Contact Information
- Port Huron Mill
- 2199 Lapeer Avenue
- Port Huron, MI 48060
- ph. 800.553.3336
- ph. 810.987.7770
- fx. 810.987.9108
- Belding Mill
- 302 Ashfield Street
- Belding, MI 48809
- ph. 800.553.3336
- fx. 616.794.1214
- For inquires or more info:
- brassrod@muellerindustries.com
Lead Free
With the legislation passed in California (AB1953) and Vermont S152) serving as a catalyst for a national interest in the lead free regulations for potable water, a National Lead Free Bill was signed by President Obama in January 2011. This Senate Bill S.3874 (aka: Reduction in Lead in Drinking Water Act) that was signed will reduce the lead content in faucets, fittings and valves from 8% to no more than a weighted average of 0.25% maximum lead when used with respect to the wetted surface of pipes, plumbing fittings and fixtures or other potable water applications. This law will go into effect nationally January 1m 2014.
In conjunction with the expanding interest in lead free materials for potable water applications, Mueller Brass Company has developed EcoStream™.
EcoStream™ is a family of lead free and low lead alloys and products specifically designed to be: COMPLIANT with the national lead free legislation, COMPETITIVE with other lead free alternative alloys, and COMPATIBLE with scrap generated from brass alloys currently being used by plumbing and a variety of other industries today. Whether the need be rod and bar for machined parts or lead free forgings, Mueller Brass Company’s EcoStream™ family of products have been specifically engineered to not only comply with the new lead free legislation, but also maximize recyclability and manufacturing productivity (i.e. thread rolling, machining, plating, brazing, etc).
Lead Free and Low Lead Solutions
With the customer in mind, Mueller Brass Company has teamed its Green Drop™ C27450 Lead Free Brass Alloy with its C36500 and C37000 low lead brass options to provide a comprehensive lead free solution that not only complies with lead free legislation, but also practical options for customers to consider for their compliance strategy.
No Silicon – No Bismuth – No Segregation
One of the most important merits of Mueller Brass Company’s Green Drop™ C27450 Lead Free Brass Alloy is its ability to be COMPLETELY recycled with scrap generated with virtually all standard brass alloys inclusive of other low lead brass alternatives like C36500 and C37000. With the customers in mind, Mueller Brass Company chose to pursue a customer-centric approach and develop its Green Drop™ C27450 alloy without any additives or additions that would hinder customers’ production, add additional cost, or risk contamination of the scrap stream that integral to recyclability.
Lead Free and Low Lead Alloys
| UNS Designation | Name | Cu | Pb | Zn | Fe | Sn | T.O.E. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C27450 | No Lead Plumbing Brass | 60.0 - 65.0 | 0.25 (max) | 37.5 (nom) | 0.35 (max) | 0.50 (max) | |
| C36500 | Leaded Muntz Metal | 58.0 - 61.0 | 0.25 - 0.70 | 40.0 (nom) | 0.15 (max) | 0.25 (max) | 0.40 (max) |
| C37000 | Free Cutting Muntz Metal | 59.0 - 62.0 | 0.80 - 1.50 | 39.0 (nom) | 0.15 (max) | 0.40 (max) |
Product information on Mueller Brass Company’s Green Drop™ C27450 Lead Free Brass Alloy and its C36500 and C37000 Low Lead Alloys can be downloaded below:
CDA Lead Free Presentation
When California first initiated lead free legislation, Mueller Brass Company conducted an industry-wide seminar to discuss the effects on the industry, manufacturers and possible solutions for compliance. As part of the seminar, various speakers ranging from manufacturers to industry organizations offered their viewpoints and perspectives with regard to AB1953. As one of the participants, Robert Weed of the Copper Development Association (CDA), presented an excellent overview of the legislation, and offered insight and clarification to many questions surrounding the law. A copy of the presentation has been made available for reference and can be downloaded below:
Additional Lead Free Brass Resources
To further aid customers and manufacturers in their transition and adoption of Lead Brass Alloys, Mueller Brass Company has developed a “Machining Reference Guide” and a “Troubleshooting Guide”. These two pieces were designed as supplements to help minimize the learning curve associated with machining lead free and low lead brass alloys. Please contact Mueller Brass Company’s Customer Service for copies.