CHOOSING THE RIGHTBRASS There are over sixty brasses specified in EN Standards, The alloys cover a wide range of properties and atributes, so itis essential 10 select the appropriate alloy forthe application and fabrication rowerequired. For convenience this section will also include some discussion of the nickel silvers which are a group of copper-ine alloys containing They significant amounts of nickel. They are noted for their corrosion resistance, white colour and excellent elastic properties, BRASSES FOR SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING PROCESSES High-speed machiningbrasses [Lead is added wo bras to improve its machinability. Ic also has the effect, ‘of reducing the cod ductility ofthe meal so the amount of lead used depends on the exact combination of properties required. The lead exists as disrete particles inthe maix and causes the wart from the ‘machining operation tbe broken into fine chips rather than long cs allowing it to clear from the work piece Iubricant action, The lead also has some The most commonly availabe alloys ae summarised in Table J The casting and extrusion of these rasses must he carefully Controlled to ensure that the lead particles are finely dispersed and that any iron Tack manufacture can result in these impurities precipitating out a hard particles which For highest machining rates and ‘oF silicon impurities. are retained. in solution, of cate in ceentuate tol we ‘minimum tool wear itis therefore desirable to purchase stock from reputable suppliers Far applications where some eold forming operations are required after ‘machining, a bras with a higher copper content and les lead must be ‘sed, For example the alloy CWOOIN (CZ.131) i widely used where cold heading is to be earied out Brasses for hotworking In onder o select an appropriate bras, litle knovsledge of the basie talurgy ofthe brasses i useful When the alloy contains less than about 35% Zn, the zine stays in solid solution in the copper. Such brasses are known as single phase, or They have good ductility at ambient temperatures and is added, «second phase alpha brasses, are ideal for cold working. When more zin beta, is farmed, and at room temperature the alloy isa mixture of the two phases. These brasses are known as two-phase, alpha/bet duplex basses. Because the beta phase has very good hot ductility, the most appropriate alloys for hot working are the duplex brasses. The choice ‘of alloy will then depend om other factors Hot stamping brasses The most popular alloys for hot stamping are summarised in Table 2. They combine maximum ditty atthe stamping temperature (650° 750°C) to allow complex. shapes to be formed, reasonable ductility at room temperature are in the region of 60% Cu and 40% Zn, the plastic, beta phase atthe stamping temperature and have a mixture of alpha and beta phases at room temperature. The precise choice of alloy will depend on the service requirements and other fabrication processes. with strength and The optimum compositions These are predominantly in Campeiins! | Nearest Designation | Eauvaet Relevant ropes exmumber | owsitsn Sundar "EY Themosicomon assay Nap cut ns anaes cz ma| soning Hino Toa cate Pabst xe oy awh coin ©2124 | erat recat Tar — as 212 | Dsatcaton resin cabaret roy Gand asus wah proved oa coon 2181 | ey Sue er cceaang oven canara Gendchinaeyandsfcet dave conn 228 | Some caver Cabra? sa Szodmecnaby baied isan constr ©2122 | Govt rt tng om ae Ti the aly moat eqn wad Tr bot sang ewat7s yi [compe stapescaneomedanlitasgoodmshiabiiy Carat 108 This dis alo as superior cold dati 5 walas Seen 28 Tisai terol tity tan Cuz, owsi2w ae « ‘Soar 213 Decne ras, Use fr ong Gin wae ca mons as. ss fp nsBrasses for cold working (Table3) The alloys with maximum cold ductility are single phase alpha alloys, The most ductile, with the highest copper content is CWSOSL. (CZ106, 70/30), also called Carridge Brass, is widely used for deep drawing, For less demanding applications requiting simple Forming, the lower copper, cheaper alloys CWSO7L (CZ1O7, 64/36) or CWSOSL. (CZ108, 63/37) may he used, Cold working brasses are typically products such as sheet, stip foil, wire and tube used to make semi-finished The gilding metals, CWSOIL. (CZ101), CWS02L. (C7102) and