Intent: Cast bronze bearing selection: anti-friction sleeve bearing bronze (SAE 660) versus high-strength aluminum bronze (9C) for heavy load and wear components.
Engineering Verdict & When to Choose Each
Bearing bronze or aluminum bronze: approve the bearing system
By Mat Grades Editorial Desk · Updated 2026-11-14
For a bushing, compare the load, motion, shaft surface and lubrication before comparing alloy hardness. C93200 and C95400 are different bronze candidates with different selection considerations. A stronger or harder replacement does not automatically reduce system wear.
Inspect the failed assembly before changing material. Edge loading, contamination, an unsuitable shaft finish or poor lubricant supply can dominate the result. A replacement that moves wear from the bushing to the shaft may increase the total repair cost even if the bushing itself lasts longer.
Obtain supplier guidance for the actual bearing duty and validate the assembled pair where the consequence of failure warrants it. Keep any load-speed limitation tied to the source and operating assumptions; do not calculate an allowable bearing duty from tensile strength alone. Quote the finished bore, lubrication features and inspection requirement together with the exact alloy and manufacturing route.
C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660): evidence to check
C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660) has 20 cataloged property rows. Electrical Conductivity is reported as 12 % IACS (typical; tested at 20 °C). Modulus of Elasticity (Tension) is reported as 100 GPa (typical; further condition not stated). The record identifies SAE J461; check its scope and ordered edition. These are source-scoped examples rather than unrestricted design allowables. Read the full row context and certificate before using a value for acceptance; an absent value is not zero or a performance failure.
C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C: evidence to check
C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C has 44 cataloged property rows. Electrical Conductivity is reported as 13 % IACS (typical; tested at 20 °C). Modulus of Elasticity (Tension) is reported as 106.9 GPa (typical; further condition not stated). The record identifies SAE J461; check its scope and ordered edition. These are source-scoped examples rather than unrestricted design allowables. Read the full row context and certificate before using a value for acceptance; an absent value is not zero or a performance failure.
Four questions before approval
- Are load, speed and motion type documented?
- Has the shaft and failure pattern been inspected?
- Does the lubricant reach the loaded contact?
- Is supplier bearing guidance applicable to the actual duty?
Check the linked material records for the complete source trail. Read the methodology before comparing minimum requirements with typical measurements. No direct substitution or qualified fabrication procedure is implied.
Material Comparison
Compare verified engineering materials side by side with condition-specific mechanical properties.
| Parameter | C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660) | C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C |
|---|---|---|
| Material Family | Copper Alloys | Copper Alloys |
| Subfamily | Bearing Bronze | Aluminum Bronze |
| UNS Designation | C93200 | C95400 |
| COMMERCIAL Designation | SAE 660 Bearing Bronze | Aluminum Bronze 9C |
| CDA Designation | Alloy 932 | Alloy 954 |
| SPECIFICATION Designation | SAE J461 | SAE J461 |
| Element | C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660) | C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C |
|---|---|---|
| Cu (Copper) | 81 – 85% | ≥ 83% |
| Pb (Lead) | 6 – 8% | — |
| Sn (Tin) | 6.3 – 7.5% | — |
| Zn (Zinc) | 1 – 4% | — |
| Fe (Iron) | ≤ 0.2% | 3 – 5% |
| P (Phosphorus) | ≤ 0.15% | — |
| Ni (Nickel) | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1.5% |
| Al (Aluminum) | ≤ 0.005% | 10 – 11.5% |
| S (Sulfur) | ≤ 0.08% | — |
| Sb (Antimony) | ≤ 0.35% | — |
| Si (Silicon) | ≤ 0.005% | — |
| Mn (Manganese) | — | ≤ 0.5% |
| Property | C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660) | C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C |
|---|---|---|
| Density · TYPICAL · 20 °CUnit: g/cm³ | 8.913 g/cm³ | 7.446 g/cm³ |
| Mechanical Parameter | C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660)As Centrifugal Cast (M02) | C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9CAs Centrifugal Cast (M02) |
|---|---|---|
| Modulus of Elasticity (Tension) · TYPICALUnit: GPa | 100 GPa | 106.9 GPa |
| Machinability Rating · TYPICALUnit: % | 70 % | 60 % |
| Tensile Strength · As Centrifugal Cast · As Centrifugal Cast (M02) · TYPICAL · 20 °CUnit: MPa | 206.8 MPa | 517.1 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.5% Ext) · As Centrifugal Cast · As Centrifugal Cast (M02) · TYPICAL · 20 °CUnit: MPa | 96.5 MPa | 206.8 MPa |
| Elongation · As Centrifugal Cast · As Centrifugal Cast (M02) · TYPICAL · 20 °CUnit: % | 15 % | 12 % |
| Property | C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660) | C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity · TYPICAL · 20 °CCategory: ELECTRICAL • Unit: % IACS | 12 % IACS | 13 % IACS |
| Liquidus Temperature · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: °C | 976.7 °C | 1037.8 °C |
| Solidus Temperature · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: °C | 854.4 °C | 1026.7 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity · TYPICAL · 20 °CCategory: THERMAL • Unit: W/(m·K) | 58.15 W/(m·K) | 58.67 W/(m·K) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: µm/(m·K) | 18 µm/(m·K) | 16.2 µm/(m·K) |
| Specific Heat Capacity · TYPICAL · 20 °CCategory: THERMAL • Unit: J/(kg·K) | 376.8 J/(kg·K) | 418.7 J/(kg·K) |
| Annealing Temperature Range · RANGECategory: THERMAL • Unit: °C | — °C | 621.1–662.8 °C |
| Hardness Scale | C93200 Bearing Bronze (SAE 660) | C95400 Aluminum Bronze 9C |
|---|---|---|
| Brinell Hardness · As Centrifugal Cast · As Centrifugal Cast (M02) · TYPICAL | — | 150 HB |
Machinability: Machinability rating: 70% relative to free-cutting brass (C36000 = 100%).
Weldability: Soldering: Excellent; Brazing: Good; Oxyacetylene Welding: Not Recommended; Gas Shielded Arc Welding: Not Recommended; Coated Metal Arc Welding: Not Recommended
Machinability: Machinability rating: 60% relative to free-cutting brass (C36000 = 100%).
Weldability: Soldering: Good; Brazing: Good; Oxyacetylene Welding: Not Recommended; Gas Shielded Arc Welding: Good; Coated Metal Arc Welding: Good
Heat Treatment & Annealing: Annealing temperature range: 621.1°C to 662.8°C (1150°F - 1225°F).