A Copper Alliance Member
Industry Consortium Designates Lead-Free Alloy Series: EnviroBrass
November 3, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK— A brass industry consortium led
by the Copper Development Association has designated "EnviroBrass" as
a registered name for the alloy series it introduced as SeBiLOYs
in 1995. EnviroBrass alloys help component manufacturers to meet
the strict requirements of the National Sanitation Foundation's
NSF Standard 61 for drinking water as well as related U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency rules.
Dr. Harold T. Michels, CDA vice president for technical and environmental
programs, said, "The original technical name, SeBiLOY, simply refers to
alloy composition; whereas, EnviroBrass is a trade name that reflects environmental
friendliness—the real positive attribute of the alloys."
Michels continued, "The highly acclaimed EnviroBrass alloys contain only
trace amounts of lead up to a maximum of 0.25 percent. EnviroBrass I (C89510)
and EnviroBrass II (C89520) substitute a mixture of selenium and bismuth
for the lead contained in the cast red brasses, typically used in potable
water applications such as water meters, valves and plumbing fixtures.
EnviroBrass III, C89550, is expected to be released early next year. It
will offer a lead-free yellow brass for the permanent mold casting process."
EnviroBrass is supplied as ingot or castings by manufacturers who obtain
a selenium-bismuth "master melt" called Envirolloy from ASARCO Incorporated,
which first conceived of the lead replacement. The breakthrough alloys
were brought to market by a research and development consortium of CDA,
Asarco, BBIM (Brass and Bronze Ingot Manufacturers) and AFS (American Foundrymen's
Society), along with water products producers and other foundries.
Michels said the manufacturing and finishing characteristics of EnviroBrass
alloys are comparable to C84400 and C83600 leaded red brasses. They offer
good strength, excellent casting characteristics and high machinability.
They also offer significant environmental, health and safety benefits to
foundrymen, machine shops, plumbing manufacturers as well as end users.
No royalties or licensing fees are related to the manufacture of any of
the alloys.
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