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Spinodal Bronzes

Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich

Spinodal bronzes are ternary copper-nickel-tin alloys possessing high mechanical strength due to a controlled heat treatment called Spinodal decomposition.

Spinodal decomposition is a spontaneous phase nanoscale separation (clustering) occurring in homogeneous supersaturated solutions (liquid or solid), which results in formation of two phases of different compositions but with identical crystal structure.
Spinodal phases form without nucleation and needs no incubation period.

Spinodal bronzes contain 5-15% of nickel (Ni) and 5-8% of tin (Sn).
According to the Unified Numbering System (UNS) spinodal bronzes relate to Copper-Nickel Alloys.
Spinodal bronzes are characterized by:

In many applications spinodal bronzes replace hazardous beryllium copper (beryllium bronze).

Copper-Nickel alloys are used for manufacturing sliding bearing and bushings, pumps parts (shafts, stators, rotors, sealers, bushings), electric connector parts (spring contacts, clips, etc.), the watch industry (hands, wheels, bridge, etc.), automotive industry (valve guides, roller bearing cages, cam roller pins, wrist pin bushings, thrust washers), mining equipment (rifle nuts, piston rings, guide bushings, spindle bearings), aircraft parts (landing gear bearings, guide plates, shaft bearings, spherical bearings), metal forming equipment (rolls, punches, die inserts, guides, slides).

Chemical compositions of some Spinodal Bronzes

UNS Designation Trade mark Ni,% Sn,% Zn,% Pb,% Cu,%
Spinodal Bronze Nicomet 4.5-6.0 4.5-6.0 1.5-2.0 0.01 max. balance
C96970 ToughMet2 CX 8.5-9.5 5.5-6.5 - 0.02 max. balance
C96900 ToughMet3 CX 14.5-15.5 7.5-8.5 - 0.02 max. balance
C72900 ToughMet3 AT 14.5-15.5 7.5-8.5 - 0.02 max. balance
C72900 ToughMet3 TS 14.5-15.5 7.5-8.5 - 0.02 max. balance

Properties of some Spinodal Bronzes

(Materials Data)

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