FasTrack Switch Points - are they White Brass?

Steve, quick side question:

Do you know the general build dates of your switches?     I have about 50 FT switches purchased between 2005 and 2009.  With the exception of two that had bad micro switches, these have been the smoothest and most reliable switches I've ever had.    I've never had a loco or car pick a switch.   Lionel MTH, Atlas, etc.....

I'm just curious of what you see is something in later runs.   All my points sit tight against the rail.   I run them all on aux power at about 14volts, so they snap into position smartly.

I do like the idea of what you're doing, though.  It would be good info for those having issues that you describe.

@EscapeRocks Thanks David.  The switches in question are a mix of "Remote/Command" and "Command Control" purchased in new 2020 and 2021 from 3 different high volume dealers.  Build Date is unknown.  I've had no operational issues with older Manual and Remote Control switches, purchased circa 2010 - 14.

I'm just guessing here.  Are they cast from ... maybe either a Beta or Alpha-beta brass?

They sure don't look like any brass I know of when I put a nick in them.  I'm guessing something cheaper.

According to a couple of sources including wikipedia (yeah I know...) the two types of brass I mentioned (Beta and Alpha-beta) have lower concentrations of copper with higher concentrations of zinc, are often use in casting, and are brighter (more silver colored) than the yellow brass I typically think of when someone says "Brass".

So maybe one of these two types of brass or similar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass

Doing some more non-Wikipedia reading, it looks like these could be what is commonly referred to as White Brass.  Looking at the picture and description in this Link to Belmont Metals, and comparing that to this picture I took,  these points being white brass seems plausible.

On the left is where I filed away the 2 layers of plating (zinc over copper) and into the bare cast metal.  On the right is still fully plated.

Does anyone here have inside knowledge with what type of metal the FasTrack points are cast?

@Dave Olson Would you be able to shed some light on this subject?

I'm wondering if you might be able to share (without necessarily disclosing any proprietary information) which elements make up the cast metal part of FasTrack switch points, not including the plating.

If part of the plating is removed, would surface oxidation on the exposed base metal be likely in the long term?

Thank you,

SteveH

I have no exact knowledge about the answers to the questions you posed, but I will try my best.

1. I have no idea, but you could probably test it.  The traditional non-scientific test for determining metallic composition is to touch the piece to a grinding wheel in a relatively dark area and observe the sparks.  This is an acquired skill among experienced machinists.  You can learn a bit on YouTube if you are interested (How to Identify Metals Using Spark Testing - YouTube, ex.).  My grandfather was a tool and die maker and had uncanny proficiency with this technique.  Everything got touched on the grinder before it was machined.  Brass does not to my knowledge come in numbered alloy grades like steel does.  Certain other alloys of copper do not spark at all and are used for tools in explosive environments.

2. All copper is reactive with the environment over time.  The Statue of Liberty was bright metal in 1886 and took years in a salty environment to achieve its current patina.  I have a cornet with pinhole leaks where saliva has (over decades) eaten through the metal.  Copper plumbing pipes suffer from this same problem and and have their own alloy for this reason.  Maynard Ferguson's trumpet is uncoated brass and exhibits a patina.  Virtually all other brass instruments are plated on the outside.  Lacquer is most common because it is cheap and durable.  Silver plate is also common on brass instruments but tends to wear through, especially when thin.  Source for tools and chemicals commonly used for brass instruments:  https://www.ferreestoolsinc.com/