Phosphor Bronze & Leaded Bronze

The inherent characteristics of phosphor bronze and leaded bronze make them ideal materials for use in many applications where load, durability, wear-resistance and strength are key.

Available in both wrought and cast form, phosphor bronze and leaded bronze are used throughout many engineering industries and are ideal for heavy-duty components such as shafts, bearings and gears.

Leaded bronzes and gunmetals offer better machining characteristics than other bronzes while maintaining a good balance of corrosion resistance and strength.

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General Information for Phosphor & Leaded Bronze

Phosphor Bronzes Overview

Phosphor bronzes and tin bronzes are an alloy group with the primary content of copper, tin and phosphorous.

Usually, this balance is divided into 0.5 to 11% tin, and 0.01 to 0.35% phosphorous.

The tin element increases both the corrosion resistance and material strength of the alloy, while the phosphorous influence increases wear resistance and rigidity.

Phosphor bronze has excellent spring qualities, high resistance to fatigue, high corrosion resistance, and are superb to solder and form.

Primarily used in electricals, other uses can extend to spring washers and corrosion resistant bellows, bolts, bearings, dental bridges, ships propellers, and the reed components of organs and pipes.

The leaded phosphor bronzes combine this strength with high wear resistance, good thermal properties, substantial load-bearing capacity and better machinability, and are used for sleeve bearings, nuts, screws, electrical plugs and wiring, and doorknobs.

A phosphor bronze composition of 94.8% copper, 5% tin and 0.2% phosphorous is also used for cryogenic applications. Its combination of low thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity enables it to make electrical connections to devices at extremely low temperatures without adding heat.

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Phosphor Bronze & Leaded Bronze Weight Calculator

All weights shown using this metal weight calculator are for guidance only. They are calculated using nominal dimensions and scientifically recognised densities. Please note that in practice, the actual metal weight can vary significantly from theoretical weight due to variations in manufacturing tolerances and compositions.

Find your local Service Centre

An extensive UK network of Service Centres, backed up by a central distribution facility.

  • Experienced multi-product specialists

  • In-house state of the art processing facilities

  • Large fleet of bespoke delivery vehicles

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Phosphor leaded bronze