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Bronze Casting, Bronze Alloy Comparison- Selection Guide

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Master Reference Table: Bronze Alloys – International Standards Equivalents (Bronze Alloy Selection Guide)

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Bronze Casting Processes – Technical Overview

Bronze Casting

Bronze casting is one of humanity’s oldest metalworking techniques, dating back over 5,000 years, and remains a critical manufacturing process for producing complex metal components across numerous industries today. The process involves melting bronze alloys—primarily copper-tin combinations, though modern bronzes include aluminum, silicon, manganese, and other alloying elements—and pouring the molten metal into molds to create desired shapes upon solidification. Bronze’s excellent casting characteristics stem from its relatively low melting point (900-1050°C depending on alloy), good fluidity when molten, minimal shrinkage during solidification, and superior ability to capture fine details in mold cavities. The casting process can be adapted to produce components ranging from miniature precision parts weighing grams to massive marine propellers exceeding several tons, making it exceptionally versatile for manufacturing applications. Modern bronze casting facilities utilize sophisticated melting equipment including induction furnaces, crucible furnaces, and electric arc furnaces that provide precise temperature control and alloy composition management. Quality bronze castings require careful attention to pouring temperature, mold design, gating systems, and risering to ensure proper metal flow, minimize porosity, prevent shrinkage defects, and achieve desired mechanical properties in the finished component. Post-casting operations typically include fettling (removal of gates, risers, and flash), heat treatment for stress relief or property enhancement, machining to final dimensions, and surface finishing including grinding, polishing, or protective coating application. Industries utilizing bronze castings include marine engineering (propellers, valves, pump components), automotive (bushings, gears, bearings), plumbing and fluid handling (valve bodies, fittings, pump housings), electrical equipment (connectors, contact assemblies), architectural applications (decorative hardware, sculptures, monuments), and industrial machinery (wear plates, sliding bearings, worm gears). The choice of casting method—sand casting, investment casting, centrifugal casting, permanent mold, or shell molding—depends on factors including component size, complexity, quantity required, dimensional tolerance requirements, surface finish specifications, and economic considerations. Bronze casting continues to evolve with advances in simulation software for mold filling analysis, automated pouring systems, improved mold materials, and quality control technologies including X-ray inspection and ultrasonic testing to ensure defect-free components meeting increasingly stringent industry standards.

Bronze Sand Casting

Bronze sand casting is the most widely used and economical method for producing bronze components, particularly suitable for medium to large parts, small to medium production volumes, and applications where moderate dimensional tolerances are acceptable. The process begins with pattern making—creating a replica of the desired part typically from wood, plastic, or metal—which is then used to create a cavity impression in specially prepared molding sand consisting of silica sand bonded with clay (green sand), resin, or other binding agents. The sand mold is typically created in two halves (cope and drag) using molding boxes called flasks, with the pattern placed in the drag (lower half), sand compacted around it, the cope (upper half) positioned and filled with sand, and the pattern then removed to leave a cavity matching the desired casting shape. Gating systems including sprues (vertical channels), runners (horizontal distribution channels), and ingates (entry points to the cavity) are incorporated into the mold design to control metal flow, while risers (feeders) are added to compensate for solidification shrinkage and ensure sound castings without internal voids. Molten bronze, heated to approximately 100-150°C above its liquidus temperature to ensure adequate fluidity, is poured into the mold through the sprue, fills the cavity, and solidifies as heat is absorbed by the surrounding sand. After sufficient cooling time—ranging from minutes for small castings to hours for large components—the sand mold is broken away (shakeout), the casting removed, and sand reclaimed for reuse in subsequent molding operations. Bronze sand castings typically exhibit surface roughness of Ra 6.3 to 12.5 μm, dimensional tolerances of ±1-3mm depending on size, and may contain minor surface imperfections including sand inclusions, surface roughness, or slight dimensional variations requiring subsequent machining operations. The process is particularly economical for producing valve bodies, pump housings, marine hardware, large bushings, architectural castings, and prototype development where tooling costs must be minimized. Sand casting accommodates virtually unlimited part sizes, from small fittings weighing a few hundred grams to massive marine propellers and industrial components exceeding several thousand kilograms. Modern sand casting operations increasingly utilize mechanized molding equipment, automated pouring systems, green sand reclamation and conditioning systems, and computerized process control to improve casting quality, reduce labor costs, and minimize environmental impact while maintaining the fundamental advantages of flexibility and low tooling investment that have made sand casting the dominant method for bronze component production.

