Lead Free, Anti-dezincification Brass Alloy Obtained UNS No. C89710
MIRDC Explores the New Blue Ocean of Plumbing Industry with Industry
Brass, an essential industrial material, is widely used in bathroom faucets. With support from the technology development program of the Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) developed and established the “lead free, anti-dezincification brass” technology to link up with the world. The technology recently obtained the UNS material number C89710, indicating its quality has gained international recognition. This shall assist Taiwan’s plumbing industry secure its place in the international market supply chain, improve competitiveness and explore the new blue ocean of the plumbing industry.
The lead free, anti-dezincification brass is alloyed with non-toxic substitutes for lead in conventional leaded brass, giving it free-cutting and dezincification resisting properties. Not only does such innovation satisfy industrial needs, it is also eco-friendly. A UNS material number received by MIRDC for its lead free, anti-dezincification brass indicates to reduce research development costs for the industry. In addition, using lead free anti-dezincification brass in plumbing products allows longer life for the cutters of the turning process for machine tool and decreases the use of cutting lubricants. Moreover, differentiated technology can be created to improve the added value of the products and facilitate export of local plumbing products. The MIRDC will further invite the other manufacturers in the mass production of materials to increase the overall technical capability of the industry.
Dr. Chia-min Wei, vice president of MIRDC indicates that the lead free, anti-dezincification brass is a mainstream eco-friendly material for the industry. Conventional machine parts are manufactured with small traces of lead to enhance its free-cutting properties. However, application of leaded brass in plumbing components or products, such as faucets for drinking water supply system, brings forth the risks of damage in the central nervous system and causing dementia if the lead leaches into the water and is thus absorbed by human body. As leaded brass is banned in North America and in the EU, MIRDC entered the cooperation with Chung Cheng Faucet Co., Ltd. and the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology in government-funded, academy-industry collaborative research and development. The UNS C89710 lead free brass complies with all laws and regulations including high-standard USA NSF61.9, NSF372 certification, USA S3874 standard, and EU RoHS. In addition to the plumbing industry, R&D achievement can also be applied to export-oriented industries such as electric engineering, information and communication and opto-electronics.
MIRDC assists local companies in need of materials grasp critical technology. The development of the lead free, anti-dezincification brass will not only enhance the overall quality and value of the industrial chain, but also substantially improve production efficiency, lower manufacturing costs, and promote the high quality of Taiwan’s plumbing products worldwide.