Brass and Zinc metal equipment questions

B

Boston Man

New member
I bought some quick connects and shut off valves from Lowes. I got brass ones and zinc ones. Whats the difference between the two?



On the brass one, the tag said "this brass contains lead." Do i need to be worried about anything there?
 
Brass is a copper alloy (copper and tin). Lead is added to the brass to increase machinability. Zinc is a different metal. As long as you don't eat them you should be fine.
 
Um...not really. I think the brass probably has a bit higher tensile strength (stronger), but the zinc doesn't get the cuprous oxide (green) corrosion. Zinc oxide is white.
 
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