US20120237394A1 - Low Lead Brass Alloy - Google Patents
Low Lead Brass Alloy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120237394A1 US20120237394A1 US13/513,567 US201013513567A US2012237394A1 US 20120237394 A1 US20120237394 A1 US 20120237394A1 US 201013513567 A US201013513567 A US 201013513567A US 2012237394 A1 US2012237394 A1 US 2012237394A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lead
- mischmetal
- bismuth
- brass alloy
- brass
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
- C22C9/04—Alloys based on copper with zinc as the next major constituent
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a low lead brass alloy which ensures reduction of harmful to human health effects of lead that is useful for increasing machinability of brass raw material used in tapwares, valves and water meters in the event of it's contact with water.
- Brass is the general name of the yellow alloys obtained by adding zinc (Zn) to copper (Cu). Brass material is commonly used for production of products such as tapware, valves and water meters. In order to facilitate machining of brass, 1.0 to 1.7% lead (Pb) is added into brass raw material.
- JP2000169919 a lead-free copper-based alloy having industrial machinability without including lead and excellent corrosion resistance, hot workability and mechanical properties is aimed to be produced.
- the invention comprises 0.5 to 63.5% copper, 0.5 to 2.0% bismuth, 0.5 to 1.8% tin, 0.2 to 0.7% nickel, 0.04 to 0.4% iron, 0.02 to 0.10% antimony, 0.04 to 0.15% phosphorus and 0.02 to 0.1% mischmetal by weight and balancing amount of zinc and certain impurities.
- a free cutting brass containing no lead or small amount of lead is aimed to be obtained.
- the content of the invention comprises 57 to 61% copper, 0.5 to 4% bismuth (or bismuth and lead), 0.05 to 0.9% mischmetal by weight and a remaining amount of zinc.
- the objective of the present invention is to obtain a low lead brass alloy comprising less than 0.25% lead by weight.
- a further objective of the invention is to realize a low lead brass alloy which is provided with machinability by means of its bismuth content.
- a yet further objective of the invention is to realize a low lead brass alloy wherein the bismuth distribution in the brass is controlled by means of its mischmetal content.
- Another objective of the invention is to realize a low lead brass alloy with reduced cost.
- Yet another objective of the invention is to realize an environmentally friendly low lead brass alloy.
- FIG. 1 is the 500 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Mg-RE based mischmetal.
- FIG. 2 is the 500 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Si-RE based mischmetal.
- FIG. 3 is the 100 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Mg-RE based mischmetal.
- FIG. 4 is the 200 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Si-RE based mischmetal.
- the inventive low lead brass alloy copper, zinc, bismuth, aluminum, boron and other elements are melted in a melting furnace. The mixture is casted by a die casting method. Then, brass ingots are obtained from which tapwares suitable for polishing, coating and machining will be produced and which are qualified to be used in a low-pressure casting process.
- the low lead brass alloy comprises 55 to 65% copper (Cu), 0.5 to 2.0% bismuth (Bi), 0.1 to 1.0% aluminum (Al), 5 to 10 ppm boron (B), 0.05 to 0.30% mischmetal, other metals which are comprised of less than 0.1% iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn) and less than 0.25% lead (Pb) by weight.
- the mischmetal mixture (Fe-Mg-RE) consists of 5 to 19% iron (Fe), 1 to 4% magnesium (Mg), 75 to 93% rare earth (RE).
- the mischmetal mixture (primary Fe-Si-RE) consists of a mixture of 50% iron (Fe) and silicon (Si) and 50% rare earth.
- the content of the rare earth consists of 49 to 59% cerium (CE), 29 to 39% lanthanum (La), 0 to 10% neodymium (Nd) and 0 to 7% praseodymium (Pr).
- the mischmetal mixture (secondary Fe-Si-RE) consists of 20 to 40% iron (Fe), 20 to 40% silicon (Si), 20 to 60% rare earth and a remaining amount of other elements (aluminum, calcium, titanium etc.).
- the content of the rare earth used in these mischmetals consists of 40 to 65% cerium (CE) and 25 to 50% lanthanum (La).
- the inventive addition of mischmetal prevents the bismuth from accumulating at the grain boundaries.
- the bismuth disperses in the form of a droplet in a microstructure, like lead ( FIG. 1-FIG . 4 ).
- the inventive ingot is the values of the rod sample, which is taken from the leaded ingot alloy produced in accordance with standards, obtained as a consequence of its mechanical and hardness tests.
- the ingot with bismuth-mischmetal is the tensile test values of the rod sample taken from the alloy with mischmetal which is added in order to ensure homogeneous distribution of the bismuth that is added instead of lead and prevent it from accumulating at grain boundaries (Table 1).