CWS0SL (C2103) have excellent ductility, strength and eorosion resistance and fare frequently chosen for colour and durability for decorative architectural applications and costume jewellery. For special purposes, ‘where even beter corrosion resistance is required, aluminium or arscnical basses are available. Atypical application would be for condenser tubes for use with brackish or seawater. Brasses for easting (Table 4) Specific alloys have heen developed for each of the different casting processes. The most commonly used are listed in Table 4 Sonve of the alloys have an addition of lead for machinabilty, others have tin to improve and strength. All good combination of Muidity while pouring, and hot strength to avoid hot corrosion resistance have a tearing while solidifying. Manganese isa useful deoxidant, as litle as 0.02% present giving stronger, sound castings. For diccasting the 60/40 type alas are normally used, The higher zine content lowers the casting temperature and gives essential hot ductility. Small additions of silon or tin improve Audit resistance. Aluminium is added to form a protective oxide film to keep tin also improves. corrosion the molten metal clean and reduce the attack on the die materials. This ‘ype of alloy witha suitably controlled composition may also be used for castings required to be resistant to dezneification For applizations requiring higher strength, high tensile brass ean be used. These can be sand eas and CC7685 (HTB) is also sed for gravity Aiceasting The easting process is ideal for the production of complex shapes. End uses range from pipeline valves and electrical switchgear components hich require high soundness and strength, a long operating life and, in the case of components for mines and the petrochemical industry, spark resistant characteristics, to non eritical omamental applications where the ‘quirement is fora good surface finish as well sa long service life BRASSES FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS High tensile brasses The high tensile brasses ate copper-rine alloys with additions to Jncrease the tensile strength over that ofthe simple binary coppee-7ine basses. They have been inuse for many years and were commonly but incorrectly called "Manganese Bronzes. many years has provided for industry a family of alloys with tensile strengths in excess of 700N/mm2 and also with enhaneed properties of Development work over ‘wear tesistance and corrosion resistance, They are suitable for a wide range of applications and service condliions, ranging from decorative architectural use 10 Fesistant automobile transmission components and the high strength, high integrity equipment used in mines, ‘The alloys containing aluminium have an attractive, naturally lstrous surface; the self healing film confers extra corrosion resistance, The silicon-contaning alloy has excellent wear resistance The realy available high tensile brasses included in EN Standards are shown in Table $. Conpetinal Desonston |] Equant = Compo! Designston Equant En ‘and EN number Old British Palecem Bree ‘and EN number OldBrrtish eee Standard senrloy ese a ty mae Genoa pape sn ain caznso ___ | Insheetomcanbeuseator eae $08} | Nocera sengh and good cuz zis | deeperaning As wire Sitabeforne mont cone AE This is the most conmonty ver a ctoraton cans 088 | duppieddicastngbrass A ine raed versions alae oownas CarmonBras is outro | ey ThisansOC7S1S (DARA oon ces | sempotzneninoeeney| | cuzcsronc ama __ | popervesemiaro CC7Ses| z weomen | | corses {be89potcantetetrenese rears ecrteion isan ity poh ouzn oy | eonpmrcanen veyanos | Pomarasic senrusiaterest on cwsoi So corrosion resistance. cc7s1s - s stor OCTE2S (OZR) Canter an oerats Aloyhesgooestrentnand outs czy | SminrioGHsorLwsony tegineseragoodcorosen vst. sperms poet rexetance Sandcastngis cuzmsnnaniretc ccress| rer | tmploectoostprposes Further mproverentin butsecastngscanasobe mechanical properties. dvesdandhesowthave ae cars| Suomessa oe nthe motes sogosascv0'L Sse This ally ihe nearest feuivalet the Brith Snr Co7625 TBS) bu octom Has excatent | | CuZststinrssc ccres] ray | Mote are many dlerencas cuzrannaas 8 form, Hi encolont Neither ay shouldbeusedtor canna cai | conosonrestone Use Nabe