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C93200 Bronze (SAE 660): Properties, Uses, and Composition

Imagine a material that combines exceptional durability, outstanding machinability, and versatile applications across a multitude of industries. Meet C93200 bronze, also known as SAE 660 or bearing bronze—a leaded tin bronze alloy that has become a cornerstone in engineering and manufacturing. This remarkable alloy is celebrated not only for its robust mechanical properties and excellent thermal conductivity but also for its unparalleled performance in demanding environments. From automotive fittings to industrial bushings and bearings, C93200 bronze is a go-to material for components that require both strength and precision.

In this article, we’ll delve into the intricate details of C93200 bronze, exploring its chemical composition and mechanical properties that make it a preferred choice for engineers and manufacturers alike. We’ll uncover the specific applications where this alloy truly shines and examine its machinability and fabrication properties, providing a comprehensive understanding of why C93200 bronze remains a staple in various high-performance settings. Whether you’re a seasoned professional seeking material specifications or simply curious about the marvels of modern metallurgy, join us as we unravel the secrets of C93200 bronze and its indispensable role in today’s technological advancements.

Introduction

Overview

C93200, also known as SAE 660, is a high-leaded tin bronze alloy recognized for its excellent performance in various industrial applications. This alloy is highly valued for its unique combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication, making it a popular choice in sectors such as automotive, marine, and heavy machinery.

Historical Context

The development of C93200 bronze arose from the need for materials that could endure harsh conditions while providing reliable performance. This alloy has evolved to meet the demands of modern engineering applications, offering solutions for components that require both durability and precision.

Importance in Industry

C93200 bronze is widely used in manufacturing bearings and bushings, which are crucial components in many types of machinery. Its excellent wear resistance and anti-friction properties make it ideal for applications that require long service life and minimal maintenance. Additionally, the alloy’s good machinability allows for the production of complex parts with high precision.

Key Characteristics

C93200 bronze has several notable characteristics:

  • Wear and Corrosion Resistance: The alloy’s composition provides excellent resistance to wear and corrosion, making it suitable for high-load environments and exposure to harsh chemicals or seawater.
  • Lubricity: The high lead content enhances its self-lubricating properties, reducing friction and wear between moving parts.
  • Thermal Conductivity: It offers moderate thermal conductivity, which is beneficial for applications requiring heat dissipation.

Application Versatility

One of the main advantages of C93200 bronze is its versatility. It is used in a wide range of applications, from automotive fittings and industrial machinery to marine bearings and high-pressure equipment in the oil and gas industry. This broad applicability is a testament to the alloy’s reliability and performance across different environments and operating conditions.

Conclusion

In summary, C93200 bronze is crucial in many engineering fields due to its exceptional mechanical properties, ease of fabrication, and resistance to wear and corrosion. Its development and widespread use highlight its importance in ensuring the efficiency and longevity of various mechanical systems.

Chemical Composition

Overview of Chemical Composition

C93200 bronze, also known as SAE 660, is a high-lead tin bronze alloy designed for specific industrial applications due to its unique properties. Its composition is precisely engineered to offer specific properties that make it suitable for various industrial applications. The primary constituents of C93200 bronze include copper, lead, tin, and zinc, along with several other elements in smaller amounts.

Major Elements

Copper (Cu)

Copper is the primary element in C93200 bronze, making up 81.0% to 85.0% of the alloy, and provides excellent thermal and electrical conductivity as well as corrosion resistance.

Lead (Pb)

Lead, which comprises 6.0% to 8.0% of the alloy, improves machinability and provides self-lubricating properties, making it ideal for bearings.

Tin (Sn)

Tin, present in amounts from 6.3% to 7.5%, enhances the alloy’s strength and corrosion resistance.

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc, making up 2.0% to 4.0% of the alloy, increases hardness and strength.

Minor Elements

Iron, up to 0.20%, can affect hardness and strength. Phosphorus, limited to 1.50%, enhances wear resistance and machinability. Nickel, including cobalt, up to 1.00%, boosts corrosion resistance and strength. Antimony, up to 0.35%, and sulfur, restricted to 0.08%, also influence mechanical properties and machinability.

Trace Elements

Aluminum and silicon, both present in very small amounts (up to 0.005%), can impact hardness, strength, and the casting process.

Summary of Composition

The combination of these elements gives C93200 bronze its excellent mechanical properties, machinability, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for bearings, bushings, and industrial components.

Mechanical Properties

Mechanical Properties of C93200 Bronze

C93200 bronze, known for its strong mechanical properties, is a versatile material used in various applications.

Tensile Strength

C93200 bronze has an ultimate tensile strength of 35 ksi (241 MPa) and a yield strength of 20 ksi (138 MPa), indicating its ability to withstand significant stress before deforming.

Elongation and Ductility

With an elongation at break of about 10% over a 2-inch gauge length, C93200 bronze is quite ductile, making it suitable for bending and shaping.

Hardness

C93200 bronze has a Rockwell B hardness of around 65, showing its resistance to deformation.

Fatigue Strength

Its fatigue strength is 110 MPa (16,000 psi), important for applications with repeated stress cycles.

Compressive Strength

C93200 bronze can withstand compressive forces up to 320 MPa (46,000 psi).

Modulus of Elasticity and Shear Modulus

With a tensile modulus of 100 GPa (14,500 ksi) and a shear modulus of 38 GPa (5.5 million psi), C93200 bronze is both stiff and resilient.

Poisson’s Ratio

A Poisson’s ratio of 0.35 means the material expands laterally when compressed.

Machinability

With a 70% machinability rating compared to free-cutting brass, C93200 bronze is easy to work with, ideal for precise manufacturing.

Thermal Properties

  • Thermal conductivity: 58.2 W/m-K (33.6 Btu/h-ft-°F) at 20°C.
  • Specific heat capacity: 377.1 J/kg-K (0.09 Btu/lb-°F).
  • Coefficient of thermal expansion: 18 x 10^-6 per °C (10 x 10^-6 per °F).

These properties ensure the material performs well in heat dissipation and thermal stability.

Uses and Applications

Automotive Applications

C93200 bronze is a popular choice in the automotive industry due to its excellent mechanical properties and wear resistance. Its durability and corrosion resistance make it ideal for various automotive fittings and washers, which need to withstand high stress and maintain integrity under load.

Uses in Industry

This alloy is highly suitable for various industrial applications, especially where components face heavy loads and wear.

Bearings and Bushings

C93200 bronze is extensively used in manufacturing bearings and bushings for machinery, including cranes, diesel engines, hydraulic presses, and rolling mills, due to its self-lubricating properties and wear resistance.

Marine and Corrosive Environments

The alloy’s resistance to seawater and brine makes it ideal for marine applications, such as valves and pumps, ensuring longevity and reliability.

General Purpose Applications

Thanks to its versatility, C93200 bronze is used in various applications where wear resistance and machinability are crucial. The alloy is used in wear strips, plates, light-duty gears, sprockets, impellers, and other mechanical fixtures, offering strength and corrosion resistance.

Machine Tools and Earth Moving Machinery

In heavy machinery, C93200 bronze is used in components that require high durability and wear resistance. This alloy is ideal for main spindle bearings in machine tools and linkage bushings in presses and earth-moving machinery, providing reliable performance under heavy loads.

Machinability and Fabrication

Machinability and Fabrication of C93200 Bronze

C93200 bronze, also known as SAE 660, is renowned for its excellent machinability, making it a top choice in various industrial applications.

Machinability Rating

This alloy has a high machinability rating of 70, meaning it can be easily and precisely machined into complex shapes. For comparison, free-cutting brass is rated at 100, highlighting the impressive machinability of C93200 bronze.

Free Cutting Properties

The lead in the alloy acts as a lubricant, reducing friction between the cutting tool and the workpiece, which results in less tool wear and fewer component rejections. The high density and porosity-free grain structure obtained through continuous casting further enhance the machinability of C93200 bronze.

Tool Wear and Efficiency

Thanks to its lead content and high-density structure, tools used for machining C93200 bronze experience less wear. This enhances machining efficiency, allowing for longer tool life and consistent quality in the parts produced, ultimately leading to cost savings.

Fabrication Techniques

C93200 bronze is versatile in terms of fabrication, although some methods are more suitable than others. Understanding the best practices for working with this alloy can ensure optimal performance and longevity of the fabricated components.

Soldering and Brazing

Soldering and brazing are highly effective for C93200 bronze. Soldering joins components by melting a filler metal into the joint, creating a strong bond. Brazing, which melts the filler metal at a higher temperature, also provides strong joints that can withstand significant stress.

Welding Techniques to Avoid

Certain welding methods, such as oxyacetylene welding, gas shielded arc welding, and coated metal arc welding, are not recommended for C93200 bronze due to potential issues with weld quality and structural integrity.

Summary

In summary, C93200 bronze is highly machinable with a rating of 70, making it easy to machine into precise components. Its lead content enhances machining efficiency by reducing tool wear. Soldering and brazing are suitable fabrication techniques, while certain welding methods should be avoided to maintain the alloy’s integrity. These characteristics make C93200 bronze an excellent choice for various industrial applications requiring reliable and easily fabricated components.

