Connect and transact with thousands of top North American companies today

Bronze is a metal alloy that is made up of mainly copper, about 12 to 12.5% tin, and often other metals such as aluminum, manganese, zinc, or nickel.  It sometimes contains non-metals or metalloids such as arsenic, phosphorus, and silicon. The different metal and non-metal add-ons produce a range of bronze alloys with different qualities.

Bronze is generally a very elastic alloy. Typically it only oxidizes superficially, and once a copper oxide layer forms, the core metal is protected from further corrosion. This process can be seen on ancient statues. Copper-based alloys like bronze have lower melting points than steel or iron, which makes them more readily produced. Bronze is about 10 percent denser than steel, although alloys using aluminum or silicon may be a bit less dense. Bronze conducts of heat and electricity better than most steels. It is generally more expensive than steel but cheaper than nickel-based alloys. It has a dull-gold color and faint rings on its surface.

This article looks at the different types of bronze, specifically the different alloys, their applications, and properties.  

Silicon bronze, sometimes called red silicon bronze, contains copper, silicon and zinc. It usually contains up to 6% silicon. It may also be made up of copper, silicon, and other alloys such as manganese, tin, iron, and zinc. It is a high-strength alloy, with an easy pouring ability, high corrosion resistance, and appealing surface finish. It is most commonly used for pump and valve parts.

Phosphor bronze, also known as tin bronze, contains copper, up to 11% tin, and up to 0.35% phosphorus. The addition of phosphorus increases the bronze’s wear resistance and stiffness. This alloy is known for being tough and durable, with a low coefficient of friction, and a fine grain. Phosphor bronze is commonly used to make anti-corrosive equipment, electrical components, washers, springs, bellows, and musical instruments.

Aluminum bronze contains copper, around 6 to 12% aluminum,  and sometimes other additions such as iron, nickel, manganese, and silicon. It is a high strength, corrosion-resistant, and tarnish-resistant alloy. Because of its corrosion-resistance, particularly to seawater, common applications are marine hardware, and pumps that carry corrosive fluids. It is also used for the oil, petrochemical, and water supply industries.

Manganese bronze is made of up to 3% manganese, copper, zinc, aluminum, and iron. It is shock-resistant and deforms instead of breaking. It is highly resistant to saltwater corrosion and is therefore often used in boat propellers.  Manganese bronze is also used for valve and pump parts, gears, nuts, and bolts.

Bearing bronze has a lead content of about 6 to 8%. The higher lead content gives it a low-friction property, making it useful in high-wear environments, specifically areas that are difficult to access or maintain. As its name suggests, bearing bronze is most often used to make bearings and bushings.

Copper-nickel bronze, also known as cupronickel, contains a larger amount of nickel, from 2 to 30%. Like the other types of bronze alloys, it is durable and corrosive-resistant, especially against saltwater. It also has high thermal stability. Copper-nickel bronze is used for electronic components, marine equipment, ship hulls, pumps, and valves.

Bismuth bronze has 1 to 6% bismuth. It is very corrosion-resistant and more malleable and thermally conductive. It polishes well, and so is sometimes used in light reflectors and mirrors. The most common industrial application is bearings. Historically, however, it has been used as kitchenware. Bismuth bronze was also found in ceremonial Inca knives at Machu Picchu.  It is now sometimes used as an alternative to leaded bronze.

This article presented an understanding of the different types of bronze. For more information on related products, consult our other guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform to locate potential sources of supply or view details on specific products.

Select From Over 500,000 Industrial Suppliers

Find and evaluate OEMs, Custom Manufacturers, Service Companies and Distributors.

Stay up to date on industry news and trends, product announcements and the latest innovations.

Find materials, components, equipment, MRO supplies and more.

Download 2D & 3D CAD Models

10+ million models from leading OEMs, compatible with all major CAD software systems.

Copyright© 2023 Thomas Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved. See Terms and Conditions, Privacy Statement and California Do Not Track Notice. Website Last Modified February 28, 2023. Thomas Register® and Thomas Regional® are part of Thomasnet.com. Thomasnet Is A Registered Trademark Of Thomas Publishing Company.