Wieland introduces lead-free family of machining brasses

Germany-based Wieland Group has introduced lead-free brasses with its new SZ product family, specifically the Eco SZ3 alloy, which is an alternative to CW614N and CW617N alloys. As part of the Ecoline family, it features high efficiency and an unprecedented level of machining and forming, according to the company, outperforming previous lead-free alloys.

Stricter regulatory requirements and rising demand for green products prompted the company to develop new lead-free copper alloys that retained the properties of the leaded variants.

"Customers from all over the world are already benefiting from our intensive research and development in the field of lead-free alloys and the extensive expertise of our team," Wieland Group CEO Erwin Mayr says. "We actively support our customers in their sustainable transition from lead to lead-free alloys."

The new flagship product, Eco SZ3, meets all the current requirements of leaded materials CuZn40Pb2 and CuZn39Pb3, such as conductivity, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, Wieland says, adding that it has excellent hot stamping properties and good machinability though it contains less than 0.1 percent lead. These properties make the material attractive for use plumbing, electrical and automotive applications.

High economic efficiency and recyclability

In addition to its machining properties, Eco SZ3’s copper-zinc ratio of 60/40 ensures a reduced metal price component and high economic efficiency.

Eco SZ3 is part of the CuZnSiP alloy family. Because it contains the same alloying elements, a slight mixing of chips and scrap within the alloy family remains possible. Moreover, the machine does not require cleaning when changing alloys. As with their lead-containing counterparts, chips and scrap can be reworked into new rods without losing quality or recyclability, Wieland says, making the Eco SZ3 economical and eco-friendly.

"The new SZ product family, especially Eco SZ3, revolutionizes our entire lead-free Ecoline portfolio—especially in terms of machining performance, efficiency and sustainability," says Anton Zierhut, president of Wieland Group’s Extruded Products. "We look forward to accompanying our customers into a lead-free future with these environmentally friendly products.”