TECNOFOR is committed to the adoption of lead-free brass alloys. We have developed in-depth expertise in machining lead-free mechanical alloys through the use of dedicated tooling and specific manufacturing processes for these materials, which are also produced by METALLURGICA SAN MARCO, part of the Effepi holding. Tecnofor’s know-how extends to the hot forging process, which is first simulated within our engineering department. The simulation phase is crucial and yields excellent results only if the process is deeply understood, as accurate calibration of models is required to obtain reliable predictions. This expertise allows Tecnofor to avoid multiple iterations in die manufacturing and achieve the desired outcome with only minimal fine-tuning directly on the machine.
For several years now, health protection regulations have prohibited the use of substances deemed harmful to humans—among them, lead is certainly one of the most significant. This has brought about an important shift in mechanical processing, as lead has strong lubricating properties and ensures easy machinability of metals.
When working with lead-free brass alloys, we observe the following challenges:
- Chips do not break easily and are therefore larger and harder to evacuate;
- Cutting forces increase, as do friction and the heat generated during machining;
- While milling operations can be managed by adjusting cutting parameters, drilling presents greater difficulties.
As a result, more powerful machine tool motors are required, as well as the use of appropriate cutting fluids to ensure efficient heat removal.
REACH and Chemical Safety
REACH is a European Union regulation concerning the safety of chemical substances.
The acronym REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals and applies to all chemical substances.
Objectives:
Protect human health and the environment from risks related to chemical substances.
Application:
Applies to all chemicals, including those used in everyday products.
Process:
Requires registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals.
Responsibility:
Assigns responsibility for demonstrating product safety to companies placing them on the EU market.
Testing:
Does not prescribe specific tests, but requires thorough evaluation and risk management of the substances and products.
Green Brass and Its Role at Tecnofor
As part of the Effepi Group, TECNOFOR is strongly committed to transitioning toward the use of ecological, lead-free brass alloys, in compliance with the most recent health and environmental sustainability regulations. In recent years, we have developed deep expertise in processing lead-free mechanical alloys by employing dedicated tools and optimizing production processes to meet the challenges presented by these new materials.
Material sourcing also takes place through METALLURGICA SAN MARCO, another Effepi Group company, with whom we share innovation- and quality-driven strategies and goals. This integration within the holding allows us to maintain direct control over the supply chain, ensuring consistency across design, production, and final performance.
TECNOFOR’s know-how also extends to hot forging, a field in which we have extensive experience. Each project undergoes a preliminary simulation phase in our engineering department. This step is essential for achieving excellent and reliable results, as it requires detailed knowledge of the process. Only those who fully understand alloy behavior and all variables involved can properly calibrate the models and achieve accurate simulations.
Thanks to this expertise, TECNOFOR is able to significantly reduce the number of iterations required in die production, achieving near-final results from the very first stages. This translates into a faster, more efficient, and more sustainable process, with reduced machine setup time and optimized production costs directly at the machine.
Health protection regulations have long banned the use of substances deemed hazardous to humans, and lead is one of the most notable among them. This change has had a major impact on mechanical processes, given lead’s important lubricating role and its contribution to easy metal machinability.
In machining lead-free brass alloys, some technical challenges emerge:
- Chips tend not to break, making them longer and more difficult to remove;
- Cutting effort increases, along with friction and heat generation;
- Milling parameters can be adjusted to manage the process, but drilling remains more problematic.
To overcome these challenges, it’s essential to use machine tools with more powerful motors and appropriate cutting fluids that can effectively dissipate heat.
Within this context, the REACH regulation plays a central role. It governs the safe use of chemicals within the European Union.
The primary goal of REACH is to protect human health and the environment from the risks associated with chemical exposure, while promoting innovation and competitiveness within the European chemical industry.
REACH applies to all chemical substances, not just those used in industrial processes but also those found in everyday products. The regulation requires that companies—manufacturers and importers—demonstrate the safety of the substances they place on the market, marking a significant shift in responsibility compared to past approaches.
While REACH does not mandate specific tests, it calls for a thorough evaluation of chemical substances and the management of related risks. This approach encourages a gradual reduction in the use of hazardous substances and the adoption of safer, more sustainable alternatives—such as lead-free brass alloys