Bronze Investment Casting

Bronze investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting or precision casting, is a sophisticated manufacturing process capable of producing bronze components with exceptional dimensional accuracy, superior surface finish, and intricate details that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through other casting methods. The process begins with creation of wax patterns—either through injection molding for production quantities or hand-carving for artistic or prototype applications—which are assembled onto a wax sprue system creating a “tree” of multiple patterns for simultaneous casting. This wax assembly is repeatedly dipped into ceramic slurry (typically colloidal silica with refractory particles) and coated with stucco material, building up multiple layers to create a robust ceramic shell mold with thickness typically ranging from 6-12mm depending on casting size and requirements. After the ceramic shell has dried and achieved sufficient strength, it undergoes dewaxing in an autoclave or furnace where the wax melts and drains away, leaving a precise hollow cavity matching the original pattern geometry. The ceramic mold is then fired at 900-1100°C to burn out any residual wax, sinter the ceramic structure, and preheat the mold to appropriate temperature (typically 500-800°C) for receiving molten bronze, which minimizes thermal shock and improves metal flow into thin sections. Molten bronze is poured into the preheated ceramic mold either by gravity pouring or vacuum-assisted casting, filling the intricate cavities and solidifying with minimal shrinkage due to the preheated mold temperature and controlled cooling environment. After solidification and cooling to handling temperature, the ceramic shell is broken away through mechanical vibration, water blasting, or chemical dissolution, revealing the bronze castings which are then cut from the sprue tree and subjected to finishing operations. Investment cast bronze components typically achieve surface finish of Ra 1.6 to 3.2 μm as-cast, dimensional tolerances of ±0.13mm to ±0.25mm (depending on size), wall thicknesses as thin as 0.8-1.5mm, and can reproduce details as fine as 0.5mm with excellent definition. The process is ideal for producing complex geometries including undercuts, internal passages, thin walls, and intricate surface details in components such as pump impellers, valve trim, precision gears, turbine blades, jewelry, artistic sculptures, medical instruments, and aerospace components where dimensional precision and surface quality justify the higher tooling and processing costs compared to sand casting. Investment casting of bronze alloys requires specialized knowledge of alloy-specific shrinkage characteristics, appropriate gating design for each alloy family (phosphor bronze, aluminum bronze, silicon bronze behave differently), and careful control of pouring temperature and mold preheat to achieve defect-free castings with desired metallurgical properties and dimensional accuracy.

Aluminum Bronze Casting

Aluminum bronze casting involves the production of components from copper-aluminum alloys containing typically 8-11% aluminum plus additions of iron, nickel, and manganese, creating materials that combine bronze’s corrosion resistance with strength levels approaching those of steel while maintaining excellent wear resistance and non-magnetic properties. The casting process for aluminum bronze presents unique challenges compared to traditional tin bronzes due to the alloy’s higher melting temperature (1030-1080°C), greater reactivity with oxygen and hydrogen, higher shrinkage during solidification (approximately 2.1-2.3% volumetric shrinkage), and tendency to form harmful oxide films if not properly handled during melting and pouring operations. Melting of aluminum bronze must be conducted under protective atmospheres or with fluxing agents to prevent aluminum oxidation, typically using induction furnaces with inert gas coverage or fossil fuel furnaces with reducing atmospheres, while carefully controlling temperature to avoid excessive aluminum loss through oxidation. The molten metal requires thorough degassing to remove dissolved hydrogen which can cause porosity in the solidified casting, achieved through rotary degassing, nitrogen purging, or vacuum treatment depending on production scale and quality requirements. Pouring of aluminum bronze must be executed promptly after melting to minimize oxide formation, using bottom-pour ladles when possible, maintaining appropriate superheat (typically 50-80°C above liquidus), and designing gating systems that minimize turbulence and air entrapment while promoting directional solidification from casting extremities toward risers. Aluminum bronze castings develop their optimal properties through heat treatment processes including solution treatment at 900-950°C followed by rapid quenching, and in some alloys, subsequent tempering at 550-675°C to precipitate strengthening phases and achieve desired combinations of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Sand casting is the most common method for aluminum bronze, particularly for large components like marine propellers (some exceeding 5 meters diameter), pump housings, valve bodies, and wear-resistant industrial parts, though investment casting and centrifugal casting are also employed for appropriate applications. The superior corrosion resistance of aluminum bronze in marine environments—particularly resistance to dezincification, stress corrosion cracking, and cavitation damage—makes these castings ideal for ship propellers, pump impellers operating in seawater, offshore platform components, and subsea equipment where service life and reliability are paramount. Mechanical properties of properly cast and heat-treated aluminum bronze include tensile strengths of 550-830 MPa, yield strengths of 240-480 MPa, elongation of 12-18%, and excellent resistance to wear, galling, and metal-to-metal adhesion in bearing and sliding contact applications. Industries utilizing aluminum bronze castings include shipbuilding and marine engineering, offshore oil and gas extraction, chemical processing equipment, power generation (pump and valve components), mining equipment (wear-resistant parts), and aerospace applications where non-magnetic properties combined with high strength are required.

Bronze Centrifugal Casting

Bronze centrifugal casting is a specialized manufacturing process that utilizes centrifugal force to produce hollow cylindrical bronze components such as bushings, bearings, sleeves, pipe, and tubes with superior density, mechanical properties, and metallurgical soundness compared to static casting methods. The process involves pouring molten bronze into a rotating mold—typically made from steel, cast iron, or graphite—which is spinning at high rotational speeds (300-3000 RPM depending on diameter and wall thickness) around either a horizontal axis (for producing pipes and tubes) or vertical axis (for disc-shaped components and shorter cylinders). Centrifugal force, proportional to the square of rotational velocity and radius, drives the molten metal outward against the mold wall with forces reaching 60-100 times gravitational acceleration, creating dense, directionally solidified castings with excellent mechanical properties and minimal porosity. As the metal solidifies from the mold wall inward, impurities, oxides, and lower-density inclusions are forced toward the inner diameter where they can be removed by subsequent machining, resulting in a clean, sound outer surface with superior structural integrity compared to conventional casting methods. The rotating mold is typically preheated to 200-400°C to control solidification rate, reduce thermal shock, improve surface finish, and prevent premature freezing of the metal before complete mold filling, while external water cooling or air cooling controls the solidification rate to achieve desired grain structure and mechanical properties. True centrifugal casting produces hollow parts without cores, with the inner diameter formed naturally by the centrifugal force creating a free surface, though semi-centrifugal and centrifuging techniques utilize cores or multiple cavities for more complex geometries. Bronze alloys particularly suitable for centrifugal casting include phosphor bronze (C52100, C54400), aluminum bronze (C95400, C95500), and high-lead tin bronzes (C93700, C93800), each requiring specific process parameters regarding pouring temperature, rotation speed, and cooling rate to achieve optimal casting quality. Centrifugal bronze castings exhibit superior properties including 15-30% higher tensile strength, improved wear resistance, better pressure tightness, finer grain structure, and more uniform composition compared to sand or permanent mold castings of identical alloys. The process is highly economical for producing bearing bushings (50mm to 1500mm diameter), marine propeller sleeves, pump sleeves and liners, hydraulic cylinder tubes, continuous casting molds, and any cylindrical bronze component required in quantities justifying the specialized equipment investment. Wall thickness typically ranges from 6mm to 150mm depending on diameter, with length-to-diameter ratios up to 8:1 achievable in horizontal centrifugal casting machines, while dimensional tolerances of ±1-2mm and surface finish of Ra 3.2-6.3 μm are typical without subsequent machining.

