With over five decades of experience, Stephens Gaskets is one of the country’s leading brass shim suppliers. Having been manufacturing shims, washers, and gaskets for many years, our team have become highly skilled and knowledgeable in the world of precision machined components. By reading the benefits of brass shims you can start to develop an understanding of the material. In addition, decide if the material right for your application.
The Benefits Of Brass Shims
Low Friction
Brass is considered a softer metal, and as a result, has a relatively low friction rate. This means that a brass shim is a good choice for environments that need to avoid sparking – such as applications which will be using explosive gas. Although it is soft, brass is still stronger than copper, and is a great conductor of heat and electricity.
Corrosion Resistant Shims
Brass shims are ideal for piping, tubing, and marine applications due to the fact they have a high resistance to corrosion. However, not only does brass demonstrate corrosion resistance after water exposure, it also resists corrosion in other environments. For instance, environments with fuel, oil, gasoline, alcohol, and kerosene present. Brass is also very hard to tarnish, so it will almost always have a clean finish.
High Malleability
Shims are often used in pieces of machinery to fill gaps to create tighter fitting alignments. They are also used as load bearers for wear compensation or for creating a level surface. With this in mind, shims regularly need to be made to exacting specifications to suit the space they are going to be fitted into. Brass is an ideal shim material as it has a lower melting point and is therefore more malleable than other materials such as bronze and zinc.
Recyclable
Brass is highly recyclable and one of the main reasons is because it is not magnetic. Because of this, brass can often be separated from other metals easily. Around 90% of brass has already been recycled. This means for eco-conscious businesses or individuals, brass shims are a great choice.
Antimicrobial
Brass has antimicrobial properties because the copper within brass helps to destroy certain bacteria and pathogens. With this type of property, a brass shim is an excellent choice if you are looking for shims that need to be sterile – such as in the food industry or in medical settings.
Brass Shim Suppliers
When it comes to choosing the right shim, there are usually three major factors to consider. These are: the shape, thickness, and shim material. Here at Stephens Gaskets, as experts in shims, we can talk you through all of the most appropriate options for your project, to ensure you invest in a solution that ticks all of the right boxes.
We have a wide range of shim material to choose from and we’re particularly proud to be leading brass shim suppliers; here are five reasons why brass could be the perfect choice for your application.
FAQs
What makes brass a good choice for shims?
Brass is a soft, malleable metal with excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of environments, including those exposed to moisture, chemicals, and fuel. Its low friction and high conductivity also make it ideal for applications where sparking needs to be avoided.
Can brass shims withstand harsh environments?
Yes, brass shims are highly corrosion-resistant, making them suitable for harsh environments like marine applications, as well as those exposed to fuel, oil, and other chemicals. Brass also resists tarnishing, maintaining its clean finish in challenging conditions.
Why is brass a good material for precise machining?
Brass is highly malleable, which means it can be shaped easily to fit exact specifications. Its lower melting point compared to other metals makes it ideal for producing custom shims with tight tolerances, ensuring a perfect fit for machinery and other applications.
Are brass shims environmentally friendly?
Yes, brass is highly recyclable, with around 90% of brass already recycled. Its non-magnetic properties make it easy to separate from other metals during the recycling process, making brass shims an excellent eco-friendly choice.
Is brass a hygienic material for shims?
Brass has natural antimicrobial properties due to the copper content, which helps to destroy bacteria and pathogens. This makes brass shims ideal for industries where sterility is important, such as in food processing or medical applications.
Can I order brass shims in custom sizes?
Absolutely! At Stephens Gaskets, we offer brass shims in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses. We can custom-manufacture shims to meet your exact specifications, ensuring they fit perfectly into your project or machinery.
Contact Us Today
Looking for brass shim suppliers? We are proud to have invested heavily in our manufacturing facilities over the years. This means we can provide solutions and meet the requirements of a wide range of industries and applications. Would you like to find out more about our brass shim stock, then please head to our website today. Or, you can call 0121 544 5808 to speak to a member of our helpful and knowledgeable team.
If you have found this blog helpful, then you may wish to read our previous blog on Laser Cut Shims