GloBrass and ECO BRASS are environmentally friendly materials, complying with RoHS directive, ELV directive and Tap water quality standards.
GloBrass is the new material whose copper content is close to general brass, the machinability and the strength are well balanced, it is possible to supply thinner bars, so it is recommended to mass-market segment which lead-containing brass are applied.
ECO BRASS is suitable substitutes for lead-containing brass as well as Austenitic stainless steel (JIS : SUS304), since ECO BRASS has a similar strength to stainless steel in addition to characteristics like superior machinability and hydrogen embrittlement resistance.
GloBrass and ECO BRASS contain lead less than 0.09%, complying with RoHS directive, ELV directive and Tap water quality standards, especially NSF61 (Lead elution amount : 5ppb) of Tap water quality standard in the U.S.
Material properties of GloBrass and ECO BRASS are improved by containing Si which does not affect to health while Lead does harm to.
| Time | Area | Directives | Industry | Contents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr. 2003 | JP | Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Ordinance No. 43 of 2002 | Tap water | Permissible lead content was changed from 0.05mg/L to 0.01mg/L. |
| Jul. 2003 | EU | ELV dierctive | Automobiles | Permissible amount of lead contained in copper alloy is 0.1% or less (4.0% if exemption is granted)* |
| Jul. 2006 | EU | RoHS directive | Electronics | Permissible amount of lead contained in copper alloy is 0.1% or less (4.0% if exemption is granted)* |
| Apr. 2011 | US | NSF14 | Tap water | Related to Dezincification corrosion resistance, Stress corrosion cracking resistance |
| Jul. 2012 | US | NSF61 | Tap water | Resriction of lead elution amount (changed from 15 ppb to 5 ppb) |
| Jan. 2014 | US | S3874 | Tap water | Resriction of lead content in pipes and plumbing fittings (Weighted average of 0.25%） |
| Dec. 2017 | EU | ELV Directive | Automobiles | Extension of the exemption to contain up to 4.0% lead in a copper alloy |
| May. 2018 | EU | RoHS Directive | Electronics | Extension of the exemption to contain up to 4.0% lead in a copper alloy |
| Jan. 2021 | EU | Revision of the Drinking Water Directive | Tap water | Resriction of lead elution amount (changed from 10 ppb to 5 ppb) |
Global accumulative sales volume of ECO BRASS reached 300,000 ton* as of fiscal year 2019. The sales volume has been increasing continuously; ECO BRASS is well recognized worldwide.
GloBrass is the new material whose copper content is close to general brass, the machinability and the strength are well balanced, it is possible to supply thinner bars, so it is recommended to mass-market segment which lead-containing brass are applied.
ECO BRASS series are ECO BRASS, SnECO and ECO-CR, SnECO is superior for erosion resistance*1, ECO-CR is outstanding for corrosion resistance*2. Each brass is applied to Automotive parts, Electrical parts and Faucet parts etc.
Faucet parts etc. : Water meter case, Faucet fittings, Sprinkler head
Automotive parts : Solenoid valves, Turbocharger bearings, Brake parts, Relief valve, Temperature sensor, Insert nuts, Tire valves
Electrical parts : 2-3 way valves / Flare nuts / Terminals for Air conditioners
Watch parts : Watch crowns, Case
| Type | Corrosion resistance | Erosion resistance | Application | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faucet parts | Automotive parts | Electrical parts | |||
| GloBrass | Average | Average | Average | Good | Good |
| ECO BRASS | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| SnECO | Good | Excellent | Excellent (Fast flow) |
- | - |
| ECO-CR | Excellent | Good | Excellent | - | - |
| Lead-containing brass, C3604 | Average | Average | Average | Good | Good |
| Low-lead-containing brass, C6820 | Average | Average | Average | Good | Good |
Each Characteristic of GloBrass and ECO BRASS is as follows.
