Pink Brass??

[Twmaster]

I know brass contains zinc and copper in varying percentages depending on who made it, however I've never seen a pink cartridge case.

I just cleaned these in a rock tumbler with SS media. I used Joy dish soap and a pinch of Lemi-shine.

All the other brass came out looking normal (and good!)

This one Winchester 40S&W came out pink. Inside and out. Uniformly the same color....

I've heard of pink guns for the ladies but this is crazy!

 

[rcmodel]

Pink generally means the zinc is leeched out of the 70% brass/ 30% zinc cartridge brass and the case is toast.

Usually from laying outside in the elements too long and galvanic corrosion took the zinc out of the alloy.

rc

 

[Twmaster]

That's what I thought at first. This came from a very tidy indoor range.

I'm going to chuck the case just on principle. I just thought it was kinda goofy and worth some forum space.

 

[1SOW]

70% brass/ 30% zinc

Actually copper + zinc = brass.

I've accidentally removed too much zinc by leaving cases in an acetic acid (white vinegar) wash solution too long. They will come out with pink splotches. Your case may have been "overcleaned" by the previous owner.

 

[rcmodel]

Actually copper + zinc = brass.

Actually, you are 100% right.

I had a senior moment while typing that I think!!

rc

 

[longdayjake]

What makes the case unusable? Just too soft?

 

[1SOW]

Brass is harder/stronger than copper. The zinc is what combines with copper to make brass. Less Zinc = less strength. No zinc = copper

 

[LiveLife]

1SOW beat me to it and posted while I typed.

I believe once the zinc is leached out, it makes the brass weaker and may lead to case rupture.

I would toss that pink case in the recycle bin.

 

[FROGO207]

I would take a magnet to it. I had some that came out like that and they were steel casings that were brass washed. Also if they are brass they will split first thing if fired again so are unsafe. They might even split when opening up the case necks for the bullet. Yeah I tried using some already in the past.:banghead: