Lead-free brass is a type of brass alloy that does not contain lead, or contains it in very minimal amounts, typically less than 0.25% by weight. Lead-free brass is primarily composed of copper and zinc, similar to traditional brass. However, in place of lead, other elements such as silicon, bismuth, or phosphorus are often used to achieve the desired properties, such as machinability and corrosion resistance. The specific composition can vary, but a common formulation might include:
- Copper (Cu): 60-70%
- Zinc (Zn): 30-40%
- Silicon (Si), Bismuth (Bi), or Phosphorus (P): small amounts to improve machinability and performance
This material is engineered to meet regulatory requirements for lead content, particularly in applications involving drinking water systems and other environments where human exposure to lead is a concern. Examples include plumbing components such as pipes, fittings, and valves; drinking water fixtures and faucets, and food and beverage processing equipment. Municipal water lines, however, are a key focus right now in the industry.
Upcoming 2024 Compliance
Our sister blog, Identifying Threats, recently published an article regarding the upcoming 2024 compliance date and the Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) related to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its amendments (1986 and 2011). These landmark changes prohibit lead use in plumbing. However, many cities still rely on aging infrastructure containing lead pipes and fixtures. But that reliance will have to come to an end.
Lead was historically used in pipes due to its high malleability and ductility, allowing it to be easily shaped and bent for flexible installation, its relative resistance to corrosion compared to iron and steel, and the ease with which it could be joined using simple soldering techniques. Additionally, lead was abundant and inexpensive, making it an economically viable choice for plumbing infrastructure. The use of lead in plumbing dates to ancient civilizations like the Romans, whose extensive use of lead pipes influenced their continued use well into the 20th century.
Despite these advantages, the use of lead in pipes has significant health risks. Lead is a toxic metal that can leach into drinking water, leading to serious health issues such as lead poisoning. This is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women, as it can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and other severe health problems.
In response to these health hazards, as of October 2024, all U.S. water systems must submit a comprehensive inventory of lead service lines, which must be updated every 1-3 years, depending on the frequency of water quality testing. Water utilities and municipalities face steep consequences for failing to meet this deadline, including potential fines and reputational damage. More importantly, missed deadlines could expose communities to ongoing public health risks.
What does this mean for foundries and metal fabricators? As cities and municipalities work to replace lead service lines, lead-free brass is emerging as a key material for compliance. Lead-free brass is a safer alternative for plumbing components and is designed to meet strict SDWA guidelines, therefore foundries and fabricators will want to ensure their finished products meet the guidelines and specifications.
How manufacturers can help ensure their products meet regulations
As of September 2023, manufacturers must certify their products comply with NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 standards for lead-free brass. This certification can be achieved through self-certification or third-party auditing. This accountability helps ensure that all lead-free brass plumbing components meet the stringent lead content regulations.
Maintaining strict quality control is essential in the production of any metal or alloy, including lead-free brass. The verification of metal alloys for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) has never been more important for the public safety. From metal production through final product assembly, the potential for material mix-ups is real. With all types of manufacturing operations facing increasingly stringent safety regulations, today’s best practices include testing 100% of critical materials. You need to confidently prevent incorrect material from entering the value stream, while protecting the reputation of your business. It is no longer feasible to rely on mill test reports (MTRs) for elemental data. Validate incoming goods by deploying a “trust but verify” program, especially with so much recycled metals on the market.
Utilizing XRF technology
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy helps in verifying metal alloys for manufacturing quality assurance. It is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. XRF analyzers work by measuring the fluorescent (or secondary) X-rays emitted from a sample when excited by a primary X-ray source. Each of the elements present in a sample produces a set of characteristic fluorescent X-rays, or unique “fingerprints.” These fingerprints are distinct for each element, making XRF analysis an excellent tool for quantitative and qualitative measurements. XRF analyzers can be used for verification of metals and alloys on the shop floor, non-destructive field inspections for material ID, coating and thickness measurements, and helping to ensure finished products are made to customer specifications.
Handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers can perform material inspection directly on the manufacturing line, thereby avoiding wasting days or weeks from sending goods to an external testing lab, which also helps to reduce production overheads.
Summary
NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 is a vital standard for ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water by limiting the lead content in plumbing materials and products. Compliance with this standard helps protect public health by minimizing the risk of lead contamination in drinking water systems. But before the water flows through the pipeline, the pipes have to be manufactured.
Products and materials that claim compliance with NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 must undergo rigorous testing and certification processes. These processes typically involve a detailed analysis of the lead content in the materials used, an examination of the manufacturing processes to ensure consistent compliance, and third-party testing and verification by accredited laboratories to confirm that the products meet the lead content requirements.
Using handheld XRF analyzers is an important component in the quality assurance process to help ensure your end products are in compliance and don’t make vulnerable populations ill.
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