What Are The Best Bronze Grades for CNC Machining?

When you want the best bronze for machining, you pick from these grades: C932 (SAE 660), C954, C260, C510, 642, C630, and C863. These bronze types are good because they are easy to machine, strong, and last a long time. C932, C954, and C510 are used a lot in cnc machining for bearings, pumps, and electrical connectors. Each bronze grade has special features, so you can choose the right one for your job.

Here is a quick look at some popular bronze grades and their uses:

Grade	Machinability	Typical Uses
C932	High	Bearings, bushings
C954	Medium	Pumps, marine hardware
C510	Good	Springs, electrical connectors

• Pick the best bronze grade for your CNC project. Some common choices are C932, C954, and C510. Each one works well for different jobs.

• Bronze is easy to machine and lasts a long time. It gives a smooth finish and does not wear out fast. This makes it good for parts that rub or get pushed.

• Think about what your project needs. Look at things like how strong the bronze is. Check if it can fight rust and if it is easy to machine.

• Use the right machining steps to get good results. Use cutting fluids to help. Watch your tools so they do not get worn out. Make sure chips are controlled for better work and parts.

• Ask experts for help if you need it. JOC Machinery can help you pick the right bronze grade. They can also help you during your machining work.

  
  

Why Choose Bronze for CNC Machining

Machinability Benefits

Bronze is strong and easy to work with. It gives a smooth finish and does not wear down tools quickly. You can make detailed parts because bronze bends well. Aluminum is softer, so it is easier to cut. Brass cuts fast and makes tiny chips. Bronze is harder to machine than brass. But bronze parts last longer and work better.

Tip: For better accuracy and control, use bronze alloys with lead or tin. These help make machining easier and control chip size.

Durability and Performance

Bronze lasts a long time and works well under stress. It is good for parts that face friction and tough conditions. Tin bronze, phosphor bronze, and aluminum bronze are strong and resist wearing out. They also fight rust and damage from water. Bronze is great for bushings, gears, and marine parts. It has low friction, so moving parts last longer. Bronze does not rust easily, even in salty or acidic places.

Bronze Alloy	Properties
Tin Bronze (SAE 660)	Wears out slowly, strong, and resists rust
Phosphor Bronze	Very strong, does not rust in sea water
Aluminum Bronze	Gets hard easily, fights rust very well
Silicon Bronze	Resists rust in salt water and acid
Copper-Nickel Bronze	Fights rust, strong, and tough in hot or cold
Leaded Bronze	Easier to machine because lead helps cutting
Beryllium Bronze	Very strong and carries electricity well

Common Applications

Bronze machining is used in many fields. It makes parts for boats, machines, electrical items, and musical instruments. Bronze is chosen for propellers, bushings, bearings, connectors, and springs. It is also used for railings and fasteners because it looks nice and does not rust.

Application Category	Specific Uses
Marine Applications	Propellers, fittings, valve parts
Industrial Machinery	Bushings, bearings
Electrical Components	Connectors, springs
Architectural and Aesthetic	Railings, fasteners
Musical Instruments	Cymbals, strings

Bronze machining gives you strong, easy-to-work parts that last a long time. It is a good choice for many jobs.

Top Bronze Grades for CNC Machining

When picking cnc machining bronze, you should know each grade is different. Each bronze type has special things that make it good for certain jobs. Let’s look at the best bronze grades for cnc machining.

C932 (SAE 660) Bearing Bronze

C932, also called SAE 660, is a very popular bronze grade for cnc machining bronze parts. It is easy to machine and works well for many things. This bronze is strong, wears out slowly, and does not rust fast. It is great for moving parts that need to last.

Key Properties:

Property	Value
Tensile Strength	35 ksi
Yield Strength	20 ksi
Elongation	10%
Density	0.322 lb/in³
Modulus of Elasticity	14,500 ksi

Common Uses:

• Bearings and bushings

• Pumps and valve parts

• Washers and fasteners

• Machine tool bearings

• Automotive fittings

C932 is a top pick for cnc machining bronze bushings, thrust washers, and pump parts. It works well for medium loads and speeds.

