Effect of Replacement of Lead by Tin on The Properties of Yellow Brass (Cu-Zn) alloy
M. A. MoustafaI.S. Ahmed, M. M. Moustafa, A. H. Ayoub
Abstract:
Brass alloys are widely used as industrial material because of their excellent characteristics such as high corrosion resistance, excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, and good machinability. In particular, machinable brass is obtained by adding lead. It is, however, necessary to reduce the use of lead from a view point from the hazardous effects on the environment and humans. The effect of replacement of toxic lead (Pb) in conventional brass alloy, with tin (Sn) has been investigated. Two brass alloys with copper content (~59) wt% were laboratory made, chemical compositions, microstructure of surfaces were characterized by optical microscope. Hardness, machinability, and compression test have also been studied. The experimental studies provided that high tin contents are responsible for eutectoid structure with the formation of a hard phase γ (Sn) improves hardness to the maximum and rise up elastic modulus and maximum stress than leaded brass. Fine crumbles and spiral chips swarf produced during machinability of leaded and tin brasses respectively.