MACHINABLE COPPER ALLOYS HAVING REDUCED LEAD CONTENT

摘要

There is disclosed a machinable alpha beta brass having reduced lead content. The alloy contains bismuth to improve machinability. Either a portion of the zinc is replaced with aluminum silicon or tin, or a portion of the copper is replaced with iron, nickel or manganese. The amount of zinc and, in some embodiments zinc substitute, is that effective to provide a sufficient amount of the beta phase to enable hot working at temperatures above 600 C. Figures 2 through 4 illustrate composition regimes of the invention in correspondence with elements substituting for zinc.