Abstract
The present invention relates to a low lead brass alloy which ensures reduction of harmful to human health effects of lead that is useful for increasing machinability of brass raw material used in tapwares, valves and water meters, in the event of it's contact with water and which comprises less than 0.25% lead. The inventive brass alloy is an alloy which has machinability, is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly by means of its bismuth content.
Description
- The present invention relates to a low lead brass alloy which ensures reduction of harmful to human health effects of lead that is useful for increasing machinability of brass raw material used in tapwares, valves and water meters in the event of it's contact with water.
- Brass is the general name of the yellow alloys obtained by adding zinc (Zn) to copper (Cu). Brass material is commonly used for production of products such as tapware, valves and water meters. In order to facilitate machining of brass, 1.0 to 1.7% lead (Pb) is added into brass raw material.
- The lead content in brass is desired to be reduced due to the harms caused by lead against environment and human health upon mixing with water. As a result of the researches conducted, machinability is provided to brass raw material by addition of bismuth (Bi), instead of lead, which has characteristics similar to lead and has much less toxicity than lead. After production of these alloys, there are encountered cracks and gaps in the regions where bismuth accumulates due to the fragile structure of bismuth. In order to avoid this and control distribution of bismuth in the material, an alloy known as “mischmetal” is added between 0.05 to 0.30%. Addition of mischmetal prevents bismuth from forming a fragile film at grain boundaries within brass.
- Due to the fact that there is lead within brasses in the technique; after the lead mixes up in the water passing through the armatures, it may harm human health. With making addition of bismuth alone rather than lead addition, the bismuth does not show a homogeneous distribution and it leads to cracks by accumulating at grain boundaries, composing stress in the material. In addition, cost of pure mischmetal is high in order to eliminate negative effects of bismuth.
- In the United States patent document no. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,591, by means of taking advantage of some previous patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,726, 5,137,685, 4,879,094), it is aimed to improve brass characteristics via addition of bismuth by reducing the lead content in the brass. Additionally it is stated in these patents that, in the event that there is bismuth within the alloy, high amounts of certain elements such as phosphorus, indium and tin must be present within the alloy to offset adverse effects of bismuth. In this patent document there are 55 to 70% copper, 30 to 45% zinc, 0.2 to 1.5% bismuth, 0.2 to 1.5% aluminum, 0 to 1% lead by weight as content of brass and at least two of the elements of B, In, Ag, Ti, Co, Zr, Nb, Ta, Mo, Tl, V as grain refiners.
- In the Chinese patent document no. CN101368238, “stibium” is used instead of lead with the aim of reducing the lead content in the brass. Environmental pollution and it's damages for human health are aimed to be eliminated. The content of this invention is composed of 57 to 61% copper, 0.1 to 0.2% tin, 0.1 to 0.5% “stibium”, 0.05 to 0.12% cerium-rich mischmetal less than 0.5% iron by weight and the rest are zinc and impurities.
- In the Japanese patent document no. JP2000169919, a lead-free copper-based alloy having industrial machinability without including lead and excellent corrosion resistance, hot workability and mechanical properties is aimed to be produced.
- The invention comprises 0.5 to 63.5% copper, 0.5 to 2.0% bismuth, 0.5 to 1.8% tin, 0.2 to 0.7% nickel, 0.04 to 0.4% iron, 0.02 to 0.10% antimony, 0.04 to 0.15% phosphorus and 0.02 to 0.1% mischmetal by weight and balancing amount of zinc and certain impurities.
- In the European patent document no. EP0560590, a free cutting brass containing no lead or small amount of lead is aimed to be obtained. The content of the invention comprises 57 to 61% copper, 0.5 to 4% bismuth (or bismuth and lead), 0.05 to 0.9% mischmetal by weight and a remaining amount of zinc.
- The objective of the present invention is to obtain a low lead brass alloy comprising less than 0.25% lead by weight.
- A further objective of the invention is to realize a low lead brass alloy which is provided with machinability by means of its bismuth content.
- A yet further objective of the invention is to realize a low lead brass alloy wherein the bismuth distribution in the brass is controlled by means of its mischmetal content.
- Another objective of the invention is to realize a low lead brass alloy with reduced cost.
- Yet another objective of the invention is to realize an environmentally friendly low lead brass alloy.
- A low lead brass alloy realized to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is the 500 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Mg-RE based mischmetal. -
FIG. 2 is the 500 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Si-RE based mischmetal. -
FIG. 3 is the 100 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Mg-RE based mischmetal. -
FIG. 4 is the 200 times enlarged view of the microstructure of the ingot with bismuth which is produced by addition of Fe-Si-RE based mischmetal. - In the production of the inventive low lead brass alloy; copper, zinc, bismuth, aluminum, boron and other elements are melted in a melting furnace. The mixture is casted by a die casting method. Then, brass ingots are obtained from which tapwares suitable for polishing, coating and machining will be produced and which are qualified to be used in a low-pressure casting process.
