Hobbies And Interests
Methanol
Methanol is an alternative fuel that, like ethanol, is actually a derivative of alcohol. CH3OH in chemical terms, methanol comes from methane gas, and it can be classified as a weak acid. Because it is cheap to make and occurs naturally in many instances), many energy experts feel methanol could become important in weaning the industrialized world off of fossil fuels.
Methanol corrodes brass
Methanol has the power to corrode metals. Corrosion occurs whenever a metal is placed in an environment where it isn't chemically stable, and the presence of methanol certainly destabilizes brass. Bronze is a metallic alloy comprised of copper, zinc and perhaps traces of other metals as well. Now, while some metals can develop what's called a "passive film" all around them -- a thin layer which serves as a kind of shield against corrosive environmental factors -- brass is not one of these metals. And so methanol will discolor, weaken, and otherwise eat away at brass at a steady rate unless protective measures are taken.
Plating as protection
A common way to protect brass from the corrosive effects of methanol is to employ nickel plating. Nickel plating---which had been around since the 1840's---is the process of using an electrical current, or else some other mechanical process, to attach a thin layer of nickel over a metal object, such as a brass fixture on an automobile, to keep that object smooth and shiny. Chrome plating is a similar process involving, obviously, chrome instead of nickel. The main drawback to chrome plating is that as the chrome wears out it tends to flake and peel off.
Conclusion
It may well be that methanol will become a main source of fuel all over the world someday soon. Of course, this doesn't mean we have to give up on brass. Maybe someday a metallic alloy that looks and feels like brass will be developed, one that methanol can't corrode. But until that day, nickel and chrome plating probably represent the best ways to ward off methanol-related brass corrosion.