Accepted Types of Brass

Brass Shell Casings are 70/30 brass. 

This material is typically collected from shooting ranges where they must be discharged and no longer contain explosives. 

Manganese Bronze is similar to yellow brass, with the big difference being that the manganese bronze will have a slight magnetic draw to it. 

This material is often found as marine propellers, engine pumps, engine frames, valves, rings and gears because of its corrosion resistance, strength, and flexibility.  

Shall have a copper content of not less than 55%, a lead content of not more than 1%, and shall be free of aluminum bronze and silicon bronze. 

All foreign materials must be removed.

Copper/Brass radiators were the standard in the automotive industry until the 1980.

It is still common in semis and aftermarket radiators.

They will have copper fins and brass tubing and head tanks. 

Clean CR/BR radiators will have no foreign materials attached.

CU/BR radiators that still have steel frames surrounding them and other foreign materials. 

Upgrade by removing steel casings and all other foreign materials.

These will have a full iron frame with braces having a mid recovery. 

Price is lower per pound due to the amount of steel encasing radiator.

Machinery or Hard Brass Solids Shall have a copper content no less than 75%, a tin content no less than 6%, and a lead content no less than 6% nor more than 11%, and total impurities, exclusive of zinc, antimony, and nickel no more than 0.75%; the antimony content not to exceed 0.50%. 

All foreign materials must be removed.

Red brass is the second most common type of brass at a scrapyard, typically found as valves, machinery bearings, and parts. 

The typical chemical composition is 85% Cu, 5% Zn, 5% Pb, 5% Sn. 

Shall consist of red brass scrap, valves, machinery bearings and other machinery parts, including miscellaneous castings made of copper, tin, zinc, and/or lead.

This category is for red brass that is contaminated with foreign materials such as, iron, aluminum, copper, rubber, and plastic. 

Yellow brass is the most common type of brass found in plumbing, hardware, ornaments, keys, plaques, and even musical instruments. 

Shall consist of mixed yellow brass solids, including brass castings, rolled brass, rod brass, tubing and miscellaneous yellow brasses, including plated brass. 

Dirty Brass or irony brass is brass that still has ferrous or other contaminants attached to it. 

This grade shall consist of yellow brass with ferrous material. 

Dirty Brass is bought & sold on a recovery basis.

Yellow brass shavings, turnings, or borings, are the yellow brass residuals left behind from the machining process. 

Shall consist of yellow brass turnings, free of aluminum, manganese and composition turnings, not to contain over 3% of  iron, oil or other moisture, to be free of grindings and babbitts.