Bronze Shell Molding / Resin Sand Casting

Bronze shell molding, also known as resin sand casting or Croning process, represents an advanced precision casting technique that combines the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of investment casting with the production efficiency and cost-effectiveness approaching that of conventional sand casting, making it particularly suitable for medium to high volume production of complex bronze components. The process utilizes fine silica sand (typically 50-140 mesh) coated with thermosetting phenolic or furan resin (5-8% by weight) which, when brought into contact with heated metal patterns (typically heated to 230-280°C for phenolic resins), undergoes rapid polymerization to form a hard, thin shell mold with thickness typically ranging from 6-15mm depending on part size and structural requirements. Pattern plates, usually made from cast iron, steel, or aluminum, are mounted on match-plate equipment or cope-and-drag pattern tooling, heated to the appropriate temperature, and inverted over a dump box containing the resin-coated sand mixture for a controlled dwell time (15-60 seconds) allowing the desired shell thickness to cure onto the pattern surface. After the specified curing time, excess uncured sand is dumped away for reuse, the pattern with adhered shell is further cured in an oven at 350-450°C for 1-3 minutes to complete polymerization and develop full strength, and then the hardened shell is ejected from the pattern using mechanical ejector pins or pneumatic systems. Multiple shell halves—cope, drag, and any required cores—are assembled and bonded together using heat-activated adhesives or mechanical clamping, creating a complete mold cavity with excellent dimensional stability, smooth internal surfaces, and precisely controlled gating and risering systems. The assembled shell mold is typically backed with steel shot, sand, or granular material in a flask to provide mechanical support during metal pouring, preventing mold distortion or breakage when subjected to metallostatic pressure and thermal expansion forces from the molten bronze. Molten bronze is poured into the shell mold at temperatures appropriate for the specific alloy (typically 1050-1150°C), filling the precise cavity and solidifying against the smooth resin-bonded sand surface, producing castings with superior surface finish (Ra 2.5-6.3 μm), improved dimensional accuracy (±0.5-1.5mm typical tolerances), thinner wall capability (minimum 2-3mm), and sharper detail reproduction compared to conventional green sand casting. Shell mold bronze castings exhibit reduced gas-related defects due to the high permeability of thin shell walls and resin binder’s ability to collapse during solidification, though careful attention must be paid to ventilation of resin decomposition gases which can cause carbon pickup or porosity if trapped within the casting. The process is economically justified for production volumes from several hundred to hundreds of thousands of parts annually, finding widespread application in automotive components (transmission parts, brake components), pump and valve internals, electrical equipment housings, plumbing fixtures, industrial machinery parts, and any bronze component requiring better dimensional control and surface finish than sand casting can provide but at lower cost than investment casting. Shell molding equipment requires significant capital investment including pattern heating equipment, sand mixing and coating systems, shell curing ovens, and specialized material handling, but delivers high production rates, minimal operator skill requirements, good process repeatability, and reduced finishing costs that offset tooling investments in medium to high volume production scenarios.

Bronze Permanent Mold Casting

Bronze permanent mold casting, also known as gravity die casting, employs reusable metal molds typically fabricated from cast iron, steel, or heat-resistant alloys to produce bronze components with superior dimensional accuracy, improved surface finish, enhanced mechanical properties, and faster production rates compared to expendable mold processes like sand casting. The permanent mold—which can cost 10-50 times more than sand casting patterns but lasts for thousands to hundreds of thousands of casting cycles—is precision-machined to final dimensions accounting for bronze alloy shrinkage (1.5-2.5% depending on composition), thermal expansion during operation, and desired final part geometry including draft angles for casting removal. Mold construction typically features two or more sections that open and close for casting insertion and removal, with precisely machined parting lines, integrated gating and risering systems, and provisions for metal or sand cores when internal features or undercuts are required that cannot be formed by the permanent mold sections alone. Prior to each casting cycle, the mold interior surfaces are coated with ceramic-based or graphite-based release agents and thermal barrier coatings that prevent bronze from welding to the mold surface, control heat transfer rate for optimized solidification, extend mold life by reducing thermal cycling damage, and improve casting surface finish and release characteristics. The mold is preheated to working temperature (typically 200-400°C depending on bronze alloy, casting size, and wall thickness) to prevent premature solidification, reduce thermal shock to the permanent mold structure, improve metal flow into thin sections, and control solidification rate for desired grain structure and mechanical properties. Molten bronze is poured into the stationary mold by gravity feed through the gating system, filling the cavity and solidifying in contact with the metal mold walls which extract heat much more rapidly than sand molds (cooling rates 5-50 times faster), producing finer grain structure, higher mechanical properties, and more uniform microstructure throughout the casting. The faster solidification rate of permanent mold casting results in finer dendritic arm spacing, reduced grain size, and improved mechanical properties including 10-20% higher tensile strength, 15-25% higher yield strength, and improved ductility compared to sand castings of identical bronze alloys. After solidification is complete (typically 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on section thickness), the mold is opened and the casting ejected using mechanical ejector pins, pneumatic systems, or gravity drop, then the cycle repeats with mold cleaning, coating application if needed, and readiness for the next pour. Permanent mold bronze castings exhibit superior surface finish (Ra 1.6-3.2 μm typical), improved dimensional accuracy (±0.3-0.8mm standard tolerances), reduced machining allowances, better pressure tightness, and more consistent properties than sand castings, making the process ideal for high-volume production of components including automotive parts (transmission housings, brake components), plumbing fixtures and fittings, electrical connector bodies, pump components, valve bodies, and industrial hardware where dimensional consistency and mechanical properties justify the higher tooling investment. Limitations of permanent mold casting include restricted complexity (no complex internal passages without cores), size limitations (typically under 50kg due to mold handling and heating constraints), higher initial tooling costs requiring production volumes of thousands of parts to justify investment, and reduced flexibility compared to sand casting where pattern changes are relatively inexpensive.

