Can Rusty Pins Still Be Used?

Charger pins with bluish-green spots or headphone plugs with grayish-black layers – we call this "rusting," but it’s different for brass pins.

Most daily pins are brass (copper-zinc alloy). Their "rust" is basic copper carbonate, a dense bluish-green film formed when copper meets moisture, CO₂, and oxygen. Unlike iron rust (which eats away metal), this film often protects the brass underneath.

But it has risks: If covering conductive parts, it may boost contact resistance, causing overheating or poor connections.

How to tell if they’re usable?

1. Appearance: A thin, wipeable bluish-green layer with no deformation – okay to use.

2. Function: Stable charging or clear signals mean it’s fine.

3. Dangers: Severe deformation, peeling "rust," or overheating – replace immediately.

Maintenance tips:

• Unplug unused pins; avoid humid spots.

• Wipe light "rust" with an eraser (not water).

• Cover long-unused pins.

Minor brass oxidation is often harmless. Check before discarding!

Ø Got rusty pins? How did you handle them? Contact us to provide you with free and professional solutions.

Guangdong Corecon Precision Industry Co., Ltd. has been a professional manufacturer of pins, sockets,pogo pins, pogo pin connectors and hardware CNC precision parts in China for 18 years. And we have gotten certificate of ISO9001 and IATF16949. If you have any questions related to the connector industry, please contact us and we will provide you with free, one-stop professional solutions within 24 hours.