Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Behavior of Lead-Free Silicon Brass Manufactured by Low-Pressure Die Casting

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S11665-018-3615-0· OSTI ID:22863258

Yang, Chao; Ye, Wenbing; Yang, Yuchuan; Wang, Fen ^[1]; Ding, Yanfei ^[2]; Zhu, Quanli; Zhang, Weiwen ^[1]

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1. South China University of Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Near-Net-Shape Forming for Metallic Materials (China)
2. Guangdong Huayi Plumbing Fittings Industry Co., Ltd. (China)

Low-pressure die casting (LPDC) has been widely used to process aluminum and magnesium alloys; however, it has yet to be applied to manufacture brass alloys. This study investigates the microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior of a lead-free CuZnSiAl silicon brass via a variable-controlling approach on the basis of a faucet casting by LPDC. The manufactured silicon brass castings are predominantly composed of bcc β-CuZn(Si, Al) and minor fcc α-Cu(Zn, Si) solid solutions. The silicon brass castings also predominantly exhibit short rod-like or granular α phases, which distinctly differ from the acicular α morphology obtained by conventional gravity casting. The manufactured silicon brass castings which contain finer β grains and short rod-like or granular α phase exhibit superior mechanical properties. Their optimal mechanical properties—elongation of 15.0%, yield strength of 359.8 MPa, and ultimate tensile strength of 598.9 MPa—are far superior to those of the typical lead brass HPb59-1. The results obtained in this study provide insight into the manufacture and design of lead-free silicon brass castings by LDPC.

• OSTI ID: 22863258
• Journal Information: Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 27; ISSN 1059-9495; ISSN JMEPEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BCC LATTICES
BRASS
ELONGATION
FCC LATTICES
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
MICROSTRUCTURE
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLID SOLUTIONS
TENSILE PROPERTIES