Brass that's attracted to magnets?

[timeline1968]

A product that we receive from overseas has parts that are solid brass, however those parts are attracted to strong (neodymium) magnets.

My research into brass and its properties is somewhat conflicting. The materials handbooks say that there's nothing in brass that will make it attract to magnets. Other sites, however, say that 90% of brass is recycled, so I can see that it may become contaminated (especially when processed in China). Yet other sites say that "most brass is not magnetic".

Can anyone clarify what's up with these brass parts and why they may be attracted to magnets? We've cut some apart and they're not just plated, they are solid brass.

Thank you.

 

[EdStainless]

You need a full chemistry and a good look at the microstructure. In many Cu based alloys if the Fe level is too high and the alloy is not heat treated correctly there can be Fe rich phases present which are magnetic.
In many alloys this isn't really a problem. If you have critical strength requirements or corrosion issues then it might be important.

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Still trying to help you stop corrosion.
formerly Trent Tube, now Plymouth Tube
eblessman@plymouth.com
or edstainless@earthlink.net

 

[EdDanzer]

Aluminum bronze is slightly magnetic.

Ed Danzer

http://www.danzcoinc.com

http://www.dehyds.com