Lead-Free Brass Alloy Composition for Hydraulic Pump Machinability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The industry requires a lead-free brass alloy with improved machinability, emergency operation properties, and oil compatibility, specifically suitable for producing parts of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic components, which existing lead-free brass alloys do not adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A lead-free brass alloy with a copper equivalent range of 52.0 to 58.0%, comprising 57.0 to 60.0% Cu, 1.0 to 2.0% Al, 1.5 to 2.5% Mn, 0.1 to 1.0% Fe, at most 0.5% Ni, at most 0.5% Sn, 0.5 to 2.0% Si, and less than 0.1% Pb, with specific intermetallic phase formations enhancing wear resistance and ductility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lead-free brass alloy is used, then environmental compatibility and oil compatibility are improved, but machinability and emergency operation properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil compatibilityVSAvoidmachinability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the chemical composition parameters of the brass alloy. It specifies Cu: 57.0-60.0%, Al: 1.0-2.0%, Mn: 1.5-2.5%, Fe: 0.1-1.0%, Si: 0.5-2.0%, Ni: ≤0.5%, Sn: ≤0.5%, and Pb: <0.1%. This systematic parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving both good machinability and emergency operation properties while maintaining lead-free status for environmental compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining multiple alloying elements (Cu, Al, Mn, Fe, Si, Ni, Sn) in specific proportions. This composite brass alloy formulation achieves superior properties compared to simple lead-free brass, simultaneously providing good machinability, emergency operation capability, and oil compatibility through synergistic effects of different elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lead-free brass alloy is used, then environmental compatibility is improved, but emergency operation properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency operation propertiesVSAvoidmachinability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes composition parameters to balance emergency operation properties and machinability. The specific ranges (Cu: 57.0-60.0%, Al: 1.0-2.0%, Mn: 1.5-2.5%, Fe: 0.1-1.0%, Si: 0.5-2.0%) are carefully selected to ensure the alloy maintains ductility and formability for emergency operations while achieving adequate machinability without lead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-element composite brass alloy combines the benefits of different elements: Al and Mn for strength and ductility, Fe and Si for machinability, and controlled Ni and Sn for emergency operation properties. This composite approach overcomes the limitations of simple lead-free brass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20230037406A1Lead-free brass alloy and method of using the lead-free brass alloy
Publication Date: 2023.02.09 DIEHL BRASS SOLUTIONS STIFTUNG & CO KG

AI summary

A lead-free brass alloy contains 57.0 to 60.0% wt. Cu, 1.0 to 2.0% wt. Al, 1.5 to 2.5% wt. Mn, 0.1 to 1.0% wt. Fe, at most 0.5% wt. Ni, at most 0.5% wt. Sn, 0.5 to 2.0% wt. Si, less than 0.1% wt. Pb, balance Zn and also unavoidable impurities. Wherein the copper equivalent (CuEq) is in the range from 52.0 to 58.0%.