Various Characteristics of GloBrass are superior to Lead-containing brass, the electrical conductivity of GloBrass is higher than Phosphor bronze,
it is applicable for terminals which transfer electric signals.
ECO BRASS series has well balanced performance and similar strength to Austenitic stainless steel (JIS : SUS304).
| Type | Tensile strength | Wear resistance | Corrosion resistance | Machinability | Forgeability | Castability | Electrical conductivity (%IACS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GloBrass | Good | Good | Average | Good | Excellent | Good | 16 |
| ECO BRASS | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | 8 |
| SnECO | Good | Good | Excellent | Good | Good | Good | 8 |
| ECO-CR | Good | Good | Excellent | Good | Good | Good | 8 |
| Lead-containing brass, C3604 | Average | Average | Average | Good | - | - | 26 |
| Lead-containing brass, C3771 | Average | Average | Average | Good | Good | - | 27 |
| Low-lead-containing brass, C6820 | Average | Average | Average | Average | Good | Good | 31 |
| Austenitic stainless steel (JIS : SUS304) | Good | Excellent | Good | Average | Average | - | 2 |
Chemical compositions and Registered Standard number are as follows.
(Weight %)
| Type | Shape | Standard number | Cu | Si | P | Sn | Pb*1 | Cd*1 | Zn | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDA | JIS | EN | |||||||||
| ECO BRASS | Bar | C69300 | C6932 | CW724R | 75.5 | 3.0 | 0.08 | <0.1 | <0.09 | <0.0075 | Rem.*2 |
| Casting | C87850 | CAC804 | CB768S | 76.0 | 3.0 | 0.08 | <0.1 | <0.09 | <0.0075 | Rem.*2 | |
| SnECO | Bar | C69310 | C6931 | - | 76.0 | 3.0 | 0.08 | 0.5 | <0.09 | <0.0075 | Rem.*2 |
| Casting | C87870 | CAC804 | - | 76.0 | 3.0 | 0.08 | 0.5 | <0.09 | <0.0075 | Rem.*2 | |
| ECO-CR | Bar | - | - | CW724R | 76.3 | 3.2 | 0.09 | 0.2 | <0.09 | <0.0075 | Rem.*2 |
| GloBrass | Bar | C68370 | - | - | 62.5 | 1.0 | 0.07 | <0.2 | <0.1 | <0.0075 | Rem.*2 |
GloBrass and ECO BRASS are supplied as following shapes.
 Bar, Rod |
 Forged products |
 Ingot for casting |
 Continuous casting rod |
 Continuous casting tube |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GloBrass | Available | Available | Available | - | - |
| ECO BRASS | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| SnECO | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| ECO-CR | Available | Available | Available | - | - |
Physical properties are as follows.
Typical values
| Property | GloBrass | ECOBRASS | Lead-containing brass C3604 |
Bronze-casting CAC406 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity g/cm3 |
8.3 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.8 |
| Thermal Conductivity W/m・K |
73 | 35 | 114 | 70 |
| Electrical Conductivity %IACS |
16 | 8 | 26 | 15 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion ×10-6/℃ |
19 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
| Liquidus temperature ℃ |
880 | 890 | 900 | 1010 |
| Solidus temperature ℃ |
865 | 855 | 885 | 860 |
Mechanical properties are as follows.
| Property | GloBrass | ECO BRASS | Lead-free brass C3604 |
Bronze-casting CAC406 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength MPa |
625 | 650 | 435 | 660 |
| 0.2% Yield Strength MPa |
470 | 420 | 295 | 310 |
| Elongation % |
20 | 20 | 25 | 55 |
| Hardness HV |
(185) | (200) | (140) | (160) |
| Property | ECO BRASS | Bronze-casting CAC406 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength MPa |
400 | 220 |
| 0.2% Yield Strength MPa |
170 | - |
| Elongation % |
20 | 15 |
The chips of C3604 are cut off because of stress concentration on Pb particles which are soft and low melting temperature. The chips of C6820 are likely continuous depending on weak stress concentration.