eevee orzo or plesios Tyhavehighe srenhtan nicer save coresBrasses for electricalapplications Brass is widely used for contacts and terminals applications, ls electrical conductivity is good and it has the great advantage that the thn oxide film which forms on exposure tothe iris in clectrical electrically conductive so that contact resistanee does not increase The precise choice of alloy will depend on the service conditions. The electrical properties of some readily available alloys are listed in Table “ Brasses for architecturalapplications Brasses containing aluminium or manganese are frequently used for architectural applications. because of the self-healing, attractive films which they exhibit. Manganese brass CW720R (CZ136) has a ehocolate coloured film when oxidised and the aluminium containing brasses which are included in EN 12167 as CW623N (CZ130) have a bright yellow colour with a silvery sheen, Both types ‘of alloy have excelent hot workability which allows the complex section shapes required in-_many architetural applications. wo be produced, Other attractive colours are available with the use of the siding metals, CWSOIL (CZ101), CWS0RL. (CZ102) and CWSO3L (C2103) available as extruded sections, rolled sheet and strip and astube, Brasses for decorative applications For costume jewellery, decorative trims and other similar applications the low-zine brasses of gilding metals mentioned above are recommended. ‘They have an attractive golden colour which varies ‘with copper content, and good tarnish resistance, [Nickel silvers are also widely used for decorative purposes, They require no protection or special attention when used indoors, although it should be noted that thee will be a slight yellowing ofthe original slvery-white colour on the lowernicke! alloys. Outdoors, treatment with very light oil wax polish oF lacquer is required to prevent eventual development af & light powdery green patna Dezincification-resistant brass In certain circumstances where water supplies are unusually aggressive, conventional duplex brass water fittings ean ser a form of corrsion known as dezincificaion This involves selective leaching of the zinc Which ean cause fracture of the fitting. Decineitiation-esstant. brass CWoORN (C2132), should then be specified. This is made as ftings, Sopeocks and valves with a carefully eonteolled composition by extrusion of hot stasping, followed by heat treatment to ensure thatthe ‘material will satisfy the requirements of the standard. dezinifcation- resistance test. Versions of the alloy suitable for diecasting are also available ju =. oat Pept cogs || pen rontes || conan | a Jes jon ie Designation Modulus oninion aah eet} ton | Same] aye i eae exnunber |i] gyglnins |S) | eynunter | Samia | apteaton sustey | roe Alloy Nimm2 Alloy |nmmaxt0s | %ACS Saar cr [Sone Ig secon en — — ‘Cuzn40MntPbIAlFeSn ‘Door lock parts for ‘Cuzn30 cz106 pcan WT a cam | pimyewrann’ | asose} | cre tomtpgroncmact own Spinners fr classic rs Lamp caps and switch cas Yectrngs ae cczi08. | componenis.Instipanawre | 111 2 ns eremion es Tosa cuzmtnnPonFesn coe stone camzaan voi [Memesipimeseah |p |g oe casts | eevee sans) be cere epee, so ee ‘pins and terminals. fone cane plating. a st06 | Asabove. 135 6 canons aire ad cana cacmsranare | ig [EMRE |r | [OR ve |e we | as cosh San oar Ere cat ——— CW617N C2122 | as teminals 6 eo ae _— casrmncrss | cous |posmcso | or || ewetan ies acon ace — oon se [oat cre r" a cC750S = caw omen ws cotrWe cw720R C2198 rcitctural sections, | °° | | co7s4s, Se [fel oe we a [Casingbrassofgeod [450 | cuznssnmnaan ret] Hey ty components cores tres asec co7sss ctrl cecal conch een me roe —— a cemes, pez | resistance, )Brasses for service in seawater The small additions of tn in Naval brass and Admiralty brass improve the corrosion resistance in seawater. Naval brass, old BS specification CZA12, contains 60% Cu, 39% Za and 1% Sn. Iisa duplex brass and is therefore harder and stronger, but less ductile than Admiralty brass, ‘CW706R (CZ111, which contains 712% Cu, 28% Zn with 1% Smand is an alpha brass. The nearest equivalent to Naval brass is a leaded alloy, CW712R. Nowadays. Aluminium brass CW702R (CZ110) has replaced Admiralty brass for tubes for marine