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

A plumbing fitting, comprising:

• a fitting body;
• and
• a fitting 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 fitting element are fabricated from a low lead or lead-free, copper-silicon or copper alloy having a thermal conductivity of ≤60 W/(m*K), and
• further wherein the weld has a heat affected zone (HAZ) that has an average width ≤10,000 μm and is spaced from the interface.

A plumbing fitting, comprising:

• a fitting body;
• and
• a fitting 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 fitting element are fabricated from a low lead or lead-free, copper-silicon or copper alloy,
• wherein the weld has a heat affected zone (HAZ) that has an average width ≤10,000 μm and is spaced from the interface, and
• further wherein the weld has a centerline that is ≤10 mm from the interface.