Different grades of brass. . .

[Hantra]

All:

I have a rather elementary question for all you experts and metallurgists. If one is engineering mechanical grounding equipment for vibration control, one would want to avoid metals, and materials that do not transfer energy well such as lead.

My question is about specific grades of brass. There is such thing as pennyweight brass, and it has a higher lead content than better grades, right? Is there a standard for the maximum lead content by grade of brass? If not, what are better grades that have a more pure alloy?

Thanks,

B

 

[mcguire]

Hantra
There are many, many variations of copper, brass and bronze...the family of copper based alloys. Many contain 1 to 6% lead to enhance machinabilty. Some are bearing materials which can contain even 30% lead as an anti-friction component.
Some alloys, e.g C99600, 58%Cu,40%Mn, 2%Al are for damping, that is to reduce vibration. Others make good bells. So, the alloy family is old, large, and complex.
I refer you to the ASM Metals Handbook on this one.