5 Benefits of Brass Reducing Bushings

 There are lots of durable and strong materials being used when it comes to the making of pipe fittings. While steel and iron might be the strongest, grass fittings are the most malleable which isn't always a bad thing. This is what makes any brass fittings compatible even when a plumbing system is a bit off.

You can easily shape the fitting without losing any of its other properties such as its high temperature tolerance. Therefore brass fittings are found in all kinds of applications not just plumbing. Because of this brass fittings come in all shapes with one of the most common being a brass reducing bush or bushing.

Why Use Brass Bushings?

Anti-Galling

One thing a brass bush is quite good at is keeping corrosion at bay. Thanks to the combination of copper and zinc, the anti-galling properties of a brass reducing bush are on a level of their own. This level of protection is what makes them so popular even in today's world of composite bushings.

Strength

As mentioned above the strength levels of brass may not be as those of steel and iron but they are at a relatively high level. The same goes for a brass male bush as well as one with a female thread. For a material that is quite malleable, its strength is at a surprising level.

Conductivity

You might think that conductivity has nothing to do with fittings, well, you'll be surprised when you need to use them in areas with high electrical currents. Brass bushings are ideal in this case as they are highly conductive thanks to their low resistivity rating. But even if you won't make use of this it's not a bad idea to have a bushing with low resistivity. 

Cost-Effective

You'd think that having all these advantages will make brass bushings an expensive option but the opposite is the case. In fact, they are one of the most cost-effective options you can go for, no matter if it's for your plumbing system or your car's cooling system. You're better off replacing a brass bush than any other type of bushing.

Friction

Since brass bushings are anti-corrosive they are a good solution when it comes to friction. If you need to use a brass male bush in applications with lots of moving parts then go for those made of brass as they are going to remain protected and ductile no matter what. All you need to do is make sure that, if the bushings are found in a high-friction environment, you put some sort of lubricant, either grease or oil. This will help prolong their lifespan and the lifespan of the surrounding components that come in contact with the bushings.

Applications of Brass Bushings

Water Pump

Most cars nowadays are water-cooled and therefore they have a water pump and such a pump uses a brass bushing for the main shaft. There's also a rubber seal found on the inside of the bushing in order to prevent the coolant from leaking. But the seal itself allows for a little bit of fluid to leak through in order to help lubricate the bushing. This is because the coolant contains some lubricant so it prevents lots of friction from happening between the shaft and bushing.

Slide Bearings

There are machines that do not rely on a shaft that rotates, some have their shafts slide in and out of an assembly. For instance, a home printer uses this type of shaft which feeds the paper back and forth as well as the ink. This is where such a bushing can be used in order to make the shafts that hold the carriage carry the paper or ink.

Propeller Shaft

Since brass doesn't rust, brass-reducing bushings are also used in marine applications that involve the propeller shaft of a ship or boat. You also have some bushings that come made in two parts with the inner component being made of brass since it needs to ride against the shaft. Often times these types of bushings are called brass back composite bushings.

Electric Motors

What all electric motors have in common is that they use a brass bush on either side of their rotating components known as the armature. This is what supports the motor shaft and since it is moving, brass is the best material for the bushings. With such bushings electric motors don't need as much grease and thus last longer than other types of bushings. Also, it's a lot easier to manufacture with most machine tools.

Final Words

There may not be one material to rule them all when it comes to fittings but there is one material that can be quite an excellent choice in different environments. Brass may not be the most exciting type of fitting but it can make a big difference where it matters. Keep in mind that after all brass has limitations too.