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China Factory Bronze CNC Machining Service - Reliable Suppliers for High Precision Industrial Components
Bronze generally refers to a group of copper‑based alloys, mainly alloyed with tin, aluminum, silicon, manganese, and other elements. Compared with brass (copper‑zinc alloys), bronze typically features higher strength, a lower friction coefficient, and better chemical corrosion resistance—especially in seawater environments. Thanks to its excellent wear resistance and self‑lubricating properties, it plays an irreplaceable role in bearings and bushings. Our machining centers are well‑equipped to process various bronze materials, supporting high‑quality production from complex prototypes to small‑batch manufacturing.
1. C93200 / SAE 660 — High-Leaded Tin Bronze (Bearing Bronze)
- ★ Characteristics: This is the most commonly used bearing bronze grade. Lead is added to form soft particles in the alloy structure, delivering exceptional self-lubrication and anti-galling performance. This makes it particularly suitable for applications with insufficient lubrication, or under high-load and low-speed operating conditions. It features good machinability and reliable wear resistance.
- ✔ Typical Applications: Suitable for general‑purpose bearings, bushings, thrust washers, pump components, and low‑load gears across various industrial applications.
| Property | Value | Notes |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 240 – 330 | Good overall strength |
| Yield Strength (0.5% Extension, MPa) | 124 | |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 18 | Good ductility |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 65 | |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.93 | |
| Key Composition | Cu-83%, Sn-7%, Pb-7%, Zn-3% | High lead content provides self-lubrication |
* Values are typical ranges, specific to casting and processing conditions.
2. C95400 — Aluminum Bronze
- ★ Characteristics: This is a high‑strength, high‑hardness aluminum bronze. It boasts some of the best corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and fatigue strength among all bronze alloys, with performance comparable to many steel materials. It maintains its strength at elevated temperatures and delivers excellent resistance to impact and cavitation.
- ✔ Typical Applications: Ideal for heavy-duty bearings, gears, valve seats, pump housings, marine propellers and seawater-resistant components, as well as various parts used in chemical processing equipment.
| Property | Value | Notes |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 620 – 760 | Very high strength, comparable to low-alloy steels |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa) | 275 | |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 12 – 18 | |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 170 – 210 | High hardness, very wear-resistant |
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.45 | Lighter than tin bronze |
| Key Composition | Cu-85%, Al-11%, Fe-4% | Tin-free, uses aluminum and iron as main alloying elements |
* Values are typical ranges, specific to heat treatment condition.
3. C54400 — Phosphor Bronze
- ★ Characteristics: This is a tin bronze with a small addition of phosphorus. Phosphorus enhances the alloy's elastic limit, fatigue strength, and wear resistance. The material exhibits excellent spring characteristics, good wear and corrosion resistance, and can be readily machined into precision components.
- ✔ Typical Applications: Perfect for electrical connectors, springs, diaphragms, bellows, wear plates, and high-precision gears across multiple industrial applications.
| Property | Value | Notes |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 520 – 690 | High strength, especially suitable for elastic elements |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa) | 380 – 550 | High yield strength |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 10 – 15 | |
| Hardness (Rockwell B) | 78 – 90 | |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.8 | |
| Key Composition | Cu-88%, Sn-4%, Zn-4%, P-0.2–0.5% | Phosphorus acts as a deoxidizer and enhances properties |
* Values are typical ranges, specific to the degree of cold work.
4. C65500 — High-Silicon Bronze
- ★ Characteristics: This bronze features exceptional corrosion resistance, especially in sulfuric acid and sulfate environments. It combines high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability, making it widely applied in the chemical and marine industries.
- ✔ Typical Applications: Ideal for components in chemical processing equipment, heat exchanger tube sheets, marine hardware and fittings, pump and valve parts, fasteners, as well as welded structural parts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q
What is the difference between bronze and brass?
Bronze is a copper-based alloy primarily alloyed with tin, aluminum, silicon, or manganese, while brass is a copper-zinc alloy. Compared to brass, bronze generally offers higher strength, a lower friction coefficient, better wear resistance, and superior corrosion resistance—especially in seawater and harsh chemical environments.
Q
Which bronze grade is best for bearing and bushing applications?
C93200 (SAE 660 / High-Leaded Tin Bronze) is the most widely used grade for bearings and bushings. Its high lead content creates soft particles within the alloy structure, providing excellent self-lubrication and anti-galling performance—making it ideal for high-load, low-speed, or poorly lubricated conditions.
Q
Is aluminum bronze suitable for marine environments?
Yes. C95400 Aluminum Bronze offers outstanding corrosion resistance in seawater and marine environments. Its high strength, hardness, and excellent resistance to cavitation and impact make it a preferred material for marine propellers, pump housings, and seawater-resistant components.
Q
What makes phosphor bronze suitable for electrical connectors and springs?
C54400 Phosphor Bronze contains a small addition of phosphorus, which significantly enhances the alloy's elastic limit, fatigue strength, and wear resistance. These properties—combined with good electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance—make it ideal for springs, electrical connectors, diaphragms, and precision elastic components.
Q
Can C65500 High-Silicon Bronze be welded?
Yes. C65500 High-Silicon Bronze is well known for its excellent weldability and formability, in addition to its exceptional corrosion resistance—particularly in sulfuric acid and sulfate environments. It is commonly used for welded structural parts, heat exchanger tube sheets, and chemical processing equipment components.
Q
Can you machine custom bronze parts from prototypes to small-batch production?
Absolutely. Our machining centers are fully equipped to process all the bronze grades listed above—C93200, C95400, C54400, C65500, and more. We support the complete production range from complex one-off prototypes to small and medium batch manufacturing, ensuring high dimensional accuracy and surface quality throughout.
Finishes and Post-Processing Options
The zinc alloy substrate is highly suitable for various surface treatments to enhance decoration, protection, or functionality:
Electroplating: Such as chrome, nickel, gold, or silver plating, providing a highly decorative appearance, excellent wear and corrosion resistance. This is the most common choice.
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Passivation or Chromate Conversion Coating:
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Powder Coating:
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Painting:
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Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD):
Design and Machining Considerations
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Process Selection:
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Design Considerations:
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Material Selection:
Zamak 3 and 5 are suitable for the vast majority of general-purpose parts requiring good appearance and strength; ZA-8 is better for wear and bearing applications; for making rapid tooling, choose specialized alloys like Kirksite.
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