The negative effects of lead on human health and the recycling problems of copper alloys with lead content has led to the increase in concern for reducing/eliminating the use of lead in brass and other copper alloys. Many materials are considered to replace lead in brass; silicon is one such alternative. The real challenge prevails in sustainable manufacturing of lead free brass, to maintain control of the surface integrity when substituting the lead content in the brass with silicon. The investigation includes defined areal surface parameters measured on the turned samples of lead- and lead free brass using an optical coherence scanning interferometer, CSI.This paper deals with the study of surface topography of turned samples of lead and lead free brass. It is important to study the topographical characteristics of the brass samples which are the intermediate link between the manufacturing process variables and the functional behaviour of the surface. To numerically evaluate the sample’s surface topography and to validate the measurements for a significant study, a general statistical methodology is implemented. The results suggest that the surface roughness is higher in lead brass compared to lead free brass and tool coatings have significant influence on the hybrid (Sdr & Sdq) parameters in the surface topography of brass samples.
Funding: MISTRA, The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research, as well as the Swedish Strategic Innovation Area, SIO: Produktion2030.