Microstructure and properties of cutting magnesium-brass containing no lead

1 INTRODUCTIONLead-brass has excellent cutting ability , me-chanical and physical properties and is one of themost widely used copper alloys . The occupationratio of brass tube to all kinds of tubes reaches90 % in developed countries . The cutting lead-brass is a dual-phase brass and fine lead particlesdistribute dispersivelyin grains and on grain boun-ries . Theleadin wasted brass can easily beleachedand dissolvedinto soil .If the wasted lead-brass isburned in air ,the lead will become p…

Microstructure and properties of cutting magnesium-brass containing no lead

A new environmental friend cutting brass containing magnesium instead of lead was produced by casting, extruding and drawing. Its microstructure was observed and its mechanical, chemical and cutting properties were stutied. The results show that the global secondary particles which are brittle and soft intermetallics, distribute in grains and on grain boundries, which is helpful for improvement of cutting ability of the brass. The tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and area reduction of halfhard magnesium-brass are 550MPa, 280MPa, 16.30%, 32.4%, respectively. The cutting ability of magnesium-brass corresponds to that of lead-brass C3604 judged by the size and appearance of chips of alloy and by the cutting force. The magnesium-brass has excellent corrosion resistance.