Thermal Properties

Thermal Properties of C93200 Bronze

Thermal Conductivity

C93200 bronze is known for its impressive thermal conductivity, making it ideal for applications requiring efficient heat dissipation. Its thermal conductivity is about 58.2 W/m-K at 20°C (33.6 Btu/sq ft/ft hr/°F at 68°F), which helps in maintaining stability and performance under thermal stress. This property is essential in applications where effective heat management is crucial.

Specific Heat Capacity

C93200 bronze has a specific heat capacity of 360 J/kg-K (0.086 BTU/lb-°F), meaning it can absorb and store a significant amount of heat. This capability is beneficial for applications involving thermal cycling and heat management, as it allows the material to handle temperature fluctuations effectively.

Melting Points

The solidus point, where the material is completely solid, is at 854°C (1570°F), and the liquidus point, where it is fully liquid, is at 977°C (1790°F). Understanding these melting points is critical for processes such as casting and thermal treatment, ensuring the material behaves predictably under high temperatures.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

The coefficient of thermal expansion for C93200 bronze is 17.3 × 10^-6 per °C (20-300 °C) or 10 × 10^-6 per °F (68-572 °F), indicating how much the material expands or contracts with temperature changes. This predictable expansion rate is crucial for applications where dimensional stability is necessary, such as in precision components and assemblies.

Thermal Expansion

C93200 bronze expands at a rate of 18 µm/m-K. This value reflects the material’s tendency to expand when heated, which is vital for designing components that will maintain their integrity and fit under varying thermal conditions.

Maximum Temperature: Mechanical

C93200 bronze can maintain its mechanical properties up to 160°C (310°F), beyond which its performance may degrade, impacting the longevity of components in high-temperature applications. This limitation should be considered to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of the material in demanding environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What is the chemical composition of C93200 bronze?

The chemical composition of C93200 bronze, also known as SAE 660, includes the following elements: Copper (81.00% – 85.00%), Lead (6.00% – 8.00%), Tin (6.25% – 7.50%), Zinc (2.00% – 4.00%), and small percentages of other elements such as Iron, Phosphorus, Nickel, Aluminum, Sulfur, Antimony, and Silicon.

What are the mechanical properties of C93200 bronze?

The mechanical properties of C93200 bronze are as follows: it has a minimum tensile strength of 35,000 PSI (241 MPa) and a minimum yield strength of 20,000 PSI (138 MPa). The alloy exhibits a minimum elongation of 10% and typically has a Brinell Hardness of 65. These properties make C93200 bronze suitable for applications requiring strength, durability, and wear resistance.

What are the typical uses of C93200 bronze?

C93200 bronze, also known as SAE 660, is typically used in various industrial and automotive applications due to its excellent properties. In industrial settings, it is commonly used for bearings and bushings, especially in machinery such as cranes, diesel engines, hydraulic presses, and rolling mills. It is also utilized in pump and valve components due to its good corrosion resistance. In the automotive industry, C93200 bronze is used for fittings and washers. Its excellent anti-friction properties and high machinability make it ideal for thrust washers, machine tool bearings, and other general-purpose bushings and fittings.

How machinable is C93200 bronze?

C93200 bronze, also known as SAE 660, has a machinability rating of 70, which is relatively high among copper alloys. This high machinability is primarily due to its lead content (6.0-8.0%), which acts as a free-cutting agent, enhancing the alloy’s efficiency during machining processes. This makes C93200 bronze suitable for applications requiring precision machining, such as bearings, bushings, and various automotive and industrial components. Additionally, it exhibits excellent soldering and good brazing properties, although it is not recommended for certain welding techniques like oxyacetylene, gas shielded arc, or coated metal arc welding.

What are the thermal properties of C93200 bronze?

The thermal properties of C93200 bronze include a melting point with a liquidus temperature of 1790°F (977°C) and a solidus temperature of 1570°F (854°C). Its thermal conductivity is 33.6 Btu/sq ft/ft hr/°F at 68°F (58.2 W/m·°K at 20°C). These properties make C93200 bronze suitable for applications requiring good thermal conductivity and moderate thermal expansion.

Can C93200 bronze be used in high-temperature applications?

C93200 bronze can withstand some elevated temperatures but is not suitable for continuous high-temperature applications. While its melting points range from 1570°F (854°C) to 1790°F (977°C), its practical service temperature is much lower. It can handle up to 500°F (260°C) for short periods or stress relief, but for continuous high-temperature environments, other bronze alloys like aluminum bronze (C95400, C95500) are more appropriate.

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