C93200 vs C95400 Bronze: Which Material Should You Choose?
If your drawing could use either C93200 / SAE 660 bearing bronze or C95400 aluminum bronze, the decision usually comes down to the working conditions around the part.
Choose C93200 when the part needs good bearing behavior, easier machining, shaft friendliness, and reliable performance under moderate load and speed. Choose C95400 when the part needs higher strength, better resistance to shock loading, and stronger wear performance in heavy-duty service.
For a quote, send the drawing, shaft material, load, speed, lubrication method, quantity, and finished dimensions. Precision Bronze can help review whether the part should stay with SAE 660 bearing bronze or move to aluminum bronze.
The Short Answer
- Use C93200 / SAE 660 for general-purpose sleeve bushings, flanged bushings, thrust washers, and bearing parts running under moderate load and moderate speed. It machines well, holds lubrication, and is more forgiving when the mating shaft or alignment is not perfect.
- Use C95400 for heavy-load bushings, wear plates, gears, valve components, and impact-prone parts. It is much stronger and harder than C93200, but it normally needs reliable lubrication and a compatible shaft surface to avoid galling.
Side-by-Side Mechanical Properties
Published values vary by casting method, section size, and specification. The values below are common U.S. datasheet figures used for engineering and sourcing review.
| Mechanical property | C93200 / SAE 660 bearing bronze | C95400 aluminum bronze |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 35,000 psi minimum, continuous cast; lower minimums may apply for sand or centrifugal cast forms | 85,000 psi minimum, sand cast; 75,000 psi minimum, centrifugal cast |
| Yield strength | 20,000 psi minimum, continuous cast; lower minimums may apply for sand or centrifugal cast forms | 35,000 psi minimum, sand cast; 30,000 psi minimum, centrifugal cast |
| Brinell hardness | 55-70 HB typical | 150-170 HB typical, depending on casting form |
| Elongation | About 10% in 2 in. | 12-18% in 2 in., depending on casting form |
| Machinability rating | 70, based on free-cutting brass = 100 | 60, based on free-cutting brass = 100 |
| Main advantage | Bearing performance, embeddability, conformability, and shaft friendliness | Strength, hardness, impact resistance, and heavy-duty wear performance |
The numbers explain why the two alloys behave so differently. C93200 is a leaded tin bronze designed around bearing service. C95400 is an aluminum bronze built for strength and deformation resistance.
When C93200 / SAE 660 Is the Better Choice
C93200 is often the safer starting point when the part is a plain bearing, sleeve bushing, washer, or moderate-duty wear component. Its lead content improves machinability and helps the bearing surface tolerate small particles, minor misalignment, and imperfect lubrication better than harder aluminum bronze.
Good applications for C93200 include:
- Sleeve bushings and flanged bushings.
- Thrust washers and bearing plates.
- Pump bushings and machine tool components.
- General industrial replacement bearings.
- Parts running against unhardened or moderately hardened steel shafts.
If the application may see short lubrication interruptions, C93200 is often more forgiving than C95400. It is not the strongest bronze, but it is one of the most widely used bearing bronzes because it balances wear behavior, machinability, and cost.
View C93200 bearing bronze material data
When C95400 Aluminum Bronze Is the Better Choice
C95400 is the better candidate when the part is expected to carry higher loads, resist impact, or hold shape under severe service. It is much harder than C93200 and is commonly selected for heavy equipment, gears, wear plates, valve components, pump parts, and demanding industrial bushings.
Good applications for C95400 include:
- Heavy-load bushings and bearings.
- Wear plates, guide plates, and sliding components.
- Gears, worm wheels, and high-impact bronze parts.
- Valve guides, seats, and pump components.
- Industrial equipment rebuild parts exposed to shock loading.
Because C95400 is harder, the surrounding design matters. The shaft material, hardness, lubrication method, and surface finish should be reviewed before replacing C93200 with aluminum bronze. A harder bronze running against a soft or poorly lubricated shaft can accelerate shaft wear.
View C95400 aluminum bronze material data
Selection Checklist for Your Drawing
Before changing the alloy callout, review these points:
| Question | If the answer points to C93200 | If the answer points to C95400 |
|---|---|---|
| What is the load level? | Moderate load | Heavy load, shock load, or deformation risk |
| How important is shaft friendliness? | Very important | Less important if the shaft is hardened and lubricated |
| Is lubrication reliable? | Intermittent or imperfect lubrication | Reliable lubrication film expected |
| Is machining cost important? | Easier machining is preferred | Strength is more important than machining ease |
| What is the part type? | General bushing, washer, or bearing sleeve | Wear plate, gear, heavy bushing, or impact part |
Available Forms and RFQ Details
Precision Bronze can quote both alloys as stock forms or finished machined parts depending on the drawing and quantity. Common sourcing paths include bronze solid bar, bronze cored bar, bronze flat plate, wear plates, and custom CNC bronze parts.
For the fastest quote, send:
- Material callout or the current drawing note.
- OD, ID, length, plate thickness, or finished dimensions.
- Quantity and annual usage if available.
- Tolerances, surface finish, grooves, holes, or lubrication details.
- Shaft material, shaft hardness, load, speed, and operating environment.