Leaded Bronze Casting

Leaded bronze casting involves the production of copper-tin-lead alloys containing 3-25% lead, which provides exceptional machinability, self-lubricating properties in bearing applications, improved fluidity during casting, and reduced galling tendency in metal-to-metal contact situations, though environmental and health concerns have led to increased regulation and gradual replacement in certain applications. The addition of lead to bronze creates a heterogeneous microstructure where lead particles remain undissolved within the copper-tin matrix due to lead’s extremely limited solubility in copper (less than 0.01% at room temperature), distributing as discrete globules or networks throughout the structure that act as internal lubricant reservoirs and chip breakers during machining operations. Casting of leaded bronzes requires careful attention to lead segregation tendencies during solidification, as lead’s higher density (11.34 g/cm³) compared to copper (8.96 g/cm³) causes gravitational separation if solidification rates are too slow, potentially resulting in lead-rich regions at casting bottoms and lead-depleted zones at tops, necessitating appropriate mold design with directional solidification and adequate cooling rates. Melting practices for leaded bronze must minimize lead loss through volatilization and oxidation by maintaining temperatures as low as practical while ensuring complete fluidity (typically 1050-1150°C depending on alloy composition), using covered crucibles or protective atmospheres, adding lead late in the melting cycle after copper and tin are fully molten, and stirring gently to distribute lead uniformly without excessive exposure to atmosphere. Common leaded bronze casting alloys include C93200 (83% Cu, 7% Sn, 7% Zn, 3% Pb) for general bearing and bushing applications, C93700 (80% Cu, 10% Sn, 10% Pb) for heavy-duty slow-speed bearings, C93800 (78% Cu, 8% Sn, 4% Zn, 10% Pb) for slow-speed high-load applications, and C94300 (70% Cu, 10% Sn, 5% Zn, 15% Pb) for maximum lead content providing extreme machinability and bearing properties at sacrifice of mechanical strength. Sand casting is the predominant method for leaded bronze due to process flexibility and accommodation of lead’s segregation tendencies through proper gating design, though centrifugal casting is also extensively used for producing high-quality bearing bushings with excellent lead distribution and density. The superior machinability of leaded bronzes—providing tool life 2-5 times longer and machining speeds 50-100% higher than unleaded equivalents—makes these alloys preferred for high-volume production of components requiring extensive machining operations such as bearings, bushings, gears, valve bodies, pump components, and plumbing fixtures where machining costs significantly impact total manufacturing expenses. Bearing applications particularly benefit from leaded bronze’s self-lubricating properties where embedded lead particles gradually exposed during wear create lubricating films at contact surfaces, reducing friction, preventing galling and seizing, accommodating marginal lubrication conditions, and extending service life in applications including engine bearings, transmission bushings, industrial machinery bearings, and marine shaft bearings. Environmental regulations including RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) in Europe and similar legislation in other jurisdictions have restricted or eliminated leaded bronze use in certain applications particularly involving drinking water contact, potable water systems, and consumer products, driving development of lead-free alternatives including bismuth bronzes, tin bronzes with optimized microstructures, and engineered polymer bearing materials as replacements. Despite environmental pressures, leaded bronzes remain extensively used in industrial applications where their unique combination of properties—superior machinability, excellent bearing characteristics, good corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness—provide performance advantages that lead-free alternatives struggle to match, ensuring continued demand particularly in heavy machinery, marine applications, and industrial equipment where lead content does not present environmental or health concerns during manufacturing and service life.


⭐ LEADED RED BRASS CASTING ALLOYS (Most Common General Purpose)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C83600 ⭐ZCuZn16Pb16RB1G-CuZn15PbDCB3CAC406CCC750SCu 85%, Sn 5%, Zn 5%, Pb 5%MOST COMMON – Valves, fittings, plumbing fixtures, pump bodies
C83800Cu 83%, Sn 4%, Zn 6%, Pb 7%Similar to C83600, higher lead content
C84400ZCuZn25Al5Mn3Fe3Pb1RB2G-CuZn25Al5DCB1CAC304CC754SCu 70%, Zn 24%, Al 3%, Fe 2%, Pb 1%Semi-red brass – gears, worm wheels
C84800Cu 76%, Zn 14%, Pb 5%, Sn 5%Pressure-tight castings

HIGH STRENGTH YELLOW BRASS CASTING ALLOYS

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C85200ZCuZn33Pb2YB1G-CuZn35CC765SCu 63%, Zn 35%, Sn 1%, Pb 1%High-strength yellow brass castings
C85400ZCuZn38Mn2Pb2YB2G-CuZn37Mn3Al2PbSiPCB1CAC302CC762SCu 57%, Zn 38%, Al 1.5%, Mn 2%, Pb 1.5%Manganese bronze – high strength gears
C85700ZCuZn40Mn1Pb1YB3G-CuZn40Mn2CAC303CC763SCu 58%, Zn 39%, Mn 1.5%, Fe 1%, Pb 0.5%High-strength structural castings
C85800Cu 57%, Zn 40%, Al 1%, Fe 1%, Pb 1%Heavy-duty structural parts

MANGANESE BRONZE CASTING ALLOYS (High Strength)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C86200G-CuZn25Al6Mn4Fe3HTB2CC764SCu 63%, Zn 25%, Al 6%, Mn 3%, Fe 3%High-tensile manganese bronze
C86300ZCuZn25Al5Mn4Fe3MB2G-CuZn25Al5Fe3Mn3HTB2CAC304CC333GCu 62%, Zn 25%, Al 6%, Fe 3%, Mn 4%Propeller hubs, heavy-duty gears
C86400Cu 60%, Zn 29%, Al 5%, Fe 3%, Mn 3%Marine hardware, structural castings
C86500ZCuZn38Al2Mn1MB3Cu 57%, Zn 38%, Al 2%, Mn 2%, Fe 1%High-strength architectural bronze
C86700Cu 58%, Zn 37%, Al 2%, Mn 2%, Ni 1%Corrosion-resistant structural castings

PHOSPHOR BRONZE ALLOYS (Wrought & Strip)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C50500QSn4-3CuSn4C5050CW450KCu 96%, Sn 4%Spring material, electrical components
C50700QSn6.5-0.4CuSn6C5071Cu 92%, Sn 8%Springs, wire cloth
C51000QSn5-0.3PB1CuSn5PB101C5191CW450KCu 95%, Sn 5%, P 0.2%Common – Electrical contacts, springs, fasteners
C51100QSn5-0.5C5111Cu 94.8%, Sn 5%, P 0.3%Heavy-duty springs, electrical parts
C51900CuSn5Zn1Cu 94%, Sn 5%, Zn 1%Electrical connectors
C52100QSn6.5-0.1PB2CuSn6PB102C5210CW451KCu 92%, Sn 8%, P 0.2%Common – Spring wire, diaphragms, belleville washers
C52180C5218Cu 91.5%, Sn 8%, Zn 0.5%Spring connectors
C52400QSn7-0.2PB3CuSn8C5212CW452KCu 90%, Sn 10%, P 0.2%Heavy springs, wire brushes, bearing plates
C52500C5240Cu 91%, Sn 9%, P 0.2%Corrosion-resistant springs

ALUMINUM BRONZE ALLOYS (Wrought)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C60800QAl5AB1CuAl5AB1C6081CW300GCu 95%, Al 5%Condenser tubes, coins, medals
C61000QAl7CuAl7CW301GCu 93%, Al 7%Condenser tubes, heat exchangers
C61300QAl8-3CuAl8Fe3C6130Cu 89%, Al 8%, Fe 3%Marine hardware, pump components
C61400QAl9-2AB2CuAl8Fe3AB2C6140CW303GCu 88%, Al 9%, Fe 3%Common – Marine propellers, valve seats, gears
C61500Cu 87%, Al 10%, Fe 3%High-strength marine components
C61800QAl9-4CuAl9Fe4CW304GCu 87%, Al 9%, Fe 4%Heavy-duty marine components
C61900Cu 87%, Al 10%, Fe 3%, Ni 1%Improved corrosion resistance
C62300QAl9-4-4-2Cu 81%, Al 9%, Fe 4%, Ni 4%, Mn 2%Aerospace bushings, gears
C62400QAl10-3-1.5CuAl10Fe3Mn2C6241CW306GCu 86%, Al 10%, Fe 3%, Mn 1.5%Heavy load bearings, worm gears
C62500QAl10-4-4CuAl10Fe5Ni5CW307GCu 81%, Al 10%, Fe 5%, Ni 4%Propellers, valve bodies
C63000QAl11-6-6CuAl11Fe6Ni6CW308GCu 77%, Al 11%, Fe 6%, Ni 6%Large propellers, marine shafting
C63200QAl10-4-4AB3CuAl10NiAB3C6320CW309GCu 82%, Al 10%, Fe 5%, Ni 3%Pump impellers, valve components
C63800Cu 74%, Al 13%, Fe 5%, Ni 8%High-strength marine applications
C64200QAl7-5CuAl7Si2CW310GCu 91%, Al 7%, Si 2%Condenser tubes with seawater

ALUMINUM BRONZE ALLOYS (Casting)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C95200ZQAl9-4NAB1G-CuAl9Fe4AB2CCAC702CC333GCu 88%, Al 9%, Fe 3%General purpose aluminum bronze castings
C95300Cu 89%, Al 10%, Fe 1%Moderate-strength castings
C95400ZQAl10-4NAB2G-CuAl10FeHTB1CAC703CC333GCu 85%, Al 11%, Fe 4%Common – Marine propellers, pump parts
C95500ZQAl10-4-4NAB3G-CuAl10Fe5Ni5HTB3CAC704CC331GCu 81%, Al 11%, Fe 4%, Ni 4%Common – High-strength marine castings
C95600Cu 86%, Al 11%, Fe 3%, Ni 1%Pump impellers, valve bodies
C95700Cu 75%, Al 13%, Fe 4%, Ni 8%Severe marine service
C95800ZQAl9-4-4-2G-CuAl9Ni6Fe3Mn2Cu 81%, Al 9%, Fe 3%, Ni 5%, Mn 2%Aerospace bushings, gears
C95900NAB4Cu 79%, Al 12%, Fe 4%, Ni 5%High-load marine applications

SILICON BRONZE ALLOYS

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C64700QSi1-3CuSi3Mn1C6470CW116CCu 96%, Si 1.5%, Mn 1.5%Heat exchanger tubes
C65100QSi3-1SB1CuSi3C6511CW117CCu 96.5%, Si 3%, Mn 0.5%Resistance welding electrodes
C65400Cu 96%, Si 3%, Zn 1%Hydraulic pressure lines
C65500QSi3-1SB2CuSi4MnSB103C6521CW118CCu 95%, Si 3%, Mn 1%Common – Marine hardware, architectural, chemical equipment
C65600Cu 97%, Si 2%, Mn 1%Pressure vessels, tanks
C65800CuSi3Zn1Cu 95%, Si 3%, Zn 1%, Mn 1%Fasteners, marine fittings
C66100Cu 94%, Si 4%, Zn 1%, Mn 1%High-strength architectural
C87500ZCuSi3Mn1SBC1G-CuSi3Mn1CC480KCu 95%, Si 4%, Mn 1%Silicon bronze castings
C87800ZCuSi4Zn4G-CuSi4Zn4MnPCC481KCu 88%, Si 4%, Zn 8%Pump impellers, valve bodies

MANGANESE BRONZE ALLOYS (Wrought)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C66100Cu 69%, Zn 29%, Fe 1%, Mn 1%High-strength castings
C66700Cu 65%, Zn 31%, Fe 2%, Mn 2%Heavy-duty gears, structural parts
C67300CuZn30Mn2AlCu 65%, Zn 30%, Mn 3%, Al 2%Propeller shafts, marine hardware
C67400Cu 61%, Zn 35%, Mn 2%, Al 2%High-strength structural applications
C67500QMn5MB1CuMn12NiMB1C6750CW109CCu 82%, Mn 13%, Ni 5%Electrical resistance alloy, springs
C67600Cu 78%, Mn 18%, Ni 4%High-strength corrosion-resistant

TIN BRONZE ALLOYS (Casting – General Purpose)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C90200ZQSn3-7-5-1Cu 88%, Sn 4%, Zn 4%, Pb 4%Low-load bearings
C90300ZQSn10-1GB1G-CuSn10CC480KCu 88%, Sn 10%, Zn 2%Common – General bearings
C90500ZQSn5-5-5GB2G-CuSn5ZnPbLG2CC491KCu 88%, Sn 5%, Zn 5%, Pb 2%Medium-duty bearings
C90700ZQSn10-5-5Cu 80%, Sn 10%, Zn 5%, Pb 5%Heavy-duty bearings
C90800Cu 86%, Sn 12%, Pb 2%High-tin bronze castings
C91000Cu 84%, Sn 14%, Pb 2%Bells, gongs, cymbals
C91100ZQSn12G-CuSn12CC482KCu 87%, Sn 11%, Pb 2%Steam fittings, ornamental
C91300Cu 85%, Sn 13%, Pb 2%High-strength structural
C91600Cu 86%, Sn 12%, Ni 2%Corrosion-resistant fittings
C92200ZQSn6-6-3GB3G-CuSn7ZnPbLB2CAC403CC493KCu 88%, Sn 6%, Zn 3%, Pb 3%Common – General purpose bearings
C92300ZQSn8-4-4Cu 84%, Sn 8%, Zn 4%, Pb 4%Pressure-tight castings
C92400Cu 87%, Sn 10%, Pb 3%Medium-duty bearings

LEADED TIN BRONZE ALLOYS (Casting – Bearings)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C92500ZQSn10-5G-CuSn10Pb5LB4Cu 87%, Sn 10%, Pb 3%Valve bodies, fittings
C92600ZQSn10-2G-CuSn10ZnCC484KCu 88%, Sn 10%, Zn 2%Bells, gears, worm wheels
C92700ZQSn10-1GB4G-CuSn10LB5CAC406CC483KCu 88%, Sn 10%, Pb 2%Common – High-quality bearings
C92800Cu 87%, Sn 11%, Pb 2%Heavy-duty bearings
C92900ZQSn11-6-6-3Cu 74%, Sn 11%, Zn 6%, Pb 6%, Ni 3%Heavy-load bearings
C93100Cu 85%, Sn 7%, Zn 5%, Pb 3%Bushings, thrust washers
C93200ZQSn7-5-1GB5G-CuSn7ZnPbLB1CAC402CC492KCu 83%, Sn 7%, Zn 7%, Pb 3%Very Common – General bearings, bushings
C93400ZQSn8-8-4Cu 80%, Sn 8%, Zn 8%, Pb 4%Moderate-speed bearings
C93500ZQSn5-5-5GB6G-CuSn5Pb9CAC401CC495KCu 85%, Sn 5%, Zn 5%, Pb 5%High-speed bearings
C93600Cu 82%, Sn 7%, Zn 6%, Pb 5%Moderate-load bearings
C93700ZQSn10-5-5GB7G-CuSn10Pb10LB3CAC403CC494KCu 80%, Sn 10%, Zn 2%, Pb 8%Common – Heavy-duty bearings
C93800ZQSn6-6-3GB8CAC407Cu 78%, Sn 8%, Zn 4%, Pb 10%Slow-speed heavy-load bearings
C93900Cu 76%, Sn 9%, Zn 5%, Pb 10%High-load applications
C94000Cu 73%, Sn 10%, Zn 5%, Pb 12%Very heavy-load slow-speed
C94100Cu 71%, Sn 10%, Zn 4%, Pb 15%Extremely heavy-load bearings
C94300ZQSn10-15G-CuSn10Pb15Cu 70%, Sn 10%, Zn 5%, Pb 15%High-lead bearings

