Brass of the usual compositions is rolled cold into sheets or other forms because the metal will not roll hot. However, if the brass contains less than about 62% of copper it may be rolled hot.

In cold rolling of brass, it takes but a few passes through the rolls to make the metal very brittle. To relieve this brittleness, frequent annealings are necessary. Each annealing must be followed by pickling in weak acid and thorough washing to prepare the sheet for further rolling.

Annealing is done in muffle furnaces at about 700° F., and the metal is cooled by exposure to air, or its cooling may be hastened by sprays of water, if the alloy is such as not to be injured thereby.

In the manufacture of high-grade sheet brass, the plate is subjected to a process called "scalping," after about the second annealing. This process is in lieu of pickling which would otherwise follow this annealing. It consists of placing the sheet on a machine which scrapes the surfaces bright and clean by means of a rapidly oscillating scraper. Successive rollings, annealings and picklings are then given the sheet until it is reduced to the required thickness.

If the sheet is to be finished as soft brass, it must be annealed after the last rolling, and the dull surface due to this annealing is removed by dipping in weak acid, rinsing, and polishing with bran.

Brass may be left with different degrees of hardness and springiness by more or less rolling after the last annealing and not annealing again. New hard brass always has a shiny surface.