Brass is an alloy primarily composed of copper and zinc. To improve its properties for specific applications, small amounts of other elements may be added.
When lead (Pb) is added to brass, it does not go into solid solution but instead forms discrete particles at the grain boundaries. These lead particles act as lubricants during machining, making the material easier to cut and shape.
Hence, lead improves machinability significantly without greatly affecting the strength or ductility of the alloy. It is commonly used in free-cutting or free-machining brass for manufacturing precision components.