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Copper Alloy

C932 Bronze

C932 (SAE 660) is a leaded tin bronze and the standard bearing-and-bushing material. Its blend of copper, tin, lead, and zinc gives self-lubricating, low-friction behavior, good load capacity (310 MPa tensile), and solid corrosion resistance (4/5). It's the default sleeve-bearing bronze across general machinery.

How C932 Bronze machines

Rated 3.5/5. The lead content breaks chips and lubricates the cut, so it machines reasonably well, better than unleaded bronzes but short of free-cutting brass. Standard carbide or HSS tooling and moderate speeds work fine. It's commonly bored and turned to size for bushings, holding good finishes for bearing surfaces.

Manufacturing & processing

Primarily CNC machined, and often supplied as continuous-cast bar or centrifugal castings sized for bushings. The lead limits welding; joining is by mechanical means. It runs against steel shafts with good embeddability (absorbing debris) and conformability. Provide proper lubrication and clearance in service. Not heat-treatable for strength.

Typical applications

Sleeve bearings and bushings, thrust washers, and wear plates; pump and valve components; bushings for pins, hinges, and linkages; general machinery where a journal rides in a bronze bore. The everyday choice wherever a low-friction, moderately loaded plain bearing is needed.

When to choose it

Choose C932 when you need a general-purpose plain bearing or bushing with good machinability, embeddability, and corrosion resistance at moderate loads and speeds. For higher loads or marine propulsion, step to nickel-aluminum bronze (C630). For dry or low-maintenance running, consider a self-lubricating sintered bronze.

Suitable surface finishes

Common finishes for C932 Bronze: nickel plating, chrome plating, electropolishing, brushed. Use the finish selector →

FAQ

What makes C932 good for bearings?
Its leaded tin-bronze structure gives low friction, embeddability (the soft lead phase absorbs hard debris instead of scoring the shaft), and conformability to slight misalignment, plus good corrosion resistance. Those bearing-specific traits, not raw strength, make C932 (SAE 660) the standard sleeve-bushing material.
Can C932 bronze be welded?
Not readily. The lead content that improves machining and bearing performance causes weld porosity and cracking. C932 parts are machined and assembled mechanically rather than welded. If a fusion-joined bronze is required, choose a lead-free grade such as aluminum or silicon bronze instead.
When should I choose C630 over C932?
Choose nickel-aluminum bronze C630 when loads, speeds, or corrosion severity exceed what a leaded bearing bronze handles, such as marine propellers, heavily loaded gears, or seawater pumps. C932 is the economical pick for general moderate-duty bushings; C630 trades easier machining for much higher strength.

Property values are typical/nominal for early guidance and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specs against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer.