Material Compatibility Reference

Bronze/Brass — Fluid Compatibility

Which industrial fluids Bronze/Brass valves can handle — rated across 16 process media with engineering notes. The compatibility reference for specifying Bronze/Brass body and trim.

What fluids is Bronze/Brass compatible with?

Bronze/Brass is rated across 16 industrial fluids in our compatibility data. It performs well in Compressed Air, Oxygen (O₂ - Industrial and Medical Grade), Argon (Ar), Ethanol / Industrial Alcohol (C₂H₅OH), Glycerine / Glycerol (C₃H₈O₃), Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO / Bunker C / Fuel Oil No. 6). It is not recommended for Demineralised Water (DM Water / Deionised Water), Ammonia (NH₃), Phenol (C₆H₅OH - Carbolic Acid), Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl - Bleach), Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄). Full ratings and notes below — always confirm against concentration, temperature and velocity.

Material grades & metallurgy

ASTM B62 / C83600 Gunmetal / Naval BrassNaval Brass / Gunmetal (Bronze)

Excellent2 fluids

Compressed AirTraditional material for compressed air fittings and small-bore valves.

Oxygen (O₂ - Industrial and Medical Grade)Traditional oxygen-compatible material - no iron oxide combustion risk.

Good8 fluids

Argon (Ar)Acceptable for instrument and utility argon.

Ethanol / Industrial Alcohol (C₂H₅OH)Acceptable for utility ethanol service.

Glycerine / Glycerol (C₃H₈O₃)Traditional material for glycerine utility valves.

Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO / Bunker C / Fuel Oil No. 6)Common for marine HFO service valves.

Hot Water (District Heating / Process Hot Water)For small-bore HVAC and domestic building services.

Liquid Nitrogen (LN₂)Copper alloys retain ductility at cryogenic temperatures - acceptable for small-bore service.

Nitrogen (N₂)Acceptable for instrument and utility nitrogen at moderate pressures.

SeawaterGood for seawater at lower velocities. Not for high velocity or hot seawater.

Fair1 fluids

LPG - Liquefied Petroleum GasAcceptable for low-pressure domestic fittings. Not for industrial HP service.

Poor1 fluids

Demineralised Water (DM Water / Deionised Water)Zinc dezincification and copper leaching - avoid for DM water where purity matters.

Not Recommended4 fluids

Ammonia (NH₃)SCC and corrosion - strictly prohibited in ammonia service.

Phenol (C₆H₅OH - Carbolic Acid)Copper alloys attacked by phenol at elevated temperature.

Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl - Bleach)Copper is oxidised by hypochlorite - releases Cu ions contaminating treated water.

Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄)Severely attacked. Never use copper alloys.

Reviewed by Materials Engineering, Vajra Industrial SolutionsDiscipline: Valve Metallurgy & Materials SelectionLast reviewed: 20 June 2026

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