Weldable, low lead and lead-free plumbing fittings and methods of making the same
A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is ≤6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width ≤400 μm and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.
1. A plumbing fitting, comprising:
a stem;
a valve body for receiving a stem and a valve, the body having a plurality of ends; and
a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium,
wherein the body and the cover element are fabricated from a low lead or lead-free, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤45 W/(m*K), and
further wherein the weld has a centerline that is ≤6.4 mm from the interface.
2. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the weld has a centerline that is ≤2.5 mm from the interface.
3. The fitting according to claim 2 , wherein the weld further comprises a heat affected zone that has an average width ≤600 μm and is spaced from the interface.
4. The fitting according to claim 3 , wherein the body and the cover element are fabricated from a low lead or lead-free, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤30 W/(m*K).
5. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the cover element comprises a cover element flange and the flange comprises the interface.
6. The fitting according to claim 1 ; wherein the cover element is an end cover and the body is a ball valve body, the end cover joined to the body at an end.
7. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the cover element is a gate valve bonnet and the valve body is a gate valve body.
8. A plumbing fitting, comprising:
a stem;
a valve body for receiving a stem and a valve, the body having a plurality of ends; and
a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium,
wherein the body and the cover element are fabricated from a low lead or lead-free, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤45 W/(m*K),
wherein the weld has a heat affected zone that has an average width ≤400 μm and is spaced from the interface, and
further wherein the weld further comprises a centerline that is ≤6.4 mm from the interface.
9. The fitting according to claim 8 , wherein the weld further comprises a centerline that is ≤2.5 mm from the interface.
10. A plumbing fitting, comprising:
a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and
a cover element or an end element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium,
wherein the body, and the cover element or the end element, are fabricated from a low lead or lead-free, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤45 W/(m*K),
wherein the weld has a heat affected zone that has an average width ≤400 μm and is spaced from the interface, and
further wherein the weld further comprises a centerline that is ≤6.4 mm from the interface.
11. The fitting according to claim 10 , wherein the weld further comprises a centerline that is ≤2.5 mm from the interface.
12. The fitting according to claim 10 , wherein the cover element comprises a cover element flange and the flange comprises the interface.
13. A method of making a plumbing fitting, comprising the steps:
inserting a valve into a valve body;
inserting a stem into the valve and the valve body;
arranging a cover element in close proximity to the valve body to define an interface, the interface being in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium; and
welding the cover element to the valve body, the welding conducted to form a weld located in proximity to and spaced from the interface, the weld further comprising a centerline that is ≤6.4 mm from the interface,
wherein the body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤45 W/(m*K).
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the weld further comprises a heat affected zone that has an average width ≤600 μm and is spaced from the interface.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the weld further comprises a heat affected zone that has an average width ≤400 μm and is spaced from the interface.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤30 W/(m*K).
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the cover element comprises a cover element flange and the flange comprises the interface.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the cover element and valve body are collectively configured such that the weld is located in proximity to the interface and the centerline is ≤2.5 mm from the interface.