The Performance of Nonleaded Brass Materials

This project was designed to identify and prioritize key water quality characteristics and changes that might adversely impact the performance and leaching of nonleaded brasses in drinking water distribution systems over typical component lifetimes. To achieve these objectives, different standardized short-term and long-term test methods were used and the findings from both methods were compared. By summarizing all test results, a comprehensive approach for determining the performance characteristics of nonleaded brass materials is presented. Research partner: TZW. Published in 2014.

At the time dezincification resistance potential testing was conducted for this project, the research team was not aware that the composition of the sample provided for “Material 1” was outside the UNS specifications for the C69300 ECOBRASS alloy it was intended to represent. As such, the results and conclusions published in the report for “Material 1” should not be construed as reflective of a C69300 ECOBRASS alloy as marketed and sold in North America and produced within UNS specifications.

Test Material #1 has been referenced as representing alloy C69300 and the trade names of ECO BRASS/Cuphin. However, Test Material #1 was significantly below the chemical specifications for the element phosphorous in C69300. Phosphorus is the important element allowing the alloy to resist long-term dezincification. The conclusions provided in this report do not represent long-term dezincification results for C69300 or ECO BRASS/Cuphin. Reference Table 3.4, Material 1 alloy composition for Phosphorous, listed as 0.027%, Specification range is 0.05-0.20%.

For additional information about the evaluations of non leaded copper-based alloys, please refer to the UCLA Study of Comparable Non Leaded Copper Alloys for Potable Water Applications.

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