metal hardness

[grose]

I work for Coach Handbags.
We are getting consumer returns as some of the hardwares we use (sandcasted copper/zinc blends) is wearing away/abrading after use.
The hardwares are a dogleash attached to a d-ring. A groove is worn into both parts after a period of time and becomes progressively worse.
Hardness tests show the hardware to be soft (Rockwell F scale). 1/4 hardness for brass metals.
How can I eliminate this problem?

 

[tomwalz]

Hard coat after polishing - probably expensive.
Sandcasting ought to give you a huge choice of metals - guessing at color and hardness and because it is readily available I would guess marine brass / naval bronze as a place to start.

I was once a huge hero to a teenage daughter because I bought her one of your purses for Christmas. Thanks

Tom