On the other hand, the chips of GloBrass are cut off due to stress concentration on β phase. The chips of ECO BRASS are cut off because of stress concentration on κ･γ phases which are hard.
GloBrass and ECO BRASS are applicable for dry cutting, because it's Lead-free. If the chips are not cut off under the same cutting conditions of C3604, we suggest that higher feed rate and lower cutting speed could be effective.
Furthermore, if breakage of cutting edge occurs, cutting edge with honing (small radius) could be one of the solution, such as recommended tools for stainless steel.
|
GloBrass
|
ECO BRASS
|
Lead-containing brass
C3604 |
Low-lead-containing brass
C6820 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal structure |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Chips |
 |
 |
 |
 |
One of the test results is as follows, it was possible to machine GloBrass, ECO BRASS under the same cutting conditions as Lead-containing brass C3604.
The cycle time of GloBrass and ECO BRASS was shorter than that of Austenitic stainless steel (JIS : SUS303) because of the higher cutting speed and feed rate.
The video is as follows. (https://youtu.be/X2Ie3rsLKu0)
Part after machining Φ20mm Bar (GloBrass)
| Process | Cutting tools* | GloBrass, ECO BRASS C3604 (Dry cutting) |
Austenitic stainless steel JIS : SUS303 (Wet cutting) |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holder | Insert | Rev. (min-1) |
Cutting speed (m/min) |
Feed rate (mm/rev) |
Rev. (min-1) |
Cutting speed (m/min) |
Feed rate (mm/rev) |
||
| 1 | Facing | SDJCR1212M11 | DCMT11T304-LM (VP15TF) |
2122 | 120 | 0.1 | 1768 | 100 | 0.1 |
| 2 | Leading-drill | DLE1000S100P090 | - | 2785 | 70 | 0.07 | 1194 | 30 | 0.05 |
| 3 | Drilling | MVS0800X05S080 | - | 3183 | 80 | 0.1 | 2387 | 60 | 0.1 |
| 4 | Turning | SDJCR1212M11 | DCMT11T304-LM (VP15TF) |
1989 | 100 | 0.1 | 1592 | 80 | 0.1 |
| 5 | Threading | MMTER1212H16-C | MMT16ERG60-S (VP15TF) |
700 | - | 2 | 700 | - | 2 |
| 6 | Turning | SDJCR1212M11 | DCMT11T304-LM (VP15TF) |
1768 | 100 | 0.1 | 1415 | 80 | 0.1 |
| 7 | Cutting-off | GYSR1212JX00-D13 | GY2M0200D020N-GS (VP20RT) |
2000 | - | 0.1 | 2000 | - | 0.1 |
The deformation resistance of GloBrass is lower than Lead-containing brass C3771, so any cracks did not occurred.
GloBrass has well forgeability, the proper temperature is 580～650℃. However, C3771 cracked below 620℃ and at 820℃.
On the other hand, suitable temperature of ECO BRASS is 700～760℃, in which the deformation resistance is low.
Wear amount of GloBrass or ECO BRASS is smaller than C3604 during the Amsler wear test with the lubrication.
Lubrication conditions :
Silicon oil,
Dripping and oil bath
ECO BRASS shows excellence in Dezincification corrosion resistance, because ECO BRASS contains little Zn, and no low β phase in terms of electrochemical in the matrix.
ECO BRASS has superiority in stress cracking resistance, since its composition of low Zn and 3% Si improves effectively for the performance.
Wear amount of SnECO is lower than C3604, and similar to CAC406(Bronze), because addition of Sn is effective for the corrosion resistance.
ECO-CR has the best corrosion resistance in ECO BRASS series, ECO-CR is recommended for localized corrosion of normal ECO BRASS.
C3604
ECO-CR
ISO6509 : Dezincification corrosion test
TEL：+81-6-6355-5101
