Low Volume CNC Machining: Advantages, Applications and Design Tips
In manufacturing, multiple practices are followed to produce parts. One traditional approach is the mass production of parts to bring...
Bronze CNC Machining Service
Take advantage of advanced CNC machining capabilities, high-quality finishes, and efficient production of custom bronze parts. Get an instant quote and free Design for Manufacturability analysis.
Bronze in CNC Machining
Bronze is a durable and versatile material formed from a combination of copper, tin, and lead. It boasts exceptional machinability, with a perfect index of 100%. The addition of lead contributes to its excellent machinability. Known for its excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity, bronze is widely used in various industries such as marine, aerospace, and industrial machinery. It provides reliable performance and longevity in demanding applications. This material’s mechanical properties make it more suitable for low-stress components produced through CNC machining. Bronze machining is a popular method for creating a variety of products, including bearings, electrical conductors, bushings, marine equipment, and more.
| Available Bronze at RapidDirect: | Tin Bronze |
| Price: | $$$ |
| Lead Time: | About 5 days |
| Wall Thickness: | 0.5 mm |
| Tolerances: | ±0.005″ (±0.125mm) |
| Max Part Size: | 200 cm x 80 cm x 100 cm |
Tin Bronze
This high-performance alloy is known for its superior strength, corrosion resistance, and excellent wear properties. It typically consists of a range of tin content (from .5% to 1%) and phosphorus content (from .01% to .35%). This combination offers exceptional strength, long-lasting durability, a refined grain structure, excellent resistance to fatigue and wear, and a minimal coefficient of friction. It is often used for electrical components, anti-corrosive equipment, springs, washers, and bellows.
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 - 370 | 100 - 250 | 5 - 30 | 60 - 150 | 8.7 - 8.9 |
Surface Finishing Options for Bronze
Surface finish may sometimes not be necessary due to the unique properties of bronze. Nevertheless, bronze parts can be enhanced through various surface finishing options to improve their appearance, performance, and durability. RapidDirect provides a variety of surface finishing services that are highly compatible with bronze materials. These can involve surface treatments such as sandblasting, tumbling, electropolishing, painting, electroplating, or chemical coatings to prevent oxidation.
As machined
Leaves the surface with visible tool marks and no additional treatment. This is a basic finish after machining.
Polishing
A common finishing method for bronze, polishing will create a smooth and reflective surface, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
Sand Blasting
Sandblasting can give bronze a matte or textured surface, which may be desired for decorative purposes or to remove oxidation.
Tumbling
Tumbling smooths out rough edges and improves the surface texture, typically leaving a matte finish.
Electropolish
Electropolishing provides a bright, mirror-like finish to bronze, enhancing corrosion resistance and appearance.
Alodine
This is typically used for aluminum, but some chemical films can be applied to bronze for corrosion resistance.
Heat Treatment
While heat treatment is more commonly used for adjusting the mechanical properties of metals, it can also affect the surface appearance by altering the oxidation state of bronze.
Black Oxidize
This process can be applied to bronze to give it a blackened, protective oxide layer, enhancing both corrosion resistance and appearance.
Electroless Nickel
Adds a thin layer of nickel to the surface of bronze, enhancing its corrosion resistance and wear properties.
Chrome Plating
Typically used for aesthetic purposes, this can be applied to bronze to give a shiny, durable finish.
Powder Coating
Powder coating can be used on bronze, offering a durable and colorful finish with excellent corrosion resistance.
Brushed Finish
Brushing creates a textured finish on bronze, often giving a matte, linear appearance, used for decorative purposes.
Pros and Cons of
Bronze CNC Machining
Bronze CNC machining offers a range of benefits and some limitations. Understanding these can help determine if bronze is the right material for your project.
Pros
- High Strength and Durability: Bronze offers excellent tensile strength and durability, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
- Corrosion Resistance: It is highly resistant to corrosion, especially in marine environments, which enhances its longevity.
- Excellent Machinability: Despite its hardness, bronze can be machined effectively with the right tools and settings. Thanks to the addition of lead.
- Thermal Conductivity: Bronze’s good thermal conductivity makes it beneficial for heat exchange applications.
- Low Friction Coefficient: This is highly beneficial in applications that require minimized friction and wear, such as sliding components and bearings.
Cons
- Higher Cost: Bronze can be more expensive than some other metals, which may impact project budgets.
- Tool Wear: The hardness of bronze can cause significant tool wear, requiring frequent tool maintenance or replacement.
- High Heat Production: Machining bronze typically produces a higher amount of heat compared to working with harder metals. This excessive heat can have an impact on the longevity and performance of the tools.
Applications of
CNC Machined Bronze Parts
Project managers in various fields use bronze in many applications because of its durability and longevity. Some typical applications of these bronze CNC machined components are:
- Aerospace Components: Used in bushings and landing gear components due to its strength and reliability under stress.
- Marine Hardware: Examples include propellers, bearings, and underwater fittings, taking advantage of bronze’s resistance to seawater corrosion.
- Industrial Machinery: Bronze gears, bearings, and bushings are common due to their durability and wear resistance.
- Electrical Contacts: Its excellent conductivity makes bronze ideal for electrical connectors and switches.
- Art and Sculpture: Bronze’s aesthetic qualities and workability make it a popular choice for sculptures and decorative items.
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FAQs
Bronze is generally easy to machine compared, although it requires sharp tools and appropriate cutting speeds to handle its hardness. Working with bronze requires a deep understanding of its properties and the ability to shape it into precise bronze component. Its good machinability makes it suitable for producing complex parts with high precision.
Bronze typically has better machinability than brass due to its lower zinc concentration and increased flexibility. Its composition of lead also makes it more easy to machine. Brass contains copper and zinc, and can become brittle. It may become difficult to machine in high-speed machining operations.
Preferred grades of bronze for CNC machining include:
- Tin Bronze (e.g., C90300, C90500) for its excellent strength and corrosion resistance
- Aluminum Bronze (e.g., C95400) for its high strength and wear resistance
- Silicon Bronze (e.g., C65500) for its good machinability and corrosion resistance.
Generally, bronze grades with a higher copper content are considered optimal for CNC machining operations.
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