Brass or Stainless Steel?

George1

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What is the most durable material - brass or stainless steel. The light will be for pocket/keyring carry in a single mode AA light. I want something that will last a long time and not require much upkeep. I'm not too concerned about thermal efficiency as the light will not be used for long periods at a time. Any feedback will be appreciated.
 

qwertyydude

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Brass is not too good. Yes brass is harder than aluminum but it can't be anodized so it will probably wear faster than a good anodized aluminum. Plus it needs to be lacquered, once the lacquer wears off it will tarnish and turn ugly. Stainless is much harder and more durable and takes and keeps a polish well. Definitely go with stainless.
 

bluepilgrim

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Stainless will last longer -- but could be heavier (is heavier than aluminum), which is not good for a pocket light. Either one should last long enough for the use....how long do your brass keys last? I'd go for brass just because I prefer the way it looks --- personal preference.
 
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qwertyydude

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Brass is heavier than stainless, 8.4 g/cm3 for brass 7.85 g/cm3 for stainless. Plus to get the same strength you'd have to use more brass making an even heavier light.
 

Norm

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Brass is not too good. Yes brass is harder than aluminum but it can't be anodized so it will probably wear faster than a good anodized aluminum. Plus it needs to be lacquered, once the lacquer wears off it will tarnish and turn ugly. Stainless is much harder and more durable and takes and keeps a polish well. Definitely go with stainless.
Brass maintains a pretty good polish when pocket carried, the last thing I'd do to a brass light is to put lacquer on it, even kept in a draw brass dulls down but still isn't ugly. Having said all that my preference is for small ss lights, brass for smooth threads SS for maintenance free appearance.

Check out a Peak LED Solutions Pacific in either metal order it with a AA body.
Norm
 

Dances with Flashlight

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Brass maintains a pretty good polish when pocket carried, the last thing I'd do to a brass light is to put lacquer on it, even kept in a draw brass dulls down but still isn't ugly. Having said all that my preference is for small ss lights, brass for smooth threads SS for maintenance free appearance.

Check out a Peak LED Solutions Pacific in either metal order it with a AA body.
Norm

Exactly! But you just can't beat polished brass for its beauty. Even after a patina has developed, brass IMHO still looks better than any other metal especially if the light is attractively designed and finely machined as are the Peaks.
 

Flying Turtle

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The threads in my old brass Peak seem to stay cleaner than aluminum twisties. None of that typical oxidizing. I'd be more concerned about the weight of either. Even in aluminum the light's going to be a heavy-weight in the pocket or on a keychain, at least to me.

Geoff
 

Energie

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I like brass and stainless steel too.

Some homemade lights
(used and not polished :)):
brass2.jpg
 

leukos

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Very nice lights, Energie!


As for the OP's question, SS is preferable if your light is going in the pocket with keys, etc. I probably would not carry an SS light larger than AA. Anything bigger I prefer aluminum because of the weight.
 

tx101

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I have been carrying a Maratac SS light on my keychain
for the pass couple of months, not a single scratch so far :thumbsup:
 

gorn

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I've had a Peak brass 3 LED light in my pocket for years. It still looks nice and works every time I twist the head. There is no need to put a protective coating on a brass light.
 

bluepilgrim

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I looked it up -- steel is less dense than brass, but titanium has them both beat -- about 1/2 the density, but still way heavier than aluminum.

I hear rumors that there are some nice titanium lights for sale... :whistle:
 

defloyd77

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Brass is better than SS for heatsinking, but not as good as aluminum.

This is actually a misconception. Though it is true that aluminum is pound for pound better than brass, brass has more mass and when comparing 2 flashlights with the same volume, the brass will actually be better.


Wow those are beautiful! Especially the middle 2. They look like something C-3PO would EDC.
 

Monocrom

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If durability is what matters most to you, then go with stainless steel.
 

wykeite

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Exactly! But you just can't beat polished brass for its beauty. Even after a patina has developed, brass IMHO still looks better than any other metal especially if the light is attractively designed and finely machined as are the Peaks.

I think it can be beaten, gunmetal or bronze is beautiful. Take out the zinc and replace it with tin. Brass can't beat that.
 
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