Brass is the general name of yellow alloys obtained by adding zinc to copper.

Some other elements that can be found in brass are tin, lead, nickel, manganese, iron, aluminum, arsenic, antimony and phosphorus. Some brasses containing manganese are also called bronze. In fact, gunmetal (or bronze) is a copper-tin alloy. Brass is a very tough and easily processed material. Malleability is dependent on copper content. White rice containing less than 55% copper cannot be easily processed. These can only be used in brazing processes by being pulverized. Malleable brasses are generally cold-workable alpha brasses containing more than 62% copper, and beta-brass containing less copper and requiring hot working. Alpha brass has superior cold working properties and is widely used in making bolts, pins and screws. Beta brass, on the other hand, is less ductile but more durable. They are mainly used in the manufacture of faucet valves, door and window handles and some fittings.