Detailed close up view of a brass molecular model of testosterone

 

 

Molecular models made in brass, aluminium and other metals

Sometimes, you want something special, or you may simply need your molecular models to be made out of materials that will stand the test of time. If you need your molecular models made from something that is going to last for a couple of hundred years, if not longer, then we can help you. The beauty of metal models is not simply in the appearance - when you lift a metal crystal structure, particularly when mounted on a granite base, you feel the weight and the quality of what you are holding, and you know that it was worth paying for.

 

Brass molecular models

Brass is one of the easiest metals to work with and, whilst relatively easy to machine, it is strong, wear-resistant, relatively hard, corrosion resistant, but with a lovely colour that can develop a nice patina over time. Like all metals, it is electrically conducting - a property that was put to use by one customer, an artist who wanted a pair of models between which he could run an electrical discharge!

Our smaller brass models are made in a similar manner to our Beevers models, with the brass rods held in place by simple friction - and just so that you understand, we're talking about a friction fit that requires serious force to overcome - these models are not going to fall apart. Larger models are made with balls that are drilled, fitted with bonds, and the bonds are then soldered into place. There is effectively no size limit on these models, so long as your budget can take the strain.

One issue to be aware of with brass balls is that the colour can vary somewhat. Some suppliers stock balls that are paler than others, and even the same supplier can issue balls of different colours at different times. If you are exacting in the colour of the brass in your model, particularly if you need the brass to match something that you already have, please let us know and we'll do our best to source appropriate balls.

Brass copper and stainless steel molecular model on a granite base

Different shades of brass, patination, copper plating can all be used to create beautiful molecular models that still differntiate between different atom types. The model above was made with different sizes and shades of brass ball, along with black and silver patination for the carbon and hydrogen atoms. Mounted on a granite base, it is a stunningly beautiful model,

 

Molecular models made in other metals

Brass is one of the better metals for us to work with as it is relatively cheap and machinable, but we have also made models in aluminium, copper, bronze, anodised titanium, silver, and other metals, but we are not restricted to these materials.

An obvious extension of a model made with a single metal is one made with different metals, each with distinct colours - brass, copper and aluminium are so obviously different, whilst being relatively cheap and machinable, that they are particularly useful for such models. Nor do the balls have to be the same size - we can mix balls of different materials and sizes to get particularly attractive models, as shown in the model of GaN below, made with 7mm brass balls and 10mm aluminium balls.

 

Crystal structure model of GaN made with brass and aluminium balls on a granite base

Model of the GaN structure, made with brass and aluminium balls, and green anodised aluminium rods, on a granite base

 

Anodising metals for colour in molecular models

Aluminium can be colour anodised to give balls of different colours - indeed, almost any colour - and titanium balls can be anodised to a wide range of colours (although Ti is not surprisingly hard to machine). Using colour anodised aluminium rods, we can make the bonds any colour you want, too - if you look carefully at the model of GaN above, you will notice that the aluminium bonds have been colour anodised to a green colour.

 

Models made in other metals

We can make molecular models or crystal structure models in almost any other metal you would like (but please don't bother asking for models made with toxic, radioactive or reactive metals such as beryllium, potassium or uranium).

The issue, though, tends to be the availability of balls in less common metals. As with anything in life, almost anything can be purchased if you have the funds, and there are ball manufacturers out there who are are prepared to make balls from almost any material. But, that comes at a price - sometimes a very significant one - so you may need deep pockets. That said, we are open to any reasonable request, so don't hesitate to contact us about that model of rhodocene model, made with rhodium balls, that you always wanted. Contact us for more details and to discuss your requirements.

 

 

A brass molecular model of estradiol    A brass molecular model of testosterone

 

 

 

 

A molecular model of testosterone made in brass on a slate stone base

 

Detail of a brass molecular model