Aluminum Bronze
Copper-Aluminum Alloys
Aluminum Bronze Alloys
Chill mold cast parts made from copper aluminum alloys are wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and resist embrittlement.
Copper aluminum alloys, better known in the industry as aluminum bronze alloys, are the choice alloys for designers when replacing steel weld fabrications with a one-piece PIAD chill casting.
Copper aluminum alloys with iron, nickel and manganese additions have mechanical properties which exceed the mechanical properties of carbon steel and medium alloyed steel. Besides these excellent mechanical properties, PIAD chill cast aluminum bronzes exhibit many additional physical properties which provide excellent choices for design engineers. These alloys can be used in many different industrial environments.
Listed below are the major properties of aluminum bronzes to be considered by design engineers.
- Excellent mechanical properties
- No embrittlement in cryogenic applications (-328 F)
- Alloys can be welded to each other
- Alloys can be welded to steel
- Excellent corrosion resistance in aqueous solutions especially in sea water
- Excellent wear properties in combination with steel
- High compression strength
- Binary aluminum bronzes are non-magnetic
Applications of PIAD chill cast aluminum bronzes can be found in many different industries.
- Pump Industry
- Valve Industry
- Transportation Industry
- Material Handling Industry
- Marine Industry
- Mining Industry
- Packaging Machinery Industry
- Firearm Industry
- Medical Industry
- Outdoor Lawn Equipment
- Commercial Hardware
The copper aluminum alloys (aluminum bronzes) combined with PIAD's chill cast technology allow the design engineer to produce creative solutions providing the best economical results.
Welding aluminum bronzes - Increase value added
The ability to weld aluminum bronze alloys with each other and in combination with steel creates interesting and economically favorable design opportunities for the design engineer. PIAD chill mold castings featuring all the process benefits can be welded to larger steel structures providing good economical solutions. The preferred welding process to use is the TIG process which offers excellent welding joints without oxidation.
Alloy Selection Guide
Alloy Selection Guide | Alloy No. PIAD Standard | CDA Comparison1 | Nominal Chemical Composition | Yield Strength ksi | Tensile Strength ksi | Elongation in 2" % | Brinell Hardness 10 mm /500 kg 3000 kg* | Modulus of Elasticity | Electrical Conductivity % IACS |
Alloy Group A Aluminum Bronze | A 010 | C925 | Cu-Al | 19-22 | 62-72 | 65-53 | 75-95 | 15.0 x 106 | 15-16 |
A 011 | C953 | Cu-Al-Fe | 27-30 | 75-85 | 35-30 | 95-110 | 16.0 x 106 | 12-Oct | |
A 012 | C952 | Cu-Al-Fe | 34-44 | 85-95 | 35-25 | 135-155* | 16.0 x 106 | 12-Oct | |
A 020 | C954/955 | Cu-Al-Fe-Ni | 58-68 | 95-108 | 6-Oct | 190-210* | 17.5 x 106 | 8.0 (maximum) | |
A 021 | C954/955 | Cu-Al-Fe-Ni | 45-51 | 88-95 | 20-14 | 150-170* | 17.2 x 106 | 8.0 (maximum) | |
A 0201 | C9552 | Cu-Al-Fe-Ni | 63-75 | 98-115 | 4-Jun | 210-230* | 18.0 x 106 | 8.0 (maximum) |
Alloy Selection Guide | Alloy No. PIAD Standard | Notes and Comments |
Alloy Group A Aluminum Bronze | A 010 | Good corrosion resistance to many chemical agents; excellent for cryogenic applications; shows no embrittlement down to temperatures of -200°C; suitable for application in chemical industry; nonmagnetic. |
A 011 | Good corrosion resistance to many chemical agents, especially H2SO4 and H3PO4; good corrosion resistance in cold salt water and in saltwater atmosphere; weldable; suitable for nonmagnetic applications. | |
A 012 | Good corrosion resistance in salt water and other water applications; weldable and heat treated; non-sparking. Used for components in the valve and pump industry. | |
A 020 | High-strength nickel-aluminum bronze with excellent corrosion resistance in atmosphere, water solution, hot and cold salt water, and many chemical agents. Performs well where cavitation and erosion are factors. Can be welded with common material and with carbon steel. Can be heat treated and is suitable for applications where non-sparking is required. | |
A 021 | Properties similar to A020 with reduced mechanical properties but increased ductility. Should be applied where strength and corrosion resistance are required. Weldable and can be heat treated. | |
A 0201 | High-strength nickel-aluminum bronze for high mechanical loads, similar to A020 but with increased mechanical properties. |