Brass alloy

Abstract

A brass alloy is formed from 54 to 64% Cu, 0.05 to 0.15% Al, 0.005 to 0.5% In, at least one of the components of Fe, Sn and Ni in an amount of 0.01 to 3.0%, balance Zn and also unavoidable impurities. The combination of these materials provides a brass alloy that has improved machinability.

1 . A brass alloy, comprising:
 54 to 64 wt % Cu;   0.05 to 0.15 wt % AI;   0.005 to 0.5 wt % In;   at least one component selected from the group consisting of Fe, Sn and Ni in an amount collectively of 0.01 to 3.0 wt %;   balance Zn; and   unavoidable impurities.   
     
     
         2 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component selected from the group consisting of Fe, Sn and Ni is present in the amount of to 0.4 wt %. 
     
     
         3 . The brass alloy according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one component selected from the group consisting of Fe, Sn and Ni is present in the amount of to 0.3 wt %. 
     
     
         4 . The brass alloy according to  claim 3 , wherein each of Fe, Sn and Ni is present as three components each being present in an amount of in each case of 0.1 to 0.3 wt %. 
     
     
         5 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , further comprising Si in an amount of up to 0.01 wt %. 
     
     
         6 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , further comprising Mn in an amount of up to 0.2 wt %. 
     
     
         7 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the Zn content is 40 to 44 wt %. 
     
     
         8 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein only the following components have been added: Cu, Fe, Ni, Sn, In, Al and Zn. 
     
     
         9 . The brass alloy according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 56.0 to 58.0 wt % Cu;   0.1 to 0.3 wt % Fe;   0.1 to 0.3 wt % Ni;   0.1 to 0.3 wt % Sn;   0.005 to 0.25 wt % In;   0.05 to 0.15 wt % AI;   balance Zn; and   unavoidable impurities.   
     
     
         10 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , further comprising a microstructure having a matrix of a beta solid solution with fractions of an alpha solid solution. 
     
     
         11 . The brass alloy of  claim 10 , wherein a fraction of the alpha solid solution is at least 28 wt %. 
     
     
         12 . The brass alloy of  claim 10 , wherein the fraction of the alpha solid solution is at least 30 wt %. 
     
     
         13 . The brass alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the Zn content is more than 41 wt % and less than 43 wt %.