High Temperature Properties of Bi‐Containing Copper Alloys for Plumbing Applications

In response to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead restriction in potable water, new plumbing alloys containing bismuth have been introduced. One such promising alloy is C89836 containing 2% Bi. The high temperature mechanical properties and machinability of the alloy have been evaluated against the ASME boiler code requirements and compared with those of EnviroBrass II and the commonly used lead‐containing alloy C83600. In addition, the effect of antimony on the ambient and high temperature mechanical properties of Bi‐containing copper alloys have been determined.