Bronze
Online Metals offers the widest selection of bronze for heavy-duty and artistic use. From bearing bronze to architectural alloys, we provide durable, low-friction materials with no minimums. We support the needs of machinists, sculptors, and marine engineers with fast, direct shipping.
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The Most Brass Shapes and Alloys
Onlinemetals carries the industry’s largest selection of brass shapes, alloys, and tempers. From standard options like sheet, round bar, and flat bar to specialty shapes like rectangle tube and half oval, you’ll find the brass material you need for nearly any project.
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Bronze is a durable alloy primarily composed of copper and tin, distinguished by its exceptional resistance to wear, low metal-to-metal friction, and superior performance in harsh environments. It naturally provides self-lubricating qualities—especially in specific bearing grades—making it indispensable for heavy-load applications where steel would gall or seize against another moving part. Additionally, alloys like aluminum bronze and silicon bronze offer outstanding resistance to saltwater corrosion and fatigue, while providing excellent castability for both complex industrial components and highly detailed artistic sculptures.
Learn More About Bronze
Thinking about using bronze for your next project? Historically significant and mechanically vital, bronze (usually copper and tin) is the go-to metal for reducing friction and resisting wear. To help you choose, here are five important factors when selecting bronze:
- Low Metal-to-Metal Friction Bronze is prized for its self-lubricating properties (especially oil-impregnated grades) and low friction. This makes it the standard material for bushings and bearings that must slide against steel shafts without seizing or galling.
- Marine Grade Toughness Bronze, particularly Aluminum Bronze and Silicon Bronze, offers exceptional resistance to saltwater corrosion and biofouling. It is stronger and more durable in marine environments than brass or even some stainless steels.
- C932 (Bearing Bronze): Excellent machining and wear properties for general bushings.
- C954 (Aluminum Bronze): High strength and corrosion resistance for heavy loads.
- C655 (Silicon Bronze): Great for welding and artistic fabrication.
- Work Hardening Many bronze alloys harden rapidly when worked. While this increases strength, it means machinists must use sharp tools and aggressive feeds to cut the material effectively before it hardens under the tool bit.
- Aesthetics and Sculpture Silicon bronze is the primary choice for casting sculptures. It flows well into molds to capture fine detail and takes patinas beautifully, allowing artists to achieve a range of colors from deep browns to verdant greens.
Some common uses for bronze:
- Plumbing fittings and valves
- Bushings and bearings
- Marine propellers and underwater fittings
- Sculptures and statues
- Worm gears
- Electrical connectors
- Architectural trim
How Online Metals Can Help You Online Metals makes it easy to find exactly what materials you need. With the widest selection of bronze sheet, plate, bar, and tube in the U.S., we deliver both to businesses and homes with no minimum orders. We offer high-tolerance custom cuts, all supported by our first-in-class customer support, fast order processing, and economical on-time delivery.
Bronze FAQs
What are the different bronze alloys used for?
Bronze Type
Alloys
When to Use
Bronze TypeSilicon Bronze
Alloys655, 673
When to UseApplications that require superior corrosion resistance with high machinability and excellent bearing properties.
Bronze TypeAluminum Bronze
Alloys954
When to UseApplications that require high strength, excellent corrosion and wear resistance, and ease of casting.
Bronze TypePhosphor Bronze
Alloys510, 544
When to UseApplications that require high formability, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance. Also great for spring applications.
Bronze TypeManganese Bronze
Alloys863, SAE 863
When to UseApplications that require strength and longevity in heavily lubricated environments.
Bronze TypeBearing Bronze
Alloys932
When to UseApplications that require excellent machining and anti-friction properties, while also needing good wear resistance.
Bronze TypeBismuth Bronze
AlloysC89835
When to UseBearing applications where lead free material is required.
Bronze TypeSintered Bronze
AlloysSAE 841
When to UseApplications that require high strength, temperature resistance, and wear resistance due to the oil impregnation.
Bronze TypeNickel Aluminum Bronze
Alloys630
When to UseApplications that require corrosion resistance, and very high strength but also require excellent ductility and toughness.
Bronze TypeSilicon Aluminum Bronze
Alloys642
When to UseApplications that require self-lubricating properties along with high strength.
Bronze TypeManganese Silicon Bronze
Alloys673
When to UseApplications that require excellent machinability in high load, low speed applications.
What does “as cast” mean on continuous cast bronze bars?
The “as cast” finish on all continuous cast bronze bars refers to extra material added to make the bar oversized. This extra material allows the user to machine down the stroke marks and surface imperfections caused during the casting process. All bronze alloys of this bar stock will finish to the listed dimensions.
What bronze alloy works best for art castings (statues etc.)?
There are several bronze alloys created specifically for casting. We focus on bronze alloys that are designed for strength or machining requirements used in manufacturing processes. We do stock aluminum bronze, which may be used for casting, but it is a stronger alloy normally not required when using for art castings.
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