A Methodology Study of the Evolution of the Secondary Brassmaking Process when Adding of Non-metallic Inclusions

Abstract: Previously most of the research focusing on non-metallic inclusions additions have focused on Fealloys. The presence of inclusions has a great effect on the material properties of Fe-alloy. Brass (Cu-Zn) is a germicidal material which has been widely used for especially drinking water applications. However, the influence of non-metallic inclusions on the material properties in brass have only been studied to a limited degree by other researchers. The secondary brass-making process is not a common process compared to the secondary steelmaking process. The process of secondary metal making (re-melting) has several purposes such as to improve the cleanliness, deoxidation, microstructure, composition etc. The secondary brass making process is performed to improve mechanical and chemical properties of brass. The present work presents a precursory methodology research on the influence of the non-metallic inclusions on liquid Cu-alloys for the brass grade (CuZn38). The vague effect of the secondary brass-making technic for CuZn38 eco-brass research is estimated based on thermodynamic considerations. During a secondary brass-making process, the effects of the primary addition of the raw Al2O3 powder formation in molten brass has been studied by using a by specific quartz tube suction technique. The present work studied influence of the addition of raw Al2O3 powder in brass based on quartz tube samples and ingot samples. The used Al2O3 inclusions and deoxidizer in brass show that a similar characterization can be found as when secondary Al2O3 inclusions are present in steel-making. The results showed that the Al2O3 particles in brass had different morphologies. Specifically, Al2O3 reacts with ZnO under the formation of ZnAl2O4