C954 Aluminum Bronze

C954 aluminum bronze is strong and does not wear out fast. You can use this bronze for heavy-duty cnc machining bronze parts. It has aluminum, which makes it harder and helps stop rust.

Key Properties and Uses:

Bronze Alloy (UNS No.)	Common Name	Machinability Rating	Common Applications
C95400	Aluminum Bronze	60	Heavy-duty bearings, bushings, gears, valve parts, marine hardware

People often use C954 for gears, bushings, and marine hardware. It is good in tough places where you need strong parts that last.

C260 Cartridge Brass

C260, called cartridge brass, is a copper-zinc alloy. It is not really a bronze, but people use it in cnc machining bronze jobs because it is easy to work with. This alloy is simple to shape and cut, so it is good for tricky parts.

Key Characteristics:

Characteristic	Description
High Strength and Durability	Tensile strength from 380–550 MPa, good for automotive and hardware parts
Excellent Workability	Easy to form into complex shapes, ideal for precision cnc machining bronze components
Corrosion Resistance	Good in fresh and saltwater, used in plumbing and marine parts
Electrical Conductivity	28% IACS, good for electrical connectors
Attractive Appearance	Golden-yellow color, easy to polish, used for decorative parts

You can use C260 for ammo casings, musical instruments, plumbing, and electronic connectors. It can be pulled into thin wires or sheets.

C510 Phosphor Bronze

C510 phosphor bronze is a tough and strong alloy. It is good for cnc machining bronze parts that must handle stress and wear. It has tin and phosphorus, which make it stronger and help stop rust.

Main Properties and Uses:

Property	Description
Mechanical Properties	High tensile strength (up to 450 MPa), excellent fatigue resistance
Corrosion Resistance	Improved resistance to corrosion
Wear Resistance	Superior wear resistance, ideal for moving parts
Electrical Conductivity	Good for electrical connectors
Typical Applications	Automotive parts, electrical connectors, springs, gears

You can use C510 for springs, bushings, gears, and connectors. It is a great choice for precision cnc machining bronze parts in electronics and machines.

642 Bronze

642 bronze is a silicon-aluminum bronze. This alloy is strong and easy to machine. It does not rust and wears well, even in hard places. You can use it for valve stems, fasteners, and marine hardware.

• High strength and toughness

• Good machinability for cnc machining bronze parts

• Excellent resistance to corrosion, especially in marine settings

• Used for valve stems, bushings, and high-strength fasteners

  
  

C630 Nickel Aluminum Bronze

C630 nickel aluminum bronze is one of the strongest bronze alloys for cnc machining bronze. It has nickel, aluminum, and iron, which make it very strong and hard. You use this bronze when you need parts that can take heavy loads and lots of wear.

Mechanical Properties:

Property	Value (Typical)
Tensile Strength	520–620 MPa
Yield Strength	400–500 MPa
Hardness	180–220 HB

You can use C630 for heavy-duty bearings, gears, and marine hardware. It is perfect for cnc machining bronze parts that face lots of rubbing and need to last.

C863 Leaded Tin Bronze

C863 leaded tin bronze is a strong alloy with lead added. The lead makes it easier to machine, so you can make tricky cnc machining bronze parts. This bronze is good for heavy-duty jobs that move slowly.

Applications and Machinability:

Application Type	Description
Valve/Hydraulic Parts	Used in valve and hydraulic components
Load Bearings	Great for heavy-duty load-bearing applications
Gear Castings	Used for gears and wear hardware
Architectural Elements	Valued for long life in buildings

• Machinability rating of 80, so you can machine it easily

• Used for bridge turntables, gears, and valve stems

• Handles heavy loads at low speeds

Tip: If you need cnc machining bronze parts for tough and tricky shapes, C863 is a smart pick.

