What exactly is a brass shim?
A shim is a thin, wedge-shaped piece of metal that is used to fill gaps between objects. Shims are commonly used to adjust for a better fit, provide support, or create a level surface. Shims made of brass and brass alloys are also used as spacers to fill gaps between wear-prone parts. Every kind of brass shim sheet has excellent resistance to water corrosion and is corrosion resistant in environments containing oil, fuel, gasoline, kerosene, and alcohol. Brass is extremely popular in the appliance and electric industries due to its excellent electrical conductivity. Brass & Brass Alloys shims range in thickness from 0.05 mm to 3 mm in thickness. There are numerous Brass shim sheet sizes that are available to meet your needs.
How to choose which brass shim would work for you?
When deciding what type of shim you’ll need for your project, there are three things to consider: the shape, thickness, and material type. Being a brass shim manufacturer ourselves we at Kalpataru Piping Solutions can help you figure out all three. The thickness of the shim will usually be determined by the size of the space the shim will fill, while the shape will be determined by the function of the shim and the size of the pieces it will be against. The type of material you’ll need is determined by the material used for nearby pieces, the level of durability required, and the environment in which the shim will be used.
What are the benefits of using a brass shim?
They can be highly malleable
Shims are commonly used across a wide range of industries, the machinery industry, in particular, is very well versed with the uses of a brass shim. Filling gaps or creating a level surface, creating more accurate alignment, or wear compensation to help reduce the frequency of replacement for more expensive pieces are all common uses of this material.
The shim will usually need to be made to a specific size and thickness in order to act as a space filler or to improve alignment. Brass shim sheets are made of soft metal and have a low melting point that works well in this application. It’s a lot more malleable than bronze and zinc, and it’s also a lot easier to work with.
They cause low friction
Brass shim sheets have a low friction rate because it is a softer metal. This makes it an excellent choice for areas where sparking is a concern, such as around explosive gases. It’s also a fantastic heat and electricity conductor. Despite its softness, it is a stronger and harder metal than copper. The strength of the metal, on the other hand, is determined by the copper and zinc content of the brass.
They are corrosion resistant
You may have frequently noticed brass being used for piping and tubing in fact it is also used in marine environments. This is due to its high corrosion resistance. Brass is resistant to corrosion not only in water, but also in environments containing fuel, oil, kerosene, gasoline, or alcohol. This metal also has a high tarnishing resistance.
They are good for the environment and are recyclable
Did you know that about 90% of the brass in existence has been recycled? The fact that brass is not ferromagnetic is one of the characteristics that make it a highly recyclable metal. Because of the lack of magnetism, brass can usually be isolated from other metals by removing the magnetic metals using magnets.
They possess antimicrobial properties
Brass, like a lot of copper alloys, has antimicrobial properties. Brass contains copper, which helps to kill bacteria and fungi. The speed at which bacteria are killed is determined by the form of bacteria and the medium in which they are found. Brass shim sheets are also an excellent option for shims in environments where sterilization is critical, such as the food industry or the medical field.
