Weldable, low lead and lead-free plumbing fittings and methods of making the same

摘要

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.