Residual stress analysis of machined lead-free and lead-containing brasses

Abstract

Legislations demand low lead content in drinking water and low lead leaching from the water supply facilities. Lead-free brass (LFB) can fit in. The benefits of such alloy are acknowledged in both functional and environmental points of view. The relatively high strength of LFB means that the process condition and residual stress generation can be different as compared to the conventional brass. In this study, residual stress generation for a LFB (CuZn21Si3P) and a lead-containing brass (CuZn39Pb3) in a face-turning experiment is studied. Besides stress analysis, structural characterisation is also conducted. Stress generation in the feed and cutting directions of two brasses is depicted. Machined topography is measured to evaluate the surface integrity in connection with the machining conditions.This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Brass Alloys.