service, but Admiralty ‘ass. continues to be used for fash water. It should be noted thatthe alumina film which forms on Aluminium brass will prevent setting by solder so aluminium-free alloys must be chosen if soldering is required. Dezincification-esistant brass and somehigh tensile brasses can also be used for marine applications. Brass tubes for fluid handling brass tubes are used in the hard drawn condition, or ithey have been severely cold worked by bending or swaging in assembly, they should ‘generally be stress relief heat treated to ensure freedom from stress corrosion enicking, un such that ‘exposure to ammonia in any form is unlikely. Fuel lines, ol pipes ete, made up using annealed tube and with asonably gentle bends, do not require treatment unless their service envionment s unas ss the conditions of service Arsenical 70/30 brass tube for heat exchangers CW707R (CZ126) is widely used infesh water service and is the prefered brass for applications such as automotive radiators and oll coolers, Its arsenic ‘content (0.02 - 0.06%) helps to combat dezincfieation and improves corrosion resistance. Admiralty brass CW706R (CZLI1), containing tin, offers slightly increased general resistance to erosion corrosion and substantially increased resistance to both pitting and, erosion corrosion in the presence of sulphide pollution. It is the preferred brass for condenser and heat exchanger tubes handling fresh waters with less than 2,000ppm dissolved solids, but is not recommended for seawater service at water speeds in excess of2.5-3.0 rns, Atthe low water speeds commonly associated with ol coolers fr ‘example, Admiralty brass should not suffer erosion corrosion and, if the cooling water is polluted with sulphide, oF long periods of stagnation leading to decay of marine organisms and activity of sulphate-reducing, bacteria within the tubes are experienced, the sulphide-esistance imparted by its tin eontent makes it preterable to Aluminium brass Aluminium brass CW702R (CZ110) is easily best for seawater service - oth as condenser and heat exchanger tubing and as seawater Piping Ihas been very widely used for the condensers of fossil-felled and noclearpower stations throughout the world and also forth heatzecovery seetions of dessnaion plants Fr optimum performance the cooling water is teaed with ferrous sulphate, which ensues the fommation ofa surface film which is highly protective and does nt interfere seriously with heat transfer ‘Tungum Tube The aluminium icke-silicon brass CW7OOR (CZ127) Tungum was ‘originally developed for the hydraulic lines in the contol systems of sirorat, It combines excellent Fatigue properties with high stength 10 ‘weight ratio and good corrosion resistance particularly in seawater. Like all brasses, Tungum maintains good mechanical properties at ryogenie temperatures with values for strength and ductility at 196°C being slightly higher than at roomtemperature thas very good resistance to stress cortsion cracking bu s not immu 0 care should be taken not leave highly stessed pipes in ammonical Tungum Tube is used in * Hydraulic systems in aviation, offshore and ‘marine applications + High pressure gas transportation, e . by BOC and Air Products for carrying high pressure oxygen where non- “parking requirements aremandatory Cleanliness of tube - carbon films Tube specified for use in fresh water or marine conditions should be purchased in accordance with EN 12449 (General) or EN 12451 exchangers). These standards specifically refer to Surface ‘onsideration may need tobe given to the actual or potenti jon of the surface with earbon films, even though carbon s not specifically mentioned inthe standards Such films occur during the thermal decomposition of drawing lubricants during final annealing or they may occur during fiting if lubricant residue is left in the bores. (Most modem lubricants and manufacturing techniques are designed to avoid this problem and evidence of carbon may be-a sign of questionable manufacturing practice), Carbon films have been shown to inex © the risk of piting corrosion ‘copper water tube and pitting and erosion in brass condenser and heat ‘exchanger tube. For this reason the purchaser may wish to consider invoking additional testing.