Plumbers and renovators often end up with buckets of old taps, valves and fittings. Most of it is brass, but not all brass is the same. Knowing the difference between yellow brass and red brass helps you sort it before pickup.
What is brass?
Brass is an alloy made mostly of copper and zinc. Different mixes give different colours and properties. In scrap terms, the two most common groups are yellow brass and red brass.
Yellow brass
Yellow brass has a bright, gold-like colour when cleaned. It is common in many taps, decorative fittings, door hardware and some plumbing parts. It has less copper than red brass.
Red brass
Red brass, sometimes called gunmetal, has a darker, slightly reddish or pinkish tone. It is often used in heavier valves, water meters and some older plumbing fittings. It contains more copper, which is why recyclers usually grade it separately from yellow brass.
Simple ways to tell them apart
- File or scratch a small clean spot. Yellow brass looks gold, red brass looks more pink or copper-toned.
- Check with a magnet. Brass is not magnetic. If a magnet sticks, there is steel attached or inside.
- Look at weight and use. Heavy valves and meters are more often red brass.
If you are not sure, keep the doubtful pieces in their own pile. It is better than mixing everything together.
What to remove first
- Steel handles, screws and springs.
- Plastic and rubber washers or handles.
- Lengths of copper pipe still attached. Copper and brass are graded separately.
For sorting the copper pipe itself, see our copper scrap grading guide.
Selling brass scrap
Oz Scrap Recycling buys brass fittings and other non-ferrous scrap with mobile pickup across Sydney, NSW and the ACT. Send a photo and your suburb for a quote. Payment is by bank transfer (EFT), and photo ID is needed. See our brass scrap page for more.