Phosphor Bronze | C51000, C54400, C51900 Rods, Sheets & Bushings

Chemical Composition

Phosphor Bronze alloys are copper–tin–phosphorus systems known for excellent fatigue resistance, toughness, and low coefficient of friction. The controlled addition of phosphorus increases strength, stiffness, and wear resistance while maintaining corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.

The following table outlines the typical chemical composition ranges for common industrial grades.

Note: Actual composition may vary slightly depending on manufacturing process, form (rod, sheet, strip), and specification standard (ASTM, EN, BS, or JIS). All alloys conform to ASTM B103, B139, and B159 standards.

Mechanical, Physical & Fabrication Properties

Phosphor Bronze alloys offer an exceptional balance of strength, ductility, fatigue resistance, and corrosion protection. These copper–tin–phosphorus alloys retain toughness even at low temperatures and resist wear, deformation, and fatigue, making them ideal for high-performance springs, bushings, bearings, and electrical contacts. The addition of lead in C54400 enhances machinability without sacrificing strength or corrosion resistance.

Note: The above values are typical for standard mill-rolled and drawn tempers and may vary slightly depending on product form, processing, and specific international standard (ASTM B103, B139, EN 12163, or BS 2870).

Applications

Phosphor Bronze alloys are valued for their combination of strength, elasticity, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for precision components, electrical parts, and marine hardware. With excellent spring properties and anti-friction characteristics, they perform reliably under high stress, fatigue, and sliding conditions.

• Electrical connectors, contacts, relays, and switch components
• Precision springs and diaphragms for mechanical and electronic assemblies
• Bearings, bushings, and wear plates with self-lubricating properties
• Gears, worm wheels, and sliding components subject to heavy loads
• Marine hardware and corrosion-resistant fasteners
• Instrumentation parts, bellows, and washers
• Electrical terminals and fuse clips (C51000, C51900)
• Machined components requiring close tolerances (C54400 – leaded type)
• Industrial and decorative metalwork applications
• Automotive and aerospace electrical assemblies

Note: C51000 and C51900 are typically chosen for spring and electrical applications due to their higher strength, while C54400 (Leaded Phosphor Bronze) is preferred where superior machinability and wear resistance are required.

Standards & International Equivalents:

Phosphor Bronze alloys conform to a wide range of international standards, ensuring consistent quality and performance across electrical, mechanical, and marine industries. The equivalence chart below outlines the most recognized global specifications.

Note: Standards and equivalents are provided for reference; users should verify material grade and specifications based on application and governing industry standards.

Common Names & International Identifiers

Phosphor Bronze alloys are globally recognized under a range of trade names, specifications, and engineering identifiers. These copper-tin-phosphorus alloys (often with small additions of zinc or lead) are known for their excellent strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and spring properties, making them highly preferred in electrical, marine, and mechanical engineering applications.

These international designations ensure reliable global reference for sourcing Phosphor Bronze (C51000 / C51900 / C54400) across electrical, mechanical, and marine engineering sectors, guaranteeing consistency in material performance and standards compliance.

Common Product Forms & Dimensions

Phosphor Bronze alloys (C51000, C51900, and C54400) are available in a wide range of semi-finished and finished forms, offering designers and manufacturers exceptional flexibility for precision and structural applications. Commonly supplied as plate, sheet, rod, bar, wire, tube, and fasteners, these alloys can be customized in multiple sizes and tempers to meet specific mechanical and fabrication requirements.

Available Forms

Common Size Ranges

C51000 (CuSn5)

• Sheet / Plate / Strip: Thickness 0.1 mm – 120 mm (0.008″ – 0.5″+); Width 10 mm – 3000 mm
• Rod / Bar: Diameter / Width 3 mm – 500 mm (1/8″ – 6″+); Forms: Round, Square, Hex, Flat, Hollow
• Wire: Diameter 0.5 mm – 12 mm
• Tube: Outside Diameter (OD) 5.0 mm – 100.0 mm

C51900 (CuSn6)

• Sheet / Plate / Strip: Thickness 0.05 mm – 50 mm; Width 10 mm – 1500 mm
• Bar: Diameter / Width Ø5 mm – 200 mm; Forms: Round, Hex, Flat, Square
• Wire: Diameter Ø0.1 mm – 12 mm
• Tube: Outside Diameter (OD) Ø3 mm – 150 mm

C54400 (CuSn4Zn4Pb4)

• Rod / Bar: Diameter 3 mm – 500 mm (1/8″ – 2-3/4″ OD for solids / hex); Forms: Round, Hex, Square, Flat, Solids, Specialized Fasteners
• Other Forms: Plate, Sheet, and custom sections available upon request for specific applications.

Note: The exact dimensions, tempers, and tolerances may vary depending on the supplier, casting or rolling process, and end-use application. All products can be supplied in cut-to-length, pre-machined, or precision-finished conditions with full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1).