C62700 Aluminum Bronze Slide Plate
C62700 Aluminum Bronze Slide Plate
Self-lubricating bronze bearings are engineered for applications where external lubrication is impractical. Solid lubricants are compressed and molded directly into the bearing to guarantee a maintenance-free product. No additional lubrication is necessary.
C62700 Aluminum Bronze Slide Plate: The Ultimate Guide to High-Performance Nickel-Aluminum Bronze
Unlocking Superior Performance in Demanding Applications
In the world of industrial machinery and heavy equipment, the choice of material for critical components like slide plates, bushings, and wear pads can mean the difference between relentless performance and costly downtime. While the broader category of bronze oilless bearings offers excellent self-lubricating solutions, specific alloys are engineered for extreme duty. Enter C62700 Aluminum Bronze (UNS C62700), a premium nickel-aluminum bronze alloy that stands as a pinnacle of strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. This guide delves deep into the technical specifications, advantages, and optimal applications of C62700 slide plates, providing a clear comparison to help you select the right material for your most challenging environments.
What is C62700 Aluminum Bronze?
C62700 is a high-strength, multi-phase aluminum bronze belonging to the family of copper-aluminum-nickel-iron alloys. It is not a standard bearing bronze but a specialized wrought alloy often supplied in plate, bar, or custom-finished forms for severe-service applications. Its enhanced properties come from a precise chemical balance, making it a top-tier choice where standard bronzes like C93200 or C95400 may fall short.
Material Specification: The Chemistry of Strength
The exceptional performance of C62700 is rooted in its carefully controlled chemistry. Here is a breakdown of its key elements and their roles:
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Element
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Content Range (wt%)
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Primary Function
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|---|---|---|
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Copper (Cu)
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Balance
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Base matrix, provides conductivity and corrosion resistance.
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Aluminum (Al)
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10.0% – 11.5%
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Primary strengthener; forms a tough, adherent alumina (Al₂O₃) oxide layer for wear and corrosion protection.
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Nickel (Ni)
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4.0% – 5.5%
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Enhances tensile strength, corrosion resistance (especially in seawater), and high-temperature stability.
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Iron (Fe)
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3.5% – 5.5%
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Grain refiner; significantly improves wear resistance, hardness, and overall strength.
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Manganese (Mn)
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≤ 1.0%
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Improves hot workability and acts as a deoxidizer.
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Silicon (Si)
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≤ 0.10%
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Controlled to prevent embrittlement.
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Lead (Pb)
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≤ 0.02%
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Strictly limited for environmental and performance integrity.
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Key International Standard Equivalents:
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UNS: C62700 (Wrought) / C95500 (Cast, closely related)
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DIN: 2.0981 / CuAl11Ni
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EN: CC333G / CuAl10Fe5Ni5
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ASTM: B505, B271 (for castings)
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JIS: CAC703
C62700 nickel aluminum bronze slide plate with graphite plugs self-lubricating bearing pad
Nickel Aluminum Bronze (CuAl10Fe5Ni5) – high strength, excellent corrosion & wear resistance.
Key Feature: Self-lubricating via embedded graphite plugs. Provides a solid lubricating film, reducing friction and wear without external grease.
Advantages:
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Operates under heavy load, low speed, or oscillating motion.
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Functions in harsh environments (water, seawater, chemicals, high temp).
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Maintenance-free and long-lasting.
Typical Applications: Marine equipment (stern tubes, rudders), hydraulic systems, heavy machinery, bridge bearings, and applications where lubrication is difficult.
Why C62700? Core Properties and Advantages
A C62700 aluminum bronze slide plate is engineered to solve problems where other materials fail. Its properties are a direct result of the synergistic effect of aluminum, nickel, and iron.
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Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio: With tensile strengths reaching 830-900 MPa and yield strengths of 550-650 MPa, it rivals many medium-carbon steels while being about 10-15% lighter. This makes it ideal for high-load components.
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Outstanding Corrosion and Erosion Resistance: The aluminum and nickel content provide superb resistance to seawater, brine, and many chemicals. It is highly resistant to cavitation erosion, impingement, and stress corrosion cracking (except in ammonia environments).
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Superior Wear and Galling Resistance: The hard intermetallic phases and natural oxide layer result in excellent performance against abrasion and adhesive wear, even under poor lubrication or dry-running conditions.
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Good Machinability and Weldability: While not a free-machining alloy, it can be machined and welded with proper procedures, allowing for the fabrication of complex custom parts.
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High-Temperature Stability: It retains a significant portion of its strength and hardness at elevated temperatures, suitable for continuous service up to 300°C (570°F).
Critical Performance Comparison: C62700 vs. Common Alternatives
Selecting the right material requires a clear comparison. Below, we contrast C62700 with other commonly used bronzes and stainless steel to highlight its specific advantages.
C62700 vs. C63000 Nickel Aluminum Bronze
Often confused, C62700 is a higher-performance variant of C63000.
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Performance Metric
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C62700 (UNS C62700)
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C63000 (UNS C63000)
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Advantage Analysis
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|---|---|---|---|
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Aluminum Content
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10.0-11.5%
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9.0-11.0%
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C62700 is typically at the higher end, offering greater solid-solution strengthening.
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Tensile Strength
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830 – 900 MPa
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758 – 862 MPa
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C62700 provides ~10-15% higher ultimate strength.
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Yield Strength (0.2%)
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550 – 650 MPa
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448 – 517 MPa
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C62700 offers ~20-25% higher yield strength, crucial for high-load bearings and slides.
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Hardness (HB)
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220 – 280
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200 – 240
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Higher hardness translates to better wear and deformation resistance.
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Corrosion Resistance
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Comparable; both excel in seawater.
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Best For
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Ultimate heavy-duty, high-stress applications (e.g., heavy mill bearings, severe wear plates).
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General heavy-duty marine and industrial applications.
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Conclusion: C62700 is the high-strength upgrade to C63000, delivering significantly higher load capacity for the most demanding mechanical applications.
C62700 vs. C95400 Aluminum Bronze
C95400 is a workhorse aluminum bronze, but C62700 is a step beyond.
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Performance Metric
|
C62700 (UNS C62700)
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C95400 (UNS C95400)
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Implication
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|---|---|---|---|
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Nickel Content
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4.0 – 5.5%
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≤ 1.5%
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C62700’s 3x higher nickel content drastically improves strength and corrosion resistance.
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Tensile Strength
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830+ MPa
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621 – 689 MPa
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C62700 is 35-40% stronger.
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Yield Strength
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550+ MPa
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310 – 345 MPa
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C62700 offers 60-75% higher yield strength, preventing permanent deformation under high stress.
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Fatigue Strength
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Excellent
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Moderate
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C62700 is superior for dynamic, cyclic loading conditions.
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Max Service Temp
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~300°C
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~230°C
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Better high-temperature stability.
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Conclusion: Use C95400 for general-purpose, high-strength needs. Choose C62700 for extreme, heavy-load, and high-corrosion environments where failure is not an option.
C62700 vs. 316L Stainless Steel in Marine Applications
In chloride-rich environments like seawater, the choice is critical.
|
Performance Metric
|
C62700 Aluminum Bronze
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316L Stainless Steel
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Bronze Advantage
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|---|---|---|---|
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Resistance to Pitting
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Excellent (protective oxide film)
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Prone to pitting/crevice corrosion
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C62700 is inherently more reliable in stagnant or low-flow seawater.
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Thermal Conductivity
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46 – 50 W/(m·K)
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~15 W/(m·K)
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3x better heat dissipation, reducing risk of localized overheating in bearings.
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|
Biofouling Resistance
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Natural biocide (copper ions)
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Promotes biological growth
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Reduces maintenance and drag in marine applications.
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Magnetic Permeability
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Essentially non-magnetic (~1.1 μ)
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Slightly magnetic
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Preferred for sensitive instruments and non-magnetic applications.
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Damping Capacity
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High
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Low
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Better at absorbing vibration and shock loads.
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Ideal Applications for C62700 Slide Plates and Components
Leveraging its unique properties, C62700 is the material of choice for:
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Marine & Offshore: Propeller shafts, stern bearings, rudder stocks, pump wear rings, and subsea valve components.
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Oil & Gas: Wellhead components, choke valves, high-pressure pump sleeves, and Christmas tree fittings exposed to H₂S.
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Power Generation: Hydroturbine wear plates, guide vanes, and pump components subject to cavitation.
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Heavy Industry & Mining: High-load slide plates for rolling mills, excavator pivot bushings, crusher bearings, and heavy machinery gibs.
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Chemical Processing: Mixer shafts, centrifugal machine parts, and components handling non-oxidizing acids and salts.
Machining and Fabrication Notes
C62700 has a machinability rating of approximately 30-50 (on a scale where free-cutting brass C36000 is 100). Key recommendations:
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Tools: Use sharp, positive-rake carbide or coated carbide tools. Cobalt-based high-speed steel (HSS-E) is also suitable.
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Speeds & Feeds: Employ moderate speeds with consistent, positive feed to avoid work hardening.
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Coolant: Use a heavy-duty soluble oil or chemical coolant for optimal tool life and surface finish.
Partner with a Specialist for Custom C62700 Solutions
As a specialist manufacturer of high-performance bronze components, we provide more than just material. We offer engineered solutions:
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Material Expertise: Guidance on selecting the optimal alloy (C62700, C63000, C954, etc.) for your specific load, speed, and environmental conditions.
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Custom Manufacturing: We produce finished C62700 aluminum bronze slide plates, wear pads, and bushings to your exact drawings and specifications.
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Full Technical Support: From prototype to production, with quality certifications and material test reports.
Ready to specify the ultimate material for your toughest bearing and wear challenges? Contact our engineering team today for a technical datasheet, a competitive quote, or a consultation on your custom C62700 aluminum bronze component requirements.
