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What material offers the greatest key durability?

  1. Brass

  2. Steel

  3. Nickel Silver

  4. Plastic

The correct answer is: Nickel Silver

Nickel silver is a material known for its excellent durability and resistance to wear, making it a common choice for key manufacturing. This alloy, which typically contains nickel, copper, and zinc, strikes a balance between hardness and corrosion resistance, giving it superior longevity compared to other common materials used for keys. Brass, while widely used for its good machining properties and resistance to corrosion, tends to be softer than nickel silver. This softness can lead to wear over time, especially in high-use applications. Steel, on the other hand, is very strong and resistant to bending and breaking but can be prone to corrosion without proper treatments. Plastic, while lightweight and resistant to corrosion, does not compare in terms of durability and strength needed for a functional key. Nickel silver's unique combination of properties makes it more resilient in demanding situations, ensuring that it maintains its shape and function over extended periods, thus offering the greatest key durability among the materials listed.