🔍 Key Concepts

• Fuel system safety requirements for materials in contact with fuel oil • Differences in sparking and corrosion tendencies between copper and brass • USCG/ABS guidance on non-sparking, corrosion‑resistant materials for fuel strainers

💭 Think About

• Think about what properties you want in a material that will hold a mesh or basket through which fuel oil passes under pressure and vibration. • Consider whether pure copper and brass behave the same way when exposed to fuel oil, heat, and possible mechanical impact. • Ask yourself: is there any known restriction on using copper in fuel oil service, or is brass generally preferred/allowed for fittings and strainers?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check which material is more commonly used in fuel fittings and strainers on actual vessels you’ve seen or studied. • Verify which material is less likely to produce sparks or suffer from dezincification or other corrosion problems in hydrocarbon service. • Consider if regulations or standard practice discourage using one of these metals in fuel oil piping or strainers.