TPi March 2014

products & developments

Lead-free cast solder fittings and flanges

threaded brass nipples. Brass clean out plugs (leaded) and cast solder DWV fittings (leaded) are also available.

fittings and flanges with 745 line items.

According to Lee Brass, USA, some tradesmen experience difficulties in making a leak-proof joint with some of the lead-free alloy cast solder fittings and flanges. With the company’s Lee Free, operators can use the standard ASTM B 828-02 “Standard Practice for Making Joints by Soldering of Copper to Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings”. Competitive products may require soldering techniques beyond acceptable industry practices. Extensive research shows that Lee Free parts are “immune (not resistant) to dezincification.” According to independent research, any part that contains more than 85 per cent copper and less than 15 per cent zinc can be classified as immune to dezincification. Lee Free parts fall within those parameters. Lee Brass has made a multi-million dollar investment in capital improvements, including a new sand system and an additional automated moulding centre. “This expanded workforce at Lee Brass is the result of ever-increasing demand for our lead-free Lee Free product line,” said VP Phil Stephens. The new federal water safety regulation, known in the industry as NSF61, requires less than 5 parts per billion for lead leaching for the “Health Effects of Safe Drinking Water”. It also addresses the ‘lead content’ of potable water delivery system products as having a weighted lead content average of not more than 0.25 per cent. Lee Free, NSF 61 certified and manufactured in the USA, contains anti-microbial properties that may kill bacteria naturally. The workforce has also increased by over 25 per cent.

The Lee Free package includes cast solder fittings, flanges and unions; domestic threaded fittings, flanges and unions; and NSF 61 certified imported

lee brass – USA info@leebrass.com www.leefreeinfo.com

It offers an extensive lead-free package of cast solder and threaded brass

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March 2014 Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal