Guides/Comparisons
Copper vs bronze
copper-vs-bronzeCopper (Cu) and Aluminium bronze C95400 at a glance
This page compares Copper (Cu) and Aluminium bronze C95400 using only values that carry a source, a test condition and an evidence level. Ranges run across temper, heat treatment and product form, measured at room temperature where the source says so.
- Composition: Copper (copper 100.0%; bronze C954 83%).
- Yield strength: bronze C954 is higher (copper 69 MPa; bronze C954 at least 205 MPa), about 3.7 times the midpoint of copper.
- Tensile strength: bronze C954 is higher (copper 179 to 262 MPa; bronze C954 at least 515 MPa), about 2.7 times the midpoint of copper.
- Density: copper is higher (copper 8.9 to 8.96 g/cm³; bronze C954 7.45 g/cm³), about 1.2 times the midpoint of bronze C954.
- Young's modulus: copper is higher (copper 117 GPa; bronze C954 107 GPa), a difference of under 10% at the midpoint.
- Thermal conductivity: copper is higher (copper 391 W/(m·K); bronze C954 58.7 W/(m·K)), about 6.7 times the midpoint of bronze C954.
- Melting point: copper is higher (copper 1,083 to 1,085 °C; bronze C954 1,027 to 1,038 °C), a difference of under 10% at the midpoint.
- Thermal expansion: copper is higher (copper 17.6 ppm/K; bronze C954 15.5 to 16.2 ppm/K), about 1.1 times the midpoint of bronze C954.
"Higher" means the whole range is higher, not just one value. Where a value is a specified minimum, the table says "at least".
Side by side
| Property | Copper (Cu) | Aluminium bronze C95400 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | 69 MPa | at least 205 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 179 to 262 MPa | at least 515 MPa |
| Density | 8.9 to 8.96 g/cm³ | 7.45 g/cm³ |
| Young's modulus | 117 GPa | 107 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | 391 W/(m·K) | 58.7 W/(m·K) |
| Melting point | 1,083 to 1,085 °C | 1,027 to 1,038 °C |
| Service temperature | no data | 399 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 17.6 ppm/K | 15.5 to 16.2 ppm/K |
Composition
| Element | Copper (Cu) | Aluminium bronze C95400 |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | 100.0% | 83% |
| Aluminium | not listed | 10 to 11.5% |
| Iron | not listed | 3 to 5% |
Shares are as printed in the sources, by weight.
When to use which
| Material | Best for | Weakest at |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | Carrying electricity and heat: 100 %IACS electrical conductivity and 391 W/(m·K) thermal conductivity in the soft oxygen-free grade | Strength in the soft state (69 MPa yield), and survival of the cell's copper foil if the cell is over-discharged (dissolution above about 3.5 V vs Li+/Li in a model) |
| Aluminium bronze C95400 | Heavily loaded, low-speed bearings, worm gears and valve parts, and marine hardware in seawater (Concast, Bunting, Wikipedia) | Dealuminification in seawater crevices, under deposits or with galvanic coupling, and oxyacetylene welding (not recommended by Concast) |
Where each is used
| Material | Use |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | Negative-electrode current collector foil in lithium-ion cells |
| Copper (Cu) | Printed circuit boards |
| Copper (Cu) | Heat spreading and conductive paths |
| Copper (Cu) | Telecommunication cables and electrical conductors |
| Aluminium bronze C95400 | Bearings, bushings, spur gears and heavily loaded worm gears |
| Aluminium bronze C95400 | Covers for marine hardware and ship building parts |
| Aluminium bronze C95400 | Pump parts, valve bodies, valve guides, valve seats and valves |