NICKEL-TIN BRONZE ALLOYS (Casting)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C94700Cu 88%, Sn 10%, Ni 2%Corrosion-resistant castings
C94800ZQSn12-2NTB1G-CuSn12NiCu 83%, Sn 12%, Ni 5%Marine pump impellers
C94900G-CuSn10NiCu 82%, Sn 13%, Ni 5%High-corrosion resistance bearings
C95000Cu 80%, Sn 15%, Ni 5%Severe corrosion applications

COPPER-NICKEL ALLOYS

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C70400BFe5-1.5-0.5CN101CuNi5Fe1MnCN101C7060CW352HCu 93%, Ni 5%, Fe 1.5%, Mn 0.5%Condenser tubes, heat exchangers
C70600BFe10-1-1CN102CuNi10Fe1MnCN102C7060CW352HCu 88%, Ni 10%, Fe 1.5%, Mn 1%Common – Marine condenser tubes, desalination
C70620CN102SCu 87%, Ni 10%, Fe 2%, Mn 1%Seawater piping systems
C71000BFe20-1.5CN103CuNi20Fe2MnCN107C7100CW353HCu 77%, Ni 20%, Fe 2%, Mn 1%High corrosion resistance tubes
C71500BFe30-1-1CN104CuNi30Fe1MnCN108C7150CW354HCu 67%, Ni 30%, Fe 2%, Mn 1%Common – Seawater systems, ship hulls
C71640CuNi30Mn1FeCW354HCu 66%, Ni 31%, Fe 2%, Mn 1%Marine sheathing, offshore platforms
C72200Cu 83%, Ni 16%, Cr 1%High-strength electrical connectors
C72500Cu 90%, Ni 9%, Sn 1%Spring contacts, relay parts
C96200CN201G-CuNi10FeCC380HCu 87%, Ni 10%, Fe 3%Pump casings, valve bodies
C96400CN202G-CuNi30FeCC383HCu 65%, Ni 30%, Fe 4%, Mn 1%Marine pump impellers, propellers

COMMERCIAL BRONZE, RED BRASS & YELLOW BRASS (Wrought)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C21000CuZn5CZ101CW500LCu 95%, Zn 5%Gilding metal, jewelry, coins
C22000T2CB1CuZn10CZ106C2200CW501LCu 90%, Zn 10%Common – Commercial bronze, coins, bullet jackets
C22600CuZn12.5CZ107CW502LCu 87.5%, Zn 12.5%Jewelry bronze, forgings
C23000H96CB2CuZn15CZ108C2300CW503LCu 85%, Zn 15%Common – Red brass, plumbing, HVAC, radiator cores
C24000H90CuZn20C2400CW504LCu 80%, Zn 20%Low brass, weather stripping
C26000H68CB3CuZn30CZ106C2600CW505LCu 70%, Zn 30%Very Common – Cartridge brass (70/30), stampings, deep drawing
C26800H65CuZn32CZ107C2680CW506LCu 65%, Zn 35%Yellow brass, fasteners
C27000H63CB4CuZn37CZ108C2700CW508LCu 63%, Zn 37%Yellow brass, deep drawing, spinning
C27200CuZn36C2720CW507LCu 64%, Zn 36%Battery cans, shell cases
C27400H62CuZn38C2740CW509LCu 62%, Zn 38%Architectural trim, tubing
C28000H60CB5CuZn40CZ109C2800CW509LCu 60%, Zn 40%Common – Muntz metal, architectural, condenser plates

LEADED BRASS ALLOYS (Wrought – Free Machining)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C31400Cu 65%, Zn 33%, Pb 2%Leaded commercial bronze
C33000CZ120Cu 66%, Zn 32%, Pb 2%Low-leaded brass
C33500Cu 64%, Zn 34%, Pb 2%Moderate-leaded brass
C34000Cu 65%, Zn 33%, Pb 2%Medium-leaded brass
C34200Cu 64%, Zn 34%, Pb 2%High-speed machining brass
C35000Cu 62%, Zn 35.5%, Pb 2.5%Medium-leaded brass
C35300HPb62-3HLB1CuZn36Pb3C3560CW602NCu 61%, Zn 36%, Pb 3%High-leaded brass, screw machine stock
C35600HPb62-2HLB2CuZn35Pb2C3561CW600NCu 62%, Zn 35.5%, Pb 2.5%Extra-high-leaded brass
C36000HPb59-1HLB3CuZn39Pb3CZ121C3604CW614NCu 61%, Zn 35.5%, Pb 3.5%Very Common – Free-cutting brass, most machinable
C37000HPb59-2CuZn39Pb2C3710CW603NCu 60%, Zn 38%, Pb 2%Free-cutting Muntz metal
C37700HPb59-1-1C3771Cu 60%, Zn 38%, Pb 2%Forging brass
C38500HPb58-3CuZn39Pb3CZ122C3850CW617NCu 57%, Zn 40%, Pb 3%Architectural bronze, hardware

