Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Metal accessories for clothing are most often made from four materials: brass, zinc alloy, steel and aluminium. Brass does not rust and is suitable for items that are washed often. Zinc alloy allows complex cast shapes with an embossed logo. Steel is the strongest and cheapest for solid functional parts, but without a good finish it can rust. Aluminium is the lightest option and is used where weight matters.
Why the material of metal accessories matters
Two accessories with the same finish can look identical on the day of delivery and completely different after a season of wear. The base metal determines strength, weight, behaviour in the wash and what happens when the finish wears off at the edges. That is why, when specifying metal accessories, it is good practice to state not only the finish but also the material.
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is soft, easy to stamp and does not rust. This makes it the standard choice for rivets, eyelets, snap buttons and jeans buttons – parts that are washed many times. When the finish wears, a golden-yellow metal is revealed beneath it, which darkens naturally over time without staining the fabric.
- Pros: does not rust, good for washing, ages beautifully, accepts all electroplated finishes.
- Cons: more expensive than steel, softer under heavy load.
Zinc alloy
Zinc alloy combines zinc with aluminium, magnesium and copper, which is pressure die cast. The fluidity of the alloy allows parts with complex shapes, crisp relief and a three-dimensional logo. That is why buckles, metal logo plates, zip pullers, decorative rings and cord ends are made from zinc alloy.
- Pros: complex shapes, detailed logo, weight that is perceived as quality.
- Cons: more brittle than steel in a thin cross-section; requires a mould for each model; if the finish is damaged, the surface can darken and oxidise.
Steel
Carbon steel is strong and economical, so it is used for functional parts under heavy load – backpack rings, adjusters, springs in cord stoppers and snap hooks, parts of trouser hooks and bars. Its weak point is corrosion: if the finish is damaged, the steel rusts and can leave a brown stain on the fabric. Stainless steel solves this problem, but it is more expensive and harder to work.
- Pros: high strength, low price, suitable for springs.
- Cons: rusts if the finish is damaged (carbon steel), greater weight.
Aluminium
Aluminium is about three times lighter than steel and brass. It does not rust, and anodising allows it to be coloured in a wide range of shades. It is used for eyelets, rings and buckles in outdoor and sportswear, backpacks and accessories where every gram counts.
- Pros: light, rustproof, colour anodising.
- Cons: softer, scratches, more limited relief.
Comparison table
| Material | Rust | Weight | Complex shape | Typical accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | No | Medium | Stamping | Rivets, eyelets, jeans buttons |
| Zinc alloy | Does not rust, but can oxidise | Medium to heavy | Excellent (casting) | Buckles, logo plates, zip pullers |
| Carbon steel | Yes, without a finish | Heavy | Limited | Rings, adjusters, springs |
| Stainless steel | No | Heavy | Limited | Snap hooks, functional parts |
| Aluminium | No | Light | Medium | Eyelets, rings for sports products |
How to choose the material for a specific accessory
- Frequent washing and contact with water – brass, stainless steel or aluminium.
- Complex shape and embossed logo – pressure die-cast zinc alloy.
- Heavy mechanical load – steel with a quality finish.
- Low weight – aluminium or plastic.
- Vintage look for denim – brass with an antique finish that wears beautifully.
Material by type of product
- Jeans and denim: brass rivets and buttons that withstand stone and enzyme washing and age together with the fabric.
- Workwear: brass or stainless steel, because the garments are washed industrially and at higher temperatures.
- Women’s handbags: zinc alloy for decorative buckles and logo plates, steel for load-bearing rings and snap hooks.
- Outdoor and sportswear: aluminium and plastic, to save weight and avoid corrosion from rain and sweat.
- Coats and blazers: zinc alloy or brass for decorative buckles, which are rarely washed but must look luxurious.
- Children’s clothing: nickel-free brass or plastic, light accessories without sharp edges.
How to recognise the material
Without laboratory analysis, the easiest indicators are weight and a magnet. Steel is attracted by a magnet, whereas brass, zinc alloy and aluminium are not (except for some grades of stainless steel, which are also non-magnetic). Aluminium is noticeably light. When scratched, brass shows a yellow colour beneath the finish, and zinc alloy a grey one. These checks are useful for incoming inspection of samples, but for contractual requirements rely on the manufacturer’s specification.
Material and finish work together
The finish gives the colour, but the material determines durability. A gold finish on brass and on steel look the same at first, but with wear the latter can rust. If the item will be washed often, combine a durable base metal with a suitable finish and, if necessary, lacquer. You will find more about finishes and their care in the metal accessories category, and specific models among the metal buckles and eyelets.
Metal accessories from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear, bags and leather goods, with over 30 years of experience and more than 10,000 articles. All our metal accessories are nickel free. We can recommend a suitable material for your product, make metal accessories with your logo and prepare samples for testing. Send an inquiry with the type of accessory, its purpose and the quantity via the contact form.