- The low lead brass alloy comprises 55 to 65% copper (Cu), 0.5 to 2.0% bismuth (Bi), 0.1 to 1.0% aluminum (Al), 5 to 10 ppm boron (B), 0.05 to 0.30% mischmetal, other metals which are comprised of less than 0.1% iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn) and less than 0.25% lead (Pb) by weight.
- In one embodiment of the inventive low lead brass alloy, the mischmetal mixture (Fe-Mg-RE) consists of 5 to 19% iron (Fe), 1 to 4% magnesium (Mg), 75 to 93% rare earth (RE).
- In another embodiment of the inventive low lead brass alloy, the mischmetal mixture (primary Fe-Si-RE) consists of a mixture of 50% iron (Fe) and silicon (Si) and 50% rare earth. The content of the rare earth consists of 49 to 59% cerium (CE), 29 to 39% lanthanum (La), 0 to 10% neodymium (Nd) and 0 to 7% praseodymium (Pr).
- In a further embodiment of the inventive low lead brass alloy, the mischmetal mixture (secondary Fe-Si-RE) consists of 20 to 40% iron (Fe), 20 to 40% silicon (Si), 20 to 60% rare earth and a remaining amount of other elements (aluminum, calcium, titanium etc.). The content of the rare earth used in these mischmetals consists of 40 to 65% cerium (CE) and 25 to 50% lanthanum (La).
- The inventive addition of mischmetal prevents the bismuth from accumulating at the grain boundaries. Thus the bismuth disperses in the form of a droplet in a microstructure, like lead (
FIG. 1-FIG . 4). -
TABLE 1 Mechanical properties of the ingot with bismuth-mischmetal and the inventive ingot Tensile Strength Hardness (HB) (N/mm2) % Elongation STANDART min. 110 min. 350 min. 4 The Inventive Ingot 107 339 11.7 Ingot with Bismuth- 111 350 11.3 Mischmetal - Considering the mechanical properties of the ingot with bismuth-mischmetal and the inventive ingot there are standards relating to rod sample taken from leaded ingots which are used in the prior art, in the production of tapwares. Whereas the inventive ingot is the values of the rod sample, which is taken from the leaded ingot alloy produced in accordance with standards, obtained as a consequence of its mechanical and hardness tests. The ingot with bismuth-mischmetal is the tensile test values of the rod sample taken from the alloy with mischmetal which is added in order to ensure homogeneous distribution of the bismuth that is added instead of lead and prevent it from accumulating at grain boundaries (Table 1).
- Mechanical and hardness properties of the rod sample which is prepared from the alloy of the mischmetal added ingots with bismuth, substantially fulfill the values stated in the standard and can give better results than the sample taken from the standard leaded ingots (Table 1).
- Within the scope of these basic concepts, it is possible to develop a wide variety of embodiments of the inventive “Low Lead Brass Alloy”. The invention cannot be limited to the examples described herein; it is essentially according to the claims.
Claims (6)
1. A low lead brass alloy used in all brass based products that contact with water such as tapware, valves and water meters
comprising 55 to 65% copper (Cu), 0.1 to 1.0% aluminum, 5 to 10 ppm boron (B), other metals which are comprised of less than 0.1% iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn) by weight;
characterized by 0.5 to 2.0% bismuth (Bi), 0.05 to 0.30% mischmetal and less than 0.25% lead (Pb) by weight.
2. A low lead brass alloy according to claim 1 , characterized by mischmetal which is comprised of a mixture of 5 to 19% iron (Fe), 1 to 4% magnesium, 75 to 93% rare earth.
3. A low lead brass alloy according to claim 1 , characterized by mischmetal which is comprised of a mixture of 50% iron (Fe) and silicon (Si) and a mixture of 50% rare earth.
4. A low lead brass alloy according to claim 3 , characterized by rare earth which is comprised of a mixture of 49 to 59% cerium (Ce), 29 to 39% lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd) between 0 to 10% and praseodymium (Pr) between 0 to 7%.
5. A low lead brass alloy according to claim 1 , characterized by mischmetal which is comprised of a mixture of 20 to 40% iron (Fe), 20 to 40% silicon (Si), 20 to 60% rare earth and a remaining amount of other elements.
