Why Brass Is the Go-To Metal for Deep Drawn Components
Brass draws deep without cracking, resists corrosion and takes almost any finish. Here is why it remains the first choice for drawn caps, shells and eyelets.
Walk through any garment or leather goods factory and you will find brass everywhere: snap caps, eyelets, rivets, jean button shells and drawstring tips. There are good engineering reasons for that, and they matter most when parts are deep drawn.
1. Ductility: It Draws Without Cracking
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Grades with a higher copper content are particularly ductile, so the metal can be stretched into deep, seamless shapes over several draw stages. Less formable materials need more stages, more annealing, or cannot reach the same depth at all.
2. Corrosion Resistance
Brass does not rust. It forms a protective surface layer and develops a natural patina over time. For garments that are washed, worn outdoors or exposed to sweat, this makes brass a dependable base metal, especially under plated finishes.
3. Nickel-Free Base Alloy
Standard brass contains no nickel, which matters for products that touch the skin. Many finishes use a nickel layer, but nickel-free plating options are available when you need them. Read more in our nickel-free snap buttons guide.
4. It Takes Finishes Beautifully
The smooth surface of drawn brass accepts electroplating evenly: bright nickel, black nickel, antique brass, gold, gunmetal and more. It can also be lacquered, painted or PVD coated. That flexibility is why brands can match hardware to a collection's colour palette.
5. Weight and Feel
Brass hardware has a reassuring weight that customers associate with quality. That is one reason premium denim, outerwear and leather goods still use solid brass press studs and rivets.
How Brass Compares with Other Materials
| Material | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | Excellent drawability, corrosion resistant, nickel-free base, premium finish | Higher material cost than steel |
| Stainless steel | Very corrosion resistant, strong, nickel finish not needed | Harder to draw deep; higher tooling wear |
| Iron / mild steel | Low cost, strong | Rusts unless plated; heavier |
| Zinc alloy (Zamak) | Ideal for die-cast, detailed 3D shapes | Cast, not drawn; different applications |
We work with all of these at Ata Buttons. We use stainless steel where marine or medical-grade resistance is needed, iron for economical footwear eyelets and Zamak for cast jean buttons. For seamless drawn caps, shells and eyelets, brass remains the first choice.
Choosing a Brass Supplier
Look for a supplier that controls drawing, tooling and plating in-house. Problems at one stage, such as a slightly wrong radius or a variable plating bath, show up in the finished part. Ata Buttons runs every step in its own Istanbul factory and supplies UK customers directly. See how UK ordering works, or send us your drawing.
