Is brass better for plumbing than stainless steel?

 

The choice between brass and stainless steel plumbing is very important when deciding the correct material for your project. One material is often more suitable for a particular project than the other because of the differences between them. In this article, we will focus on a comparison of brass and stainless steel. 

 

Brass 

Brass is an alloy of copper which means that it is more durable than plastic. Because of this additional strength, they are more expensive than the PVC or plastic valves, even though they are not the most expensive. Copper and zinc are usually present in brass, but sometimes other metals are present as well. It can resist corrosion better than plastic valves due to the nature of its soft nature. The high heat tolerance of brass makes it an ideal choice for use in plumbing at home. Brass valves are also cheaper and easier to install.

 

There are, however, some disadvantages to brass valves. Lead is often present in brass valves. The maximum lead content of brass valves is generally less than 2%, but this still causes some skepticism. A brass valve may only be used if it is certified lead-free by the FDA. 

                         

Stainless Steel 

Steel is a durable, resilient metal that is more expensive than brass. In contrast to brass, stainless steel is made of iron alloyed with chromium and nickel. Since these stainless steel water pipes are made of a special material, there will be no leaks. Furthermore, steel can work at higher temperatures and typically lasts longer than brass. High pressure and temperature situations are best handled using stainless steel valves. Corrosion resistance is another advantage of these materials.

 

Its higher nickel content and molybdenum content make stainless steel 316 a corrosion-resistant valve. Due to the combination of iron, nickel, and molybdenum, the valves are hardened to make them extremely resistant to chlorides and very useful for marine environments.

Overview:

Expenses: It is more expensive to purchase stainless steel than brass. Brass plumbing is an economical option if the material is suitable for your project and budget is an issue. But, stainless steel plumbing fittings  last longer and doesn't require much repairing. 

2.      FDA Certification: Brass valves cannot be used in the food industry unless they are lead-free, which makes them an unsuitable choice. Due to stainless steel’s FDA approval, this material is used in the industry.

3.      Resistance to corrosion: In comparison with plastic, brass has much better corrosion resistance. But, stainless steel remains the best material, especially in coastal environments.

 

Consider these factors should when deciding on a plumbing material for your next project. Always make sure that you conduct in-depth research about your industry, needs, and the materials that you are interested in, before choosing a material for your plumbing needs.