Target markets
Properties
BlueBrass®42 is a lead-free brass alloy
- with good machinability.
- with material properties comparable to current alloys (e.g. conductivity, corrosion resistance).
- with partially improved material properties in current applications of machinable brass (e.g. strength, workability).
- that presents an interesting alternative to leaded brass.
- containing only alloying elements that are miscible with existing scrap cycles.
Lead-free
- BlueBrass®42 is based on alloying elements customary in brass.
- In the alloyed partitions, the elements contained are miscible in every brass foundry with chips from alloys currently in use.
- Guidelines and legal specifications already define the use of lead-free alloys in many areas. These are monitored in shorter and shorter intervals and made more stringent. It is thus expected that the RoHS („Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment”) and the ELV („Directive on End of Life Vehicles”) will set new parameters as early as 2012 and 2015, respectively. BlueBrass®42 already fulfils the set requirements, without exemptions.
Chemical composition of BlueBrass®42 (by weight %)
| Cu | 57.0-59.0 |
| Zn | rest |
| Fe, Ni, Sn | 0.1-0.5 |
| Si, Mn | max. 0.1 |
| Pb | <0.1 |
Machinable
BlueBrass®42 is characterised by good chip control.Comparison of chips
A 6mm round wire was used as a work piece and was turned lengthwise. The cutting depth is 0.5mm, the feed rate is 0.1mm/U and the cutting speed is 150m/min.
A significant feature of the alloy is that its copper percentage by weight is smaller than 59 %. The moderate alloying of further elements leads to a two-phase α/β microstructure. The material was developed for machining on account of its optimal arrangement of the phases in combination with some precipitations (Fe, Si, Mn).
Conductive
The good electrical conductivity of BlueBrass®42 enables optimal utilisation in current-carrying components.Physical properties of BlueBrass®42
| Density | g/cm³ | 8.4 |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 10-6/K | 20 |
| Electrical conductivity | MS/m %IACS | 14.6 25.0 |
| Thermal conductivity | W/(mK) | 113 |
| Modulus of elasticity | kN/mm² | 105 |
Workability & corrosion resistance
BlueBrass®42 opens up new possibilities for component manufacturing with the combination of high strength and good workability together with good machinability.
The stress cracking corrosion resistance (inspected in accordance with EN 14977:2006) and the dezincification resistance (inspected in accordance with DIN EN ISO 6509:1995) of BlueBrass®42 are comparable to those of conventional CuZn39Pb3.
Cost-effectiveness
BlueBrass®42 unlocks new potential for processing plants and for the central target markets in the automotive industry, electrical engineering, the electrical industry, construction and air conditioning technology.
BlueBrass®42 is offered on the basis of the metal quotation for Ms 58 on the metal exchange.
Contacts
Technical Contact
Dr. Ulrich Lorenz
E-mail: u.lorenz[at]aurubis[dot]com
Commercial Contact
Angelika Schoenen
E-mail: a.schoenen[at]aurubis[dot]com
Aurubis Stolberg GmbH & Co KG
Zweifaller Straße 150
52224 Stolberg
http://www.aurubis.com/stolberg
Tel. +49 2402 1241 - 0