Brass is an alloy of which of the following pairs of metals ?

Brass is a metallic alloy primarily composed of copper and zinc [1][t2]. It is distinguished from bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin [1][c5]. The chemical composition of brass typically involves varying proportions of zinc, often ranging from 5% to 45%, which influences the metal's hardness, color, and workability [t4][t6]. For instance, alpha alloys contain less than 37% zinc and are highly ductile, while alpha/beta alloys with higher zinc content are harder and stronger [t6]. Brass is widely utilized in industrial applications, musical instruments, and plumbing due to its corrosion resistance and excellent acoustic properties [t5][t8]. While other elements like lead or tin may be added in trace amounts to create specialized varieties like naval brass, the fundamental defining components remain copper and zinc [t2][t8].

Sources

1. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: Nature of Matter: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures > A step further > p. 118