Lead-Free Brass Alloys

2021-11-30

Brass Alloys are widely used in various industries such as electronics, sanitary and pneumatic industry. Due to great demand of the brass components, different alloying elements are added to brass to enhance the machinability of the materials. The most important element in this context is lead, improving the machinability with regard to excellent chip breakage, low tool wear and high applicable cutting parameters.

However, the use of lead in brass alloys has been restricted to protect health and environment. Depending on country and application, a maximum lead content of 0.1% ( Directive 2011/65/EU and 2015/863/EU [RoHS], directive 1907/2006/EG [REACH]) to 0.25% (safe Drink Water Act, USA) in brass alloys was prescribed. Until now exceptional rules are still valid in many cases (e.g. RoHS). But the necessity of these exceptional rules is checked in certain periods.

Now to avoid the potential Risk many lead free brass alloys are already developed (e.g. CW724R, CW508L, CW511L). But compared with leaded brass alloys the machining of the lead free brass alloys is more difficult: longer chips were formed, higher cutting forces and temperatures were generated and higher abrasive and adhesive tool wear was caused. It means expensive production cost. Now after many years cooperation with the customers we have already reduced the production cost to an acceptable level and get more and more orders.