Mueller Industries, Inc.

Barry Munce

Steffen Sigloch

Christopher Todd Kidder

Graphite-containing brass alloy billets having less than 0.25 wt. % lead and a method of manufacturing relating thereto are provided. The method includes forming a brass powder and mixing the brass powder with graphite and one or more binders. The brass powder contains copper and zinc and may be formed using water atomization. The brass-powder mixture is compacted to form an initial billet. The initial billet may be subjected to one or more heating treatments. A first heating treatment may be used to remove the one or more binders. An optional second heating treatment may be used to deoxidize the binder-free billet. An optional third heating treatment that includes applying a pressure may be used to densify the binder-free billet. A third heating treatment may sinter the compact to form the workable graphite-containing brass alloy billet.

Powder metallurgy process for making lead free brass alloys

Graphite-containing brass alloy billets having less than 0.25 wt. % lead and a method of manufacturing relating thereto are provided. The method includes forming a brass powder and mixing the brass powder with graphite and one or more binders. The brass powder contains copper and zinc and may be formed using water atomization. The brass-powder mixture is compacted to form an initial billet. The initial billet may be subjected to one or more heating treatments. A first heating treatment may be used to remove the one or more binders. An optional second heating treatment may be used to deoxidize the binder-free billet. A third heating treatment may sinter the compact to form the workable graphite-containing brass alloy billet.

A brass alloy containing trace amounts of iron, manganese and aluminum is disclosed. Phosphorus is added to a zinc, copper melt and combined with the iron, manganese and aluminum to form intermetallics. Additional phosphorus is added so the melt contains between about 0.08 to 0.15% phosphorus. The alloy has tin in the range of 0.15% to 0.35%.

Lead free dezincification alloy and method of making same

A method of producing a brass is disclosed. The alloy contains trace amounts of iron, manganese or aluminum. Phosphorous is added to a zinc, copper melt and combined with the iron, manganese and aluminum to form intermetallics. Additional phosphorous is added so the melt contains between about 0.08 to 0.15% phosphorous. A low lead brass alloy is provided. The alloy has tin in the range of 0.15% to 0.35%.

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Lexington, MI, United States of America

Barry Munce