Abstract: This article systematically reviews the research backgrounds and trends of lead free and easy-to-be-cut bismuth -brass. The microstructure and comprehensive performance of brass alloy affected by lead and its alternative element bismuth is compared. Some hot research areas, including composition optimization of bismuth brass alloy, diffusion and segregation of Bi in Cu grain boundaries, corrosion resistance improvement of bismuthbrass. Some suggestions are put forward on the research prospect of bismuth brass.