Characterization of the Microstructural Aspects of Machinable a-b Phase Brass

Free-machining a-b brasses are widely used as raw materials for the fabrication of components used in a broad spectrum of technological applications. Their exceptional free-cutting properties are attributed to various microstructural features of the material, such as Pb-particle and a-b phase distribution characteristics. The major microstructural characteristics of leaded a-b brass (CW614N-Cu58Zn39Pb3) rods have been studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Critical parameters such as particle population density and specific interphase boundary lengths are discussed with respect to the resultant machinability performance.