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C41100 Lubaloy is a wrought
copper alloy Copper alloys are metal alloys that have copper as their principal component. They have high resistance against corrosion. The best known traditional types are bronze, where tin is a significant addition, and brass, using zinc instead. Both of th ...
that is composed mainly of copper and zinc. Lubaloy possesses many favorable characteristics making it, and other types of
brass Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other wit ...
, a popular choice in manufacturing. It is a source material in many processes including the creation of electrical components and
bullet A bullet is a kinetic projectile, a component of firearm ammunition that is shot from a gun barrel. Bullets are made of a variety of materials, such as copper, lead, steel, polymer, rubber and even wax. Bullets are made in various shapes and co ...
-making. There are both positive and negative health effects that are associated with the use of this material. Lubaloy is made from combining 91% copper, 8.5% zinc, and 0.5% tin. Proportional variances are utilized for application specific demands of each desired material component. The range of compositions can vary from around 81 to 95% copper, 3 to 18% zinc, and 0.5 to 2% tin. A common variation of the Lubaloy
alloy An alloy is a mixture of chemical elements of which at least one is a metal. Unlike chemical compounds with metallic bases, an alloy will retain all the properties of a metal in the resulting material, such as electrical conductivity, ductility, ...
type in Lubaloy X 425, with a composition of 88% copper, 10% zinc, and 2% tin.


History

Documented use of
brass Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other wit ...
dates back to early Romans, and is referenced in the King James Bible. In 1922, the
Western Cartridge Company The Western Cartridge Company is an American manufacturer of small arms and ammunition that is based in East Alton, Illinois. Founded in 1898, it was the forerunner of the Olin Corporation, formed in 1944, of which Western is still a subsidiary. ...
introduced a copper-washed bullet jacketing called Lubaloy which stands for lubricating alloy. Lubaloy replaced standard bullet jacketing which had been gilding metal,
cupro-nickel Cupronickel or copper-nickel (CuNi) is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. The copper content typically varies from 60 to 90 percent. (Monel is a nickel-copper alloy that contains a min ...
coated steel or solid cupro-nickel. The original jacketing was found to be detrimental to
magnum cartridge A magnum cartridge is a firearm cartridge with a larger case size than, or derived from, a similar cartridge of the same projectile (bullet) caliber and case shoulder shape. The term derives from the .357 Magnum, the original cartridge with this ...
firearm performance over time. Lumps of the hot jacketing were deposited near the end of the barrel during firing, eventually creating a hazard or destroying the barrel. The problem was solved in the UK, where
Kynoch Kynoch was a manufacturer of ammunition, later incorporated into ICI but remaining as a brand name for sporting cartridges. History The firm of Pursall and Phillips operated a 'percussion cap manufactory' at Whittall Street, in Birmingham, in ...
developed a new kind of brass similar to gilding metal with a little tin alloyed which became a breakthrough solution to this persistent dilemma, branded Nobeloy due to merge of the company into the Nobel Industries conglomerate. It was composed of 90% copper, 8% zinc, and 2% tin and was licensed to the WCC under the name of Lubaloy or Lubaloy-Palma. Lubaloy can be fabricated using blanking, forming, and drawing processes. The early versions of brass were created by co-smelting mixed ores. The process was called cementation, which involved heating zinc and copper in a closed
crucible A crucible is a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures. While crucibles were historically usually made from clay, they can be made from any material that withstands t ...
with charcoal. This dates back to the 7th century BC in Greece. Sometimes the zinc ore was pre-heated to produce metallic zinc which condensed from the hot vapour. This was called speltering. It produced a superior product where the purity can be controlled and modified. This process was noted from around 1000 AD in India. Today full-scale production is more stream-lined; modern
smelters Smelting is a process of applying heat to ore, to extract a base metal. It is a form of extractive metallurgy. It is used to extract many metals from their ores, including silver, iron, copper, and other base metals. Smelting uses heat and a ch ...
and electrolytic refineries are used.


Uses

This alloy is widely used because it is soft and more malleable than copper or zinc alone. It offers great cold
workability {{Short pages monitor