The brasses are alloys principally of copper and zinc with a high percentage of copper (more than 80%).
They are metallic alloys of a bright gold-like color and the various shades depend of their composition; they have a very high thermal and electrical conductivity; like copper, brass is highly corrosion resistant but not oxidation resistant because of self-forming patinas on its surface.
At first this layer is of a brown-black shade (copper oxide) then it becomes green or verdigris (copper salts exposed to humidity and to sulphur-based polluting agents); The brasses are not magnetic but anyway easy to work, very ductile and malleable.
The imitation gold leaves got by hammering , are about 0,3 µ thick. They are usually applied by means of water-based glues (water based mission) or fat glues (fat mission) on accurately prepared surfaces.
They are sensitive to UV rays and as mentioned above, to humidity and temperature in the presence of polluting agents; we recommend to store them closed in their original package, away from direct sunlight at room temperature (recommended 18-23 C°).