Special Copper Alloys
High-performance copper alloys including beryllium copper, copper nickel alloy, zirconium copper and other specialty copper materials.
High Strength Corrosion Resistant Copper Alloy
Aluminum bronze offers superior mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and wear performance, making it an ideal copper alloy material for demanding industrial applications.
Aluminum bronze is a group of copper-based alloys in which aluminum is the main alloying element, usually combined with iron, nickel, manganese and other elements to improve strength, corrosion resistance and wear performance.
Compared with traditional copper alloys such as brass and tin bronze, aluminum bronze provides higher mechanical strength, better resistance to seawater corrosion and excellent resistance to abrasion under heavy-duty working conditions.
Due to its outstanding combination of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance, aluminum bronze is widely used in marine equipment, chemical processing equipment, pumps, valves, bearings, heat exchangers and engineering components.
Aluminum bronze grades vary according to application requirements. Typical aluminum bronze alloys contain aluminum as the primary strengthening element with additional alloying elements to improve performance.
| Element | Typical Content (%) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | 5 - 12 | Main strengthening element, improves hardness and corrosion resistance |
| Iron (Fe) | 0 - 5 | Improves strength and wear resistance |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0 - 6 | Improves corrosion resistance and toughness |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0 - 3 | Enhances mechanical properties |
| Copper (Cu) | Balance | Provides conductivity and corrosion resistance |
The mechanical properties of aluminum bronze depend on alloy grade, heat treatment condition and product form. Typical values are shown below.
| Property | Typical Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 600 - 900 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 250 - 550 | MPa |
| Elongation | 10 - 25 | % |
| Hardness | 150 - 250 | HB |
| Density | 7.5 - 8.0 | g/cm³ |
Different aluminum bronze grades are selected according to strength requirements, corrosion conditions and application environments.
| Region / System | Standard Codes |
|---|---|
| China National (GB/T) | GB/T 5231-2012, GB/T 4423-2007, GB/T 1527-2006, GB/T 2040-2002 |
| China Industry (YS/T) | YS/T 584-2006, YS/T 649-2007, YS/T 662-2007 |
| USA (ASTM) | ASTM Series (e.g., B148, B150 for Aluminum Bronze) |
| Europe (DIN) | DIN Series |
Compliant with national, regional, and industry standards for quality assurance.
Aluminum bronze can be supplied in various product forms according to different industrial requirements. Sunny Steel provides aluminum bronze materials in customized dimensions and conditions for engineering applications.
| Product Form | Typical Size Range | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Bronze Plate | Thickness 3 - 200 mm | Marine structures, wear plates, engineering components |
| Aluminum Bronze Bar | Diameter 10 - 500 mm | Shafts, bushings, gears and machining parts |
| Aluminum Bronze Tube | Customized OD and thickness | Heat exchangers, condensers and corrosion resistant systems |
| Aluminum Bronze Forging | According to drawings | High-load mechanical components |
| Aluminum Bronze Casting | Customized | Valves, pumps, marine components |
Aluminum bronze products require precise alloy control and processing technology to achieve stable mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
One of the most important advantages of aluminum bronze is its outstanding resistance to corrosion. The aluminum oxide protective film formed on the alloy surface provides excellent protection in aggressive environments.
Aluminum bronze combines high hardness with excellent toughness, making it suitable for components exposed to friction, impact and sliding conditions.
| Material | Wear Performance | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Copper | Low wear resistance | Electrical applications |
| Brass | Medium wear resistance | General mechanical parts |
| Tin Bronze | Good wear resistance | Bearing applications |
| Aluminum Bronze | Excellent wear resistance | Heavy-duty bearings, pumps, valves |
Comparison of common Chinese (GB) and equivalent US (ASTM) aluminium bronze grades, with principal alloying elements expressed as wt.%. Copper (Cu) is the balance.
| China Grade (GB) |
US Equivalent (ASTM) |
Nominal Composition (wt.%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al | Fe | Ni | Mn | ||
| QAl9-2 | — | 8.0–10.0 | — | — | 1.5–2.5 |
| QAl9-4 | C62300 | 8.0–10.0 | 2.0–4.0 | — | — |
| QAl10-3-1.5 | C61600 | 8.5–10.0 | 2.0–4.0 | — | 1.0–2.0 |
| QAl10-4-4 | C63000 | 9.5–11.0 | 3.5–5.5 | 3.5–5.5 | — |
| QAl11-6-6 | C63200 | 10.0–12.0 | 5.0–7.0 | 5.0–7.0 | — |
| Note: Cu = balance. "—" indicates not specified or not applicable. Composition ranges are indicative; refer to the applicable standard for exact limits. | |||||
Engineering Note: Higher Al + Ni + Fe content generally increases strength and seawater corrosion resistance. C63000 / QAl10-4-4 and C63200 / QAl11-6-6 are preferred for marine propeller shafts, pump housings and high-load bearing applications.
| Material | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Wear Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Copper | Low | Good | Low |
| Brass | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Tin Bronze | Good | Good | Good |
| Aluminum Bronze | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Aluminum bronze provides excellent comprehensive properties for applications requiring long service life and stable performance in harsh environments.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | Approx. 8.9 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | Approx. 1080–1085°C |
| Electrical Conductivity | High conductivity copper alloy |
| Thermal Conductivity | Excellent |
| Hardness | Higher than pure copper |