Brass or bronze??

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srp

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As part of the engine installation I had to remove the 3/4" cockpit drain ball valves. Now that I've got them off, I can't tell whether they're brass or bronze. As a comparison, the 1/2" one with the green handle is bronze, bought from ASAP recently.
Markings on the suspect 3/4" one with red handle:
MS58 3/4 PN20
Markings on the 1/2" ASAP bronze one:
DN15 PN25
Can anyone tell me if the red handled one is bronze or whether I should chuck it?
ballvalve.jpg
 
MS58 is indeed brass as are most of this type of fitting.This material has a small lead content which alters machining ability and is not as brittle. The finish is nickel plating.The other fitting is brass as well.
 
FWIW I've had a nickel plated ball valve like this on my galley drain ever since I bought my boat, 11 years. It may well be original, in which case it is 21 years old. Still perfectly OK so don't throw it out. I'll have it if you are determined - mine might fail in 10 years or so.
 
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The other fitting is brass as well.

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My mistake - yes, you're right, it's actually DZR brass. Is this as good as bronze? Or shoulld I just buy some stainless ones?
 
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My mistake - yes, you're right, it's actually DZR brass. Is this as good as bronze? Or shoulld I just buy some stainless ones?

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DZR is a low zinc content brass so doesn't suffer to the same extent the dezincification problems of ordinary brass valves which turns the metal pink and brittle. They are the best alternative to fitting expensive maintainable valves like Blakes.

Chuck the others in a bin........... to say such an important fitting is ok because it's lasted "x" amount of years and hasn't failed yet isn't yer best kind of preventative maintenance /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

One of the first jobs I did was to replace the same kind of valves and the fact that they are plated prevents you from telling if they're suspect without removing them or until they disintegrate when you try to operate them............ not the best time to find out!!
 
'to say such an important fitting is ok because it's lasted "x" amount of years and hasn't failed yet isn't yer best kind of preventative maintenance '

So what other parameter are we to use? Our experience is the best possible guideline to improving products without incurring excessive expense. Otherwise we would make all fittings from gold or platinum to be sure they never corrode! Brass fittings, particularly DZR ones, will not last for ever but in the vast majority of cases they will give at least 10 years of service, requiring a brief annual inspection to ensure that they remain fit for further use.
 
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