bit of chlorine to kill the bacteria it will be fine. (Remember the .02 parts per million free residual chlorine for the shipboard fresh water systems in the Navy?) When brass comes in contact with the high salt content in sea water it will begin to dezincify. (Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.) The salt in sea water acts as a catalyst and speeds up the natural reaction between the copper and the zinc. For the rest of your fittings, Bronze (which is an alloy of copper and tin) will last you a good long while.
A year ago I replaced all the fittings from a boat built in 1892. The original Bronze fittings, although still working, were full of nicks, dings, and scratches. I polished up the best example of each piece and used those to make new ones. The remarkable part is that the original fittings, at 109 years old, were still doing their job and probably would have lasted a few more years.
Roger W. (HM1 USNR)
Bristol Bronze
401-625-5224
info@bristolbronze.com