Evaluation of Changes in the Structure of Brasses.

In alpha plus beta prime two-component Cu-Zn brasses and in brasses with a lead additive a number of transformations occur during heating to the hot-working temperature or heat-treatment temperature or during cooling from these temperatures. These transformations include an omega reversible reaction beta prime transformation related to phase decomposition at a temperature of about 300 degree C, a beta prime reversible reaction beta order-disorder transformation occurring at a temperature of about 450 degree C, and an alpha reversible reaction beta transformation occurring in the temperature range of about 500-672 degree C in Cu-Zn brass and in the range of about 500-727 degree C in brass with a lead additive. All of these transformations which occur during heating to the hot-working temperature or heat-treatment temperature are reversible during cooling.