Bronze.
Copper alloys.
Bearings & bushings.
Bronze — copper-based alloys with tin, aluminum, silicon, phosphorous. Excellent wear properties, corrosion resistance, low friction. Standard for bearings, bushings, marine.
Key principles.
C90300
85% Cu, 10% Sn, 5% Zn. Standard bearing bronze. Good wear.
C95400
85% Cu, 10% Al, 5% Fe. Highest strength. Marine propellers.
C65500
97% Cu, 3% Si. Excellent corrosion. Architectural, marine.
C51000
94% Cu, 5% Sn, 0.2% P. Springs, bushings. Fatigue-resistant.
C93200
83% Cu, 7% Sn, 7% Pb, 3% Zn. Self-lubricating bearings.
UTS 250-700 MPa
Wide range per alloy. Hardness 60-100 HRB typical.
FAQ
Bronze vs brass?
Both copper alloys. Bronze: copper + tin (or aluminum). Brass: copper + zinc. Bronze stronger, more wear-resistant. Brass cheaper, easier machining.
Best bearing alloy?
C90300 (tin bronze) standard. C93200 (leaded) self-lubricating. C95400 (aluminum) highest strength.
Marine applications?
Aluminum bronze C95400 — propellers, rudders. Silicon bronze C65500 — fasteners.
Galvanic compatibility?
Bronze galvanically compatible with stainless. Common pairing for marine.
Machining bronze?
Easy to machine. Free-cutting (leaded) grades fastest. Use sharp tools, high speeds.
Cost?
C90300 ~$10/kg. Aluminum bronze $15-20/kg. Premium grades $25/kg.