Aluminum bronzes and nickel-aluminum bronzes (NAB) share a copper-aluminum base with iron. The difference is the deliberate nickel and manganese balance used in NAB for sea-water service and strength.
The cast grades
- C95400: aluminum-iron bronze with little nickel; economical, strong, wear resistant.
- C95500: adds roughly 3–5.5% nickel for higher strength and heat treatability.
- C95800: a controlled NAB composition widely used for sea-water components.
Wrought versus cast
C63000 is a wrought aluminum bronze with nickel, used for rod, bar and plate, while the C95xxx grades are casting alloys. The product form and specification drive what is available and what properties can be obtained.
Service environment
Sea-water performance depends on alloy, microstructure, velocity, design and conditions. Do not assume a grade suits a service without reviewing these. Share your conditions with the company for guidance.
General information only. Verify grades, properties and specifications against the current standards and your project requirements before relying on this article.