HIGH STRENGTH BRASS ALLOYS (Wrought)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C46400HSn62-1CuZn36Sn1C4640CW719RCu 60%, Zn 39%, Sn 1%Naval brass, marine hardware
C46500Cu 61%, Zn 38%, Sn 1%Naval brass propeller shafts
C46600CZ112CW720RCu 60%, Zn 39%, Sn 0.8%Naval brass sheet
C46700Cu 60%, Zn 39.25%, Sn 0.75%Naval brass rod
C48200Cu 59%, Zn 38%, Pb 2%, Sn 1%Leaded naval brass
C48500HPb60-2CuZn37Pb2C4850CW724RCu 60%, Zn 37%, Pb 2%, Sn 1%Leaded naval brass, free machining

BERYLLIUM BRONZE ALLOYS (High Strength)

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C17000QBe2BeB1CuBe2CB101C1700CW101CCu 98%, Be 1.9%, Co 0.2%Springs, electrical contacts, tools
C17200QBe2BeB2CuBe2CB101C1720CW101CCu 98%, Be 1.8-2.0%, Co+Ni 0.2%Most Common – High-performance springs, molds, tools
C17300QBe0.5CuCo1BeC1730CW103CCu 99.5%, Be 0.5%Electrical connectors, welding electrodes
C17410Cu 98.5%, Be 0.4%, Co 1.4%Electronic connectors
C17500QBe2.5CuCo2BeCW104CCu 97.5%, Co 2.4%, Be 0.5%High-conductivity springs
C17510Cu 97%, Ni 2%, Be 0.5%Electrical/electronic springs
C82000Cu 97%, Be 2%, Co 1%Beryllium bronze castings

TELLURIUM COPPER & SPECIAL ALLOYS

USA (UNS/ASTM)China (GB)India (IS)Germany (DIN)UK (BS)Japan (JIS)Europe (EN)CompositionCommon Uses
C14500CuTePC1450CW114CCu 99.5%, Te 0.5%Free-machining high-conductivity copper
C14700Cu 99%, Te 0.7%, P 0.015%Electrical connectors, terminals
C15000Cu 99.5%, Zr 0.15%Spot welding electrodes
C15100Cu 99.85%, Zr 0.15%Resistance welding electrodes
C17410Cu 98%, Be 0.4%, Co 1.6%Electronic springs, connectors
C18200CuCr1CuCr1C1820CW105CCu 99%, Cr 1%Spot welding arms, electrical contacts

NOTES & USAGE GUIDE

⭐ Most Common/Important Alloys by Category:

For Plumbing & Valves:

  • C83600 – THE standard valve/fitting alloy (85-5-5-5)
  • C93200 – Standard bearing bronze

For Springs & Electrical:

  • C51000 – Standard phosphor bronze
  • C52100 – High-performance phosphor bronze
  • C17200 – Beryllium bronze (highest strength)

For Marine Applications:

  • C61400 – Aluminum bronze (propellers, shafts)
  • C95400/C95500 – Cast aluminum bronze
  • C70600 – 90/10 copper-nickel (condenser tubes)
  • C71500 – 70/30 copper-nickel (ship hulls)

For General Machining:

  • C36000 – Free-cutting brass (most machinable)
  • C26000 – Cartridge brass 70/30 (most versatile)

For Architectural/Hardware:

  • C65500 – Silicon bronze (best corrosion resistance)
  • C38500 – Architectural bronze

IMPORTANT STANDARDS REFERENCES

Material Specifications:

  • ASTM B124 – Copper and Copper Alloy Forgings
  • ASTM B139 – Phosphor Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes
  • ASTM B150 – Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes
  • ASTM B505 – Copper Alloy Continuous Castings
  • ASTM B584 – Copper Alloy Sand Castings
  • ASTM B763 – Copper-Nickel Alloy Castings

Chinese Standards (GB):

  • GB/T 4423 – Copper and Copper Alloy Castings
  • GB/T 5231 – Copper-Zinc Alloy (Brass) Castings
  • GB/T 1527 – Copper and Copper Alloy Plate and Strip

Indian Standards (IS):

  • IS 305 – Copper Alloy Castings
  • IS 291 – Phosphor Bronze Bars
  • IS 319 – Aluminum Bronze Bars

European Standards (EN):

  • EN 1982 – Copper and Copper Alloys – Ingots and Castings
  • EN 12163 – Copper and Copper Alloys – Rod for General Purposes
  • EN 12420 – Copper and Copper Alloys – Forgings

EQUIVALENCY DISCLAIMERS

  1. Not Exact Matches: International equivalents may have slight compositional variations (typically ±0.5% for minor elements).
  2. Mechanical Properties: Heat treatment, processing, and form factor significantly affect properties. Always verify for critical applications.
  3. Regional Availability: Not all alloys are readily available in all markets. Consult local suppliers.
  4. Standards Evolution: Standards are periodically updated. Verify current designations for recent projects.
  5. Certification Requirements: For aerospace, defense, or pressure vessel applications, insist on mill test certificates (MTC) with full traceability.
  6. Lead Content: Many traditional bearing bronzes contain lead. Verify compliance with RoHS, REACH, or local environmental regulations.
  7. Material Testing: For critical applications, conduct independent verification of composition and mechanical properties.

For material selection assistance, composition verification, or custom alloy development, contact our metallurgy engineering team.


This comprehensive reference table represents decades of industry experience and cross-references multiple international standards. Users should always consult authoritative standards documents and conduct appropriate testing for critical applications.

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