Abstract
New brass alloys containing less or even no lead are being developed, decreasing the environmental impact of the material. One example of an alternative brass is CuZn21Si3P, which contains less than 0.09 wt-% Pb. The research presented in this article evaluates the machinability of CuZn21Si3P as compared to more common, lead-containing free-machining brasses. The results show a marked decrease in the machinability of CuZn21Si3P. When longitudinally turning CuZn21Si3P the cutting tool failed after 142 min of machining. This tool wear was to a large extent remedied through the use of a coating on the cutting tool. CuZn21Si3P appears as a viable substitute for lead-containing brasses, thus implying the possibility for improving the sustainability of modern production.
This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Brass Alloys.
Acknowledgements
This research is a part of the Lead-Free Brass research project funded by Mistra Innovation, The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research, and the Lead-Free Copper Alloys in Products and Components research project funded by the Swedish Strategic Innovation Area Produktion2030 (Vinnova). It is also a part of the Sustainable Production Initiative cooperation between Lund University and Chalmers University of Technology. The authors would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by AB Markaryds Metallarmatur. Finally, the authors would like to thank Susanna Lindgren at Oerlikon Balzers Sandvik Coating AB, Professor V. M. Beresnev at Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine, and Seco Tools AB.