What brass alloy is best suited for potable water valve bodies?
What Brass Alloy Is Best Suited for Potable Water Valve Bodies?
Requirements for Brass Valve Bodies in Potable Water Systems
Valve bodies used in potable water systems must meet stringent requirements for corrosion resistance, dezincification resistance (DZR), lead content, and mechanical durability. The ideal brass alloy must also be compliant with international standards such as NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372, and EN 1982 to ensure safety and performance in contact with drinking water.
Neway Die Casting recommends C87850 silicon brass as the most suitable alloy for potable water valve bodies, followed by C69300 ECO Brass and C84400 semi-red brass for specific use cases.
Top Brass Alloys for Potable Water Valve Bodies
C87850 – Silicon Brass
Lead content: ≤0.25% (NSF 372 compliant)
Corrosion resistance: Excellent in chlorinated and high-humidity environments
Dezincification resistance: High (meets ISO 6509)
Applications: Residential valves, pressure regulators, shut-off valves
Compliance: NSF/ANSI 61 & 372, RoHS
C69300 – ECO Brass
Lead content: Lead-free
Tensile strength: ~480 MPa
Dezincification resistance: Excellent, suitable for aggressive water chemistries
Applications: Ball valve bodies, fittings, backflow preventers
Compliance: NSF/ANSI 61, UL 1953, CRN, and EU standards
C84400 – Semi-Red Brass
Lead content: Up to 4–6%
Corrosion resistance: Good, but not lead-free
Applications: General-purpose valves in non-potable systems or where lead-free is not required
Compliance: ASTM B584, often not NSF 372 compliant
Comparison of Brass Alloys for Potable Water Use
Alloy | Lead Content | DZR Rating | Standards Compliance | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
C87850 | ≤0.25% | Excellent | NSF/ANSI 61, 372 | Potable water valves and regulators |
C69300 | 0% (lead-free) | Excellent | NSF/ANSI 61, RoHS | Valve bodies, fittings |
C84400 | 4–6% | Moderate | ASTM B584 (non-lead-free) | HVAC valves, non-potable plumbing |
Customer-Oriented Brass Casting for Valve Applications
Neway Die Casting offers complete solutions for potable water valve production:
Brass Die Casting Services: Precision-cast valve bodies using certified alloys like C87850 and C69300
Post-Machining Services: Tight-tolerance ports, threads, and sealing faces for valve seats
Engineering Consultation: Material selection and design support for NSF/ANSI compliance
