Safety & Compliance

dahl selected 5 lead-free brass alloys commonly used today, and performed the following laboratory tests designed to make the alloys fail:

Test ISO6509-1981 ( E )

Test Protocol

• 24-hour test performed by immersing samples in solution of CuCL2.2H2O and subsequently measuring dezincification depth in microns.
• Lower “Average” means better dezincification resistance

ASTM G37-98 (2012) “Mattson’s Solution Test”

Test Protocol

• 1000-hour test performed by immersing samples in test solution and subsequently inspecting for cracks
• 9 samples of each material submitted for testing. Samples consisted of 3 sub-groups
• Subgroups based on torque levels used to attach a bolt to the machined bar sample
• Torque levels were 25, 35, & 45 ft-lbs respectively
• Daily inspection of samples for the first week, then twice per week until 1000 hours of exposure time
• Once a crack detected (partial), time is noted and then test continued until crack has fully penetrated (full) through the sample wall

Stress Corrosion Cracking / Dezincification Test

Test Protocol

• Samples are machined to specific dimensions and are set up in test cells
• Stresses are induced on the samples within the cells equivalent to 28% of the material yield strength
• Samples are anodically polarized to 0.4V within the cell
• A test solution, in our case, consisted of tap water taken from a municipality known to have harsh water along with varying degrees of ammonia concentration. Ammonia concentrations of 0 ppm (parts per million), 15 ppm & 30 ppm, are introduced into the cell with the sample
• The test duration is 200 hours and measures dezincification and stress corrosion cracking on the samples for each varying degree of ammonia concentration

California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65, protects the state’s drinking water sources from being contaminated with chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm, and requires businesses to inform Californians about exposures to these chemicals. As part of the Act, the state is required to publish a list of chemicals that are “known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity”. This list now contains over 800 chemicals.

The legislation dictates that all businesses provide a “clear and reasonable warning” if one or more listed chemicals is present in products, even in trace amounts. Though materials used in all dahl products meet California federal government regulations and product standards, a warning will appear on products where the legislation applies. The warning will be in the form of a label on the product or packaging and read:

WARNING: Cancer and Reproduction Harm –
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

ADVERTENCIA: Cáncer y daño reproductivo –
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

AVERTISSEMENT: Cancer et effets néfastes sur la reproduction –
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov