Aluminum bronze

ALLOY
‫اواب مكبر عبدالرحمن‬
• Aluminum Bronzes are a family of copper-based
alloys that use iron and nickel in their chemistry -
but rely on aluminum as the principle alloying
element. Aluminum significantly adds to the
strength to the point that it is similar to that of
medium carbon steel. The additional advantage is
that aluminum bronze also possesses excellent
corrosion resistance. It is that strength and
corrosion resistance that gave rise to the early use
of aluminum bronze.
• A small adjustment in metallurgy causes significant
changes in performance. This recognition of other
properties has led to the use of Aluminum Bronzes
for a variety of parts requiring strength, hardness,
resistance to wear and galling, low magnetic
permeability, resistance to cavitation, erosion,
softening and oxidation at elevated temperatures.
These properties, together with ease of weldability,
have greatly extended the fields of application for
Aluminum Bronze.
• There are two major groups in the Aluminum
Bronze family. Aluminum Bronze contains
approximately 9-14% aluminum and 4% iron
while Nickel Aluminum Bronze contains
approximately 9-11% aluminum, 4% iron and
5% nickel. That addition of nickel in the latter
further improves the corrosion resistance of a
material that is already strong in this area.
 Bronze Composition

• It consists of a group of alloys that has

Aluminum as its chief element added to
Copper. This is in contrast to standard Bronze or
Brass. Different varieties of Aluminum Bronze
are used for industrial purposes that include
4.5% to 11.5% Aluminum by weight while the
rest include Copper with other agents in small
quantity like Iron, Nickel, Manganese, Silicon
and Zinc. ISO 428 classifies them as follows:
 Aluminum Bronze Properties
• This alloy group offers higher tensile strength and
resistance compared to other alloys of Bronze.
• These alloys are non-magnetic.
• They are resistant to tarnish.
• They experience low oxidation rates at high
temperatures.
• The alloys under this category show low reactivity
to sulfurous compounds and other products of
combustion.
• These alloys are resistant to sea water. The copper
present in this alloy group prevents accumulation
of marine organisms like algae, mussels, etc.
• The anti-corrosive properties of some of these
alloys can be further enhanced by heat treatment.
• They are often prepared by commercial producers
by enhancing its property of remaining free from
sparks at sites with explosive materials and
environment.
 Aluminum Bronze Uses

• The uses of this group of alloys can be summarized as follows:

• It is preferred over applications where resistance to corrosion is an important

consideration. It is used in the manufacture of instruments that include
aerospace equipments and engine components (particularly of sea vessels).
• Its non-magnetic property makes it ideal to work with strong magnets like
MRI machines.
• It is preferred over stainless steel or other non-copper alloys in equipments
where colonization of marine organisms is a threat.
• This alloy is also used in jewelries because of its gold-like coloration.
• Aluminum Bronze electrodes are used for welding and surfacing of joints
between steel and copper alloys. Such electrodes find vivid use in naval
vessels and chemical industry in pumps, propellers, etc.