6. A low lead brass alloy according to claim 5 , characterized by rare earth which is comprised of a mixture of 40 to 65% cerium (Ce) and 25 to 50% lanthanum (La).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TR2009/09089A TR200909089A1 (en) | 2009-12-03 | 2009-12-03 | Low lead brass alloy. |
TR2009/09089 | 2009-12-03 | ||
PCT/IB2010/050406 WO2011067682A1 (en) | 2009-12-03 | 2010-01-29 | Low lead brass alloy |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120237394A1 true US20120237394A1 (en) | 2012-09-20 |
Family
ID=42236867
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/513,567 Abandoned US20120237394A1 (en) | 2009-12-03 | 2010-01-29 | Low Lead Brass Alloy |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120237394A1 (en) |
TR (1) | TR200909089A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011067682A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103469006B (en) * | 2013-09-22 | 2015-04-15 | 苏州华宇精密铸造有限公司 | Method for manufacturing nickel-copper alloy valve body for precision casting |
CN103911525B (en) * | 2014-03-25 | 2016-05-11 | 安新县华昌合金厂 | A kind of materials recycling LEAD-FREE BRASS ALLOY and preparation method thereof |
WO2022039680A1 (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2022-02-24 | Sarbak Metal Tic. Ve San. A.Ş. | Low lead boron added brass alloy |
DE102021103686A1 (en) * | 2021-02-17 | 2022-08-18 | Diehl Metall Stiftung & Co. Kg | brass alloy |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5096507A (en) * | 1989-10-12 | 1992-03-17 | Buck Werke Gmbh & Co. | Method of applying a cerium misch metal coating to the surface of a splinter-active component of an incendiary splinter projectile |
US5487867A (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1996-01-30 | Federalloy, Inc. | Copper-bismuth casting alloys |
US5630984A (en) * | 1992-06-02 | 1997-05-20 | Ideal-Standard Gmbh | Brass alloy |
US20060239853A1 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2006-10-26 | Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. | Copper alloy and process for producing the same |
US20090053589A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-02-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Electrolytes, electrode compositions, and electrochemical cells made therefrom |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB8724311D0 (en) | 1987-10-16 | 1987-11-18 | Imi Yorkshire Fittings | Fittings |
US5167726A (en) | 1990-05-15 | 1992-12-01 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Machinable lead-free wrought copper-containing alloys |
US5137685B1 (en) | 1991-03-01 | 1995-09-26 | Olin Corp | Machinable copper alloys having reduced lead content |
JPH05255778A (en) | 1992-03-10 | 1993-10-05 | Hitachi Alloy Kk | Free cutting brass alloy |
ES2106692T3 (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1999-08-01 | Federalloy Inc | PLUMBING ACCESSORIES AND FITTINGS. |
US5879477A (en) * | 1993-05-17 | 1999-03-09 | Kohler Co. | Reduced lead bismuth yellow brass |
US5360591A (en) | 1993-05-17 | 1994-11-01 | Kohler Co. | Reduced lead bismuth yellow brass |
JP2000169919A (en) | 1998-12-04 | 2000-06-20 | Sanbo Copper Alloy Co Ltd | Lead-free copper base alloy material |
JP4620963B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2011-01-26 | Dowaホールディングス株式会社 | Brass, manufacturing method thereof, and parts using the same |
CN101368238A (en) | 2007-08-16 | 2009-02-18 | 新昌县金声铜业有限公司 | Leadless free-cutting brass alloy sectional material and method of producing the same |
EP2196549B1 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2019-03-13 | Toto Ltd. | Lead-free, free-machining brass having excellent castability |
-
2009
- 2009-12-03 TR TR2009/09089A patent/TR200909089A1/en unknown
-
2010
- 2010-01-29 WO PCT/IB2010/050406 patent/WO2011067682A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-01-29 US US13/513,567 patent/US20120237394A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5096507A (en) * | 1989-10-12 | 1992-03-17 | Buck Werke Gmbh & Co. | Method of applying a cerium misch metal coating to the surface of a splinter-active component of an incendiary splinter projectile |
US5630984A (en) * | 1992-06-02 | 1997-05-20 | Ideal-Standard Gmbh | Brass alloy |
US5487867A (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1996-01-30 | Federalloy, Inc. | Copper-bismuth casting alloys |
US20060239853A1 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2006-10-26 | Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. | Copper alloy and process for producing the same |
US20090053589A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-02-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Electrolytes, electrode compositions, and electrochemical cells made therefrom |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2011067682A1 (en) | 2011-06-09 |
TR200909089A1 (en) | 2011-06-21 |
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Owner name: ELSAN HAMMADDE SANAYI ANONIM SIRKETI, TURKEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OZGEN, OMER;OZKALAN, AHMET TANER;REEL/FRAME:028437/0038 Effective date: 20120531 |
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