Nickel Bronze Vs Phosphor Bronze

Nickel bronze vs phosphor bronze

Bronze is an alloy of copper. With a primary copper based constitution, bronze is often alloyed with other metals. The most common metal to be used in the alloying of bronze is tin. Tin is added between a range of 12% – 12.5% in its alloy. Apart from tin, which is its secondary alloyant, often, the chemical composition of bronze includes the addition of other metals, for instance, aluminum, manganese, nickel, or even zinc. In some cases, manufacturers may use non-metallic elements or metalloids such as phosphorus, arsenic, or silicon. Today, there are several types of bronze available in the market. Two of the most common type of bronzes are nickel bronze and phosphor bronze. Typically, nickel bronze contains about 30% nickel in its alloy. Examples of nickel bronzes include nickel silver and cupronickel.

In cupronickel or as referred to as copper-nickel, the content of nickel varies anywhere between as high as 30% to as low as 10% nickel. There are two widely used copper-nickel grades commercially available in the market today. The first is 70/30 CuNi and the second one is 90/10 CuNi. The names of the grades have been derived by the elemental composition of the alloy. For instance,  70/30 CuNi consists of 70% copper with the addition of 30% nickel, whereas 90/10 CuNi consists of 90% copper and 10% nickel. Cupronickels are alloys that exhibit excellent resistance to seawater corrosion and low macrofouling rates, which is why they are widely used for marine applications. These alloys also have good fabricability. The other nickel bronze is referred to as nickel silver. Apart from being referred to as nickel silver across the world, the alloy may also be known as Maillechort or German silver. The most conventional grade of nickel silver consists of a composition of about 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc. Despite the term nickel silver, this alloy in no way contains silver. But it is the silverish appearance of nickel that is the cause of the derivation of its name.

Like Nickel bronze, Phosphor bronze is available in various forms. From being available in several conventional alloys, phosphor bronze is available in the form of nonferrous spring alloys, free-machining phosphor bronze as well as bearing bronze. One of the more conventional compositions for phosphor bronze includes the following chemistry that is 94.8% copper, 5% tin, and 0.2% of metalloid phosphorus. Phosphorus is referred to as a metalloid because its properties are intermediate between semiconductors, metals, and solid non-metals.

Nickel and phosphor bronze melting point

Unlike metals that have a fixed melting point, it is very difficult to get a fixed reading on the melting point of an alloy. This is because an alloy consists of multiple elements, metals, or metalloids, each of which has a unique melting point. Therefore, it is common for most alloys to exhibit a melting range. At this range, the alloy will change states from solid metal to a liquid sludge. The melting range of nickel silver is somewhere around 2030 °F, whereas, for some copper-nickel alloys, the melting range is between 2031 °F - 2255 °F. While the melting range of phosphor bronze is between 1705°F (Liquidus) - 1940°F (Solidus).

Difference between nickel and phosphor bronze metal price

Copper and nickel are traded commodities in the futures market. And so the contracts placed for these commodities are in large lots, with the price of each metal constantly varying. This is how the price of metals like nickel, copper, and even gold are decided. The price for nickel is higher than copper because it is a rare metal. Unlike phosphor bronze, nickel bronze contains a significant addition of nickel, which makes it more expensive.

Nickel aluminium bronze price per kg in India

Origin of material India
(Price Per Kg)		 UK
(Price Per Kg)		 Europe
(Price Per Kg)		 Malaysia
(Price Per Kg)		 Philippines
(Price Per Kg)
India Rs 480/kilogram Pound sterling 4.81 Euro 5.34 Malaysian Ringgit 26.48 Philippine peso 313.29

Phosphor bronze price per kg in india

Origin of material India
(Price Per Kg)		 UK
(Price Per Kg)		 Europe
(Price Per Kg)		 Malaysia
(Price Per Kg)		 Philippines
(Price Per Kg)
India Rs 650/kilogram Pound sterling 6.51 Euro 7.23 Malaysian Ringgit 35.86 Philippine peso 424.24

Buy directly from Nickel & Phosphor bronze manufacturers in India for Low cost, ready stock in Mumbai.

