What is zinc added to copper used to produce?

Zinc is added to copper to produce brass, which is an alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. The inclusion of zinc enhances certain properties of copper, such as its strength, corrosion resistance, and malleability, making brass an ideal material for various applications, including plumbing fittings, musical instruments, and decorative items.

Brass typically contains between 5% to 45% zinc, and the specific properties of the brass can be tailored by adjusting the zinc content, as well as by adding other elements. This is why brass is versatile and widely used in many industries.

Other options such as copper pipe and copper wire are made primarily from pure copper without the addition of zinc. Aluminum, on the other hand, is a completely different metal and does not contain copper or zinc, thus it does not pertain to the alloying process of copper and zinc.