Brass is a common item found in both home and industrial applications. The most common types of brasses are yellow and red brass, however, there are many different alloys of brasses.

Yellow brass is included in faucets, plumbing fixtures (sheet or fabricated pieces, and valves and turnings from industrial machining. The approximate chemistry of yellow brass is 60-65% copper and 30% zinc. Red brass is included in plumbing fixtures, valves, gears, and turnings.

The approximate chemistry of red brass is 85% copper, 5% zinc, 5% lead and 5% tin. Other types of brasses include hard brass which is most commonly used as liner or gears, spent brass shells, plumbing fixtures, sheets or clips, and valves.