1. Introduction

C63000 aluminum bronze is a premium copper-based alloy recognized for its exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and performance in demanding applications. This comprehensive analysis examines C63000 alongside its potential equivalent alternatives, providing procurement specialists, engineers, and materials selection professionals with detailed comparisons of chemical composition, mechanical properties, manufacturing considerations, and cost-performance ratios. This guide aims to facilitate informed decision-making when sourcing materials for critical applications in aerospace, marine, oil and gas, and heavy industrial sectors.

2. C63000 Aluminum Bronze: Baseline Specifications

Table 1: Chemical Composition of C63000 Aluminum Bronze (%)

AlAvecFePbMnNiEt
9.0-11.0Rem.2.0-4.00.02 maximum1,5 maximum4.0-5.500,25 maximum
10.0*81.25*3.0*1.0*4.5*0.25*

*Nominal values

Table 2: Mechanical Properties of C63000 Aluminum Bronze

PropriétéValeurUnité
Résistance à la traction690-860MPa
Limite d'élasticité380-450MPa
Élongation6-15%
Dureté Brinell170-240HB
Densité7.6g/cm³
Propriétés mécaniques de l'acier à outils AISI HSS M2117GPa
Conductivité thermique38W/m·K
Coefficient de dilatation thermique16,0µm/m·K
Conductivité électrique6% IACS

3. Direct Equivalent Alternatives to C63000

3.1 International Standard Equivalents

Table 3: International Standards Equivalents for C63000

PaysStandardLa désignationEquivalence Level
Etats-UnisASTHMEUNS C63000Reference
L'Europe AUCuAl10Ni5Fe4Haut
AllemagneDECuAl10Fe5Ni5Haut
Royaume-UniBSCA104Moyen-élevé
JaponJISCAC704Moyen
ChineFRQAl10-5-5Haut
RussieGOSTBrAZhNFe 10-5-5Moyen-élevé
InternationalISOCuAl10Fe5Ni5Haut

3.2 Chemical Composition Comparison

Table 4: Chemical Composition Comparison of C63000 and Its Direct Equivalents (%)

AlliageStandardAlAvecFePbMnNiEtLes autres
C63000ASTHME9.0-11.0Rem.2.0-4.00.02 maximum1,5 maximum4.0-5.500,25 maximum
CuAl10Ni5Fe4AU8.5-10.5Rem.3.0-5.00.02 maximum0.5-2.54.0-6.00.1 maximumZn≤0.5
CA104BS9.0-11.0Rem.2.0-4.000,01 maximum1.0-2.04.0-6.00.2 maximumZn≤0.5
CAC704JIS9.0-11.0Rem.2.0-4.000,05 maximum1.0-2.04.0-6.00.3 maximum
QAl10-5-5FR9.0-11.0Rem.4.0-5.500,01 maximum0.5-1.54.5-6.00.2 maximum

3.3 Mechanical Properties Comparison

Table 5: Mechanical Properties Comparison of C63000 and Direct Equivalents

AlliageRésistance à la traction (MPa)Limite d'élasticité (MPa)Allongement (%)Dureté (HB)
C63000 (ASTM)690-860380-4506-15170-240
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (EN)650-830350-4208-15160-220
CA104 (BS)680-840360-4307-15170-230
CAC704 (JIS)650-820350-4206-12170-220
QAl10-5-5 (GB)680-850370-4407-14170-230

4. Alternative Material Categories

4.1 Other Aluminum Bronze Grades

Table 6: Alternative Aluminum Bronze Grades Comparison

AlliageUNS#Al (%)Différences clésCoût relatifNote de performance
C63200C632008,7-9,5Lower Al, better ductility95%Haut
C63020C6302010.0-11.5Higher Al, increased hardness105%Très haut
C62300C623008.5-10.0Lower Ni, reduced strength85%Moyen-élevé
C95400C9540010.0-11.5No Ni, lower corrosion resistance80%Moyen
C95500C9550010.0-11.5Contains Ni, similar strength90%Haut

4.2 Nickel Aluminum Bronze Alternatives

Table 7: Nickel Aluminum Bronze Alternatives

AlliageUNS#Key CompositionPropriétés clésCost Ratio to C63000Meilleures applications
C95800C95800Cu-9Al-4Fe-4NiHigher corrosion resistance110%Marine propellers, valves
C95700C95700Cu-12Al-6Fe-2NiRésistance supérieure, ductilité inférieure105%Roulements robustes
C95900C95900Cu-12Al-6Ni-2.5FeExcellente résistance à l'usure115%Aircraft landing gear parts

4.3 Non-Aluminum Bronze Alternatives

Table 8: Non-Aluminum Bronze Alternative Materials

Material CategoryExample AlloyKey Properties ComparisonCost RatioCompatibility
Bronze phosphoreuxC52400Lower strength, better electrical conductivity70%Low-Medium
Manganese BronzeC86300Similar strength, lower corrosion resistance75%Moyen
Silicon BronzeC87300Better machinability, lower wear resistance80%Moyen
Cuivre berylliumC17200Higher strength, excellent spring properties170%Moyen
Nickel-SilverC75200Lower strength, good corrosion resistance85%Faible

4.4 Non-Copper Based Alternatives

Table 9: Non-Copper Based Alternative Materials

Material CategoryExample GradeComparative PerformanceCost RatioApplication Overlap
Acier inoxydable17-4PHHigher strength, lower friction70%Moyen-élevé
Alliages de nickelInconel 625Superior corrosion resistance, higher cost180%High for marine
Titanium AlloysTi-6Al-4VHigher strength-to-weight, much higher cost300%Moyen
Duplex Stainless2205Good corrosion resistance, lower cost80%Moyen
Composite BearingsPTFE/BronzeLow friction, limited load capacity65%Faible

5. Cost-Performance Analysis

5.1 Relative Material Cost Index

Table 10: Relative Material Cost Index (C63000 = 100)

MatérielCoût des matières premièresCoût de traitementTotal Cost IndexCost Trend (2-Year)
C63000100100100Stable
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (EN)95-10595-10595-105Stable
C6320090-10095-10592-102Stable
C9540075-8590-10080-90Slight decrease
C95800105-115100-110103-113Increasing
17-4PH SS65-7575-8568-78Volatile
Inconel 625170-190150-170160-180Increasing
Ti-6Al-4V280-320150-170240-270Volatile

5.2 Performance Rating by Application

Table 11: Performance Rating by Application (1-10 scale, 10=best)

MatérielAérospatialMarinOil & GasHeavy MachineryOverall Value Rating
C6300098898.5
CuAl10Ni5Fe488898.3
C6320089898.5
C9540067787.0
C9580089988.5
17-4PH SS97888.0
Inconel 62599978.5
Ti-6Al-4Vdix8767.8

6. Manufacturing Considerations

6.1 Processability Comparison

Table 12: Manufacturing Process Suitability (1-10 scale, 10=excellent)

MatérielMoulage au sableCoulée centrifugeMoulage d'investissementUsinabilitéSoudabilitéHeat Treatment Response
C63000898659
CuAl10Ni5Fe4898659
C63200998768
C95400897657
C95800897667
17-4PH SS678589
Inconel 625567487
Ti-6Al-4V457378

6.2 Supply Chain Considerations

Table 13: Supply Chain Factors

MatérielGlobal AvailabilityLead Time (weeks)Supplier DiversityPrice StabilityRecyclabilité
C63000Haut5-7HautMoyenHaut
CuAl10Ni5Fe4Haut5-7HautMoyenHaut
C63200Haut4-6HautMoyenHaut
C95400Haut3-5HautMoyenHaut
C95800Moyen-élevé5-8MoyenLow-MediumHaut
17-4PH SSTrès haut2-4Très hautMoyenHaut
Inconel 625Moyen8-12MoyenFaibleMoyen
Ti-6Al-4VMoyen10-14MoyenFaibleMoyen

7. Application-Specific Equivalence

Table 14: Recommended Alternatives by Application

ApplicationFirst ChoiceSecond ChoiceThird ChoiceKey Selection Factor
Aerospace bearingsC63000C63020Ti-6Al-4VStrength-to-weight
Marine shaftsC63000C95800Inconel 625mais il y a des limites
Oil & gas valvesC63000C9580017-4PHPressure capacity
Heavy machinery gearsC63000C6320017-4PHRésistance à l'usure
High-temp applicationsC63000Inconel 625C95800Stabilité de la température
Structural componentsC63000C6320017-4PHRésistance à la fatigue
AttachesC6300017-4PHTi-6Al-4VForce
Bushings and bearingsC63000C63200C95400Load capacity

8. Selection Methodology for Equivalent Materials

Table 15: Decision Matrix for Material Selection

Selection FactorMasseC63000CuAl10Ni5Fe4C6320017-4PH SSC95800Inconel 625
Mechanical strength25%988989
mais il y a des limites20%88879dix
Résistance à l'usure15%989787
Cost-effectiveness15%777864
Usinabilitédix%667564
Disponibilitédix%888976
Soudabilité5%556868
Weighted Score100%8.057.657.907.707.657.40

9. Regional Market Availability and Pricing Trends

Table 16: Regional Availability and Price Variations

RégionC63000 AvailabilityPrice IndexLeading SuppliersImport Considerations
North AmericaHaut100Copper & Brass Fabricators Council membersDomestic supply robust
L'Europe Haut105-110KME, Wieland, AurubisEU material certifications
ChineMoyen-élevé85-95Ningbo, Shanghai copper alloy suppliersQuality verification needed
JaponMoyen110-120JX Nippon Mining, Mitsubishi MaterialsHigh quality, premium price
IndeMoyen90-100Hindustan Copper, regional foundriesVariable quality
Middle EastLow-Medium115-125Mostly importedImport duties, lead times
AustralieMoyen110-120Regional distributorsTransport costs factor

Table 17: Five-Year Price Trend Analysis (Index: 2020=100)

AnC63000C63200C9580017-4PH SSCopper IndexNickel Index
2020100100100100100100
2021118116122108125135
2022132128138116135150
2023128125135120130145
2024125122130115128140
2025*120118128118125138

*Projected values

10. Conclusion and Procurement Recommendations

C63000 aluminum bronze offers exceptional performance in demanding applications requiring high strength, good corrosion resistance, and wear properties. The most direct equivalent alternatives are found in the European standard CuAl10Ni5Fe4 and the Chinese standard QAl10-5-5, which offer very similar performance characteristics with minimal cost variations.

C63200 presents an excellent alternative with slightly better machinability and similar mechanical properties at a comparable or slightly lower cost. For applications with extreme corrosion requirements, particularly in marine environments, C95800 nickel aluminum bronze may justify its 5-10% higher cost through superior performance and longevity.

For procurement professionals, the following strategic recommendations apply:

  1. Develop relationships with multiple suppliers across different regions to mitigate supply chain risks
  2. Always request material certification documentation to verify composition and properties
  3. Consider total cost of ownership including maintenance and replacement frequency, not just initial material cost
  4. For non-critical applications, evaluate 17-4PH stainless steel as a potential cost-saving alternative
  5. Monitor copper and nickel commodity prices, as these significantly impact aluminum bronze costs
  6. Maintain safety stock of critical components during periods of price volatility or supply constraints
  7. Develop standardized material substitution protocols for emergency situations

By carefully evaluating the equivalence factors presented in this analysis, procurement specialists and engineers can make informed decisions when selecting alternatives to C63000 aluminum bronze, balancing performance requirements with cost considerations and supply chain resilience.