pot metal strength vs brass

Bill D · Aug 27, 2019

I have to replace some lift spring linkage bits on my home windows. The originals were made of cast pot metal. The broke under the constant spring load So I need to make replacements. Would brass be stronger then the pot metal? I could use some tool steel or mild iron but that would rust and become unsightly.
All I can find online in 3/16x3/8 stainless is 304 stainless and I do not want to deal with tapping that.
Bil lD

Hillside Fab · Aug 27, 2019

There is probably some overlap in strength of annealed brass and the better "pot metals", but yes brass is generally stronger. Bronze would be even better.

Aluminum bronze has a little higher tensile strength than mild steel.

g-coder05 · Aug 27, 2019

Aluminum bronze has a little higher tensile strength than mild steel.

If he don't like tapping stainless he really wont like that Aluminum Bronze.

Hillside Fab · Aug 27, 2019

g-coder05 said:
If he don't like tapping stainless he really wont like that Aluminum Bronze.

LOL could be. I havent messed with it a lot, but I didnt find it that hard to work with.

TDegenhart · Aug 27, 2019

I would use 6061 aluminum. The "pot metal" is probably zinc which is not known for long term durability under load. Zinc is cheap, easy to cast and some alloys perform reasonably but not like aluminum. The other reason not to use brass is that if it is contact with aluminum and is wet, the electrical battery action will corrode the aluminum.

Tom

john.k · Aug 28, 2019

This effect is used on the ubiquitous aluminium ute trays......all the fasteners are small steel bolts and nuts,and the protective effect of the aluminium keeps them from rusting.....one of my ally trays is over 40 years old , out in the weather,all the nuts ,bolts and ,screws are still able to easily be removed......

jim rozen · Aug 28, 2019

TDegenhart said:
I would use 6061 aluminum.
Tom

7075! Even much more stonger than brass.

Bill D · Aug 28, 2019

The window itself is vynil so what metal does not matter on that end but this pin goes into a potmetal socket on the spring lifter so I think I will use brass to reduce any galvanic corrosion.
Bill D.

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