Effect of Metastable Compounds on the Susceptibility to Cracking of Multicomponent Brasses

Abstract—The causes of the technological brittleness of multicomponent copper–zinc alloys are investigated using complex LMtsAZhN brass (Zn–Cu–Mn–Al–Fe–Si–Ni) as an example. The relation of cracking of brasses to silicide-forming elements and lead is shown. The distribution and morphology of lead precipitates in destroyed blanks have been studied. The formation of metastable precipitates is shown to be caused by the redistribution of copper, aluminum, silicon, and phosphorus. The stoichiometry of silicides of various morphologies in the industrial batches of brass blanks is determined. The conditions for eliminating the technological brittleness of complex copper–zinc alloys are formulated.