Nickel Bronze Material Mechanical Properties

Tensile Stress, min 655 MPa / 95 ksi
Brinell Hardness 208
Yield Strength @ .5% ext under load min 290 MPa / 42 ksi
Elongation in 2 in. or 50 mm min, % 10
Machinability Rating % 50%

Nickel Alloy Bronze Density

  US English Metric
Density 0.272 lb/in 3
@ 68 °F
 7.53 gm/cm 3
@ 20 °C

C63000 nickel aluminum bronze equivalent Grades

  • ASTM B271
  • ASME SB584
  • ASTM B505
  • ASTM B30
  • ASTM B763
  • ASTM B584
  • SAE J462
  • SAE J461
  • MIL V-18436

Nickel Bronze Chemical Composition

Cu% AI% Sn% Pb% Zn% Sb% P% Fe% Ni% S% Mn% Si%
78.00
MIN		 10.00-
11.50
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A		 3.00-
5.00		 3.00-
5.50
N/A
3.50
N/A

Nickel Bronze Alloy Physical Properties

  US English Metric
Liquidus - Melting Point 1930 °F 1054 °C
Solidus Melting Point 1900 °F
 1038 °C
Specific Gravity 7.530 7.53
Electrical Conductivity 8% IACS
@ 68 °F
 0.049 MegaSiemens/cm
@ 20 C
Electrical Resistivity N/A N/A
Thermal Conductivity 24.2 Btu/sq ft/ft hr/°F
@ 68 °F
 41.9 W/m
@ 20 °C
Specific Heat Range 0.1 Btu/lb/°F
@ 68 °F
  419 J/kg
@293 °C
Magnetic Permeability
(Field Strength 16 kA/m)		 1.320 1.32
Coefficient of
Thermal Expansion		 9 10-6 per °F
(68-212 °F)
 15.5 10-6 per °C
(20-100 °C)
Modulus of Elasticity
in Tension		 16000 ksi 110000 MPa

Nickel bronze weldability and fabrication

Welding Technique Suitability
Coated Metal Arc Welding Good
Gas Shielded Arc Welding Good
Soldering Good
Brazing Fair
Oxyacetylene Welding Not Recommended

UNS C97600 Machinability

  • Machinability : 70

Phosphor Bronze Grades

GRADE RELATED GRADES
PB102
 CW451K / C51000
PB104
 CW453K / C52100
PB1
 CC481K / C91700

Phosphor Bronze Density

Grade Density (g/cmᶟ) Approx
Phosphor Bronze LB2 / LB4 / PB2 8.7
Phosphor Bronze PB1 8.7

Phosphor Bronze Melting Temperature Point

831-999  °C

Phosphor Bronze Chemical Composition

PB1 and Pb2 Phosphor Bronze Composition

  Leaded Bronze / Phosphor Bronze LB2 / LB4 / PB2 PB1 Phosphor Bronze
  Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Copper 87 89.5 87 89.5
Tin 10.0 11.5 10.0 11.5
Lead   0.25   0.25
Zinc   0.05   0.05
Nickel   0.10   0.10
Phosphorous   1.0   1.0
Aluminium   0.01   0.01
Iron   0.1   0.1
Antimony   0.05   0.05
Manganese   0.05   -
Sulphur   0.05   0.05
Silicon   0.01   0.01
Bismuth   0.05   0.05
Impurities   0.05   -

Phosphor Bronze Equivalent Material

Pb2 Equivalent Specifications

  • BS EN 1982-2008 GC CC481K
  • BS 1400 PB2
  • CuSn11P-C
  • SAE 65C
  • UNI 7013-72-2A
  • ASTM B 505 C90700
  • DIN 1705 2.1052.04
  • AS 1565-1974 904D
  • AS 1565-1985 C90810

Pb1 Equivalent Specifications

  • BS 1400 PB1
  • BS EN 1982-2008 GC CC481K
  • Def Stan 02 838 Part 1
  • NES 838 Part 1
  • CuSn11P-C
  • ASTM B 505 C90700
  • SAE 65c
  • NES 838
  • AS 1565-1985 C90710
  • AS 1565-1974 904D

Phosphor Bronze Mechanical Properties

Pb2 Phosphor Bronze Properties

Tensile Strength (N/mm²) 400
Proof/Yield Strength (N/mm²) 190
Elongation (%) 20
Hardness Brinell 120
Impact Izod J20°C

Pb2 Physical Properties

Density g/cm³ 8.8
Melting Temperature Range °C 831-999
Thermal Conductivity W/mK 45
Electrical Resistivity μΩ.m15°C 0.17
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 0-250°C 19
Relative Magnetic Permeability
Coefficient of Friction

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