Picking the right bronze for cnc machining depends on what your project needs. Each bronze grade gives special benefits for different cnc machining bronze jobs. You can count on these grades to give you strong, long-lasting, and accurate parts for your next project.

Comparing Bronze Machining Grades

Machinability Comparison

When you pick bronze for cnc machining, you want to know how easy it is to shape. Machinability means how quickly you can cut, drill, or mill bronze without hurting your tools. Some bronze alloys have lead. Lead helps chips break off and makes machining smoother. You get better results and save time.

Here is a table that shows how different bronze grades compare in machinability. The scores use C360 Free Cutting Brass as a baseline of 100.

Bronze Grade	Relative Machinability (vs C360 Brass = 100)
C54400 (Leaded)	80
High Lead	70-80+
Other Grades	20-50
Tougher, Gummy	20-60
Additional Grades	30-60

If you want fast and easy bronze cnc machining, choose a leaded bronze like C54400. Tougher bronze grades need slower speeds and sharper tools. High-lead bronze gives smoother finishes.

Tip: Always check the machinability rating before you start cnc machining. This helps you plan your work and pick the right bronze.

Strength and Wear Resistance

Bronze is strong and does not wear out quickly. You want bronze parts that last and can handle stress. Some bronze grades are much stronger than others. Bronze 642 has high strength and hardness. Bronze 932 bends before breaking because it has good elongation.

Here is a table that compares two popular bronze grades:

Bronze Grade	Ultimate Strength	Yield Strength	Fatigue Strength	Shear Strength	Hardness (Brinell)	Elongation at Break
Bronze 642	83 ksi	42 ksi	50 ksi	56 ksi	172	12%
Bronze 932	40 ksi	18 ksi	16 ksi	64-78 ksi	65	20%

Bronze 642 gives higher strength and better wear resistance. Bronze 932 is easier to machine and more flexible. Pick the bronze that fits your project’s needs for durability and performance.

Cost and Availability

Cost is important when you choose bronze for cnc machining. Some bronze grades cost more because they use rare metals or have special features. Leaded bronze usually costs less and is easy to find. High-strength bronze, like nickel aluminum bronze, costs more but lasts longer.

You can find bronze in many shapes and sizes. Most suppliers have common grades like C932 and C954. Special bronze grades may take longer to order. You save money by picking a bronze grade that matches your job and is easy to get.

Note: If you need help finding the right bronze for your cnc machining project, JOC Machinery offers many bronze alloys and expert support.

Choosing the Right CNC Machining Bronze

Project Requirements

When you start a bronze machining job, you need to pick the right bronze alloy. Each alloy is good for different things. You should think about what your project needs most. Here are some things to look at:

• Composition variation: Some bronze alloys have more tin, aluminum, or lead. These changes make the alloy stronger, easier to machine, or better at fighting rust.

• Application needs: Think about if you need strong parts, parts that last, or parts that handle heat well.

• Bronze part quality: If you want parts that last long, choose bronze alloys that are tough.

• Softness and galling: Bronze is softer than steel. This can cause problems like galling, so you may need to change how you machine it.

If you need help, you can ask JOC Machinery. We know a lot about metal cnc machining and can help you pick the best bronze for your job.

Tolerance and Precision

Bronze machining needs tight tolerances for parts that fit together well. You want your bronze parts to meet strict standards. Some bronze alloys are easier to machine with close tolerances. C932 and C510 are good choices for jobs that need high precision. Always check how easy the alloy is to machine before you start. This helps you get the best quality bronze parts.

Tip: Use measuring tools to check your bronze parts while you work and after you finish. This helps you find mistakes early and keeps your project going well.

Budget Considerations

Budget is important when you machine bronze. Some bronze alloys cost more because they use rare metals or have special features. You should think about the cost and what you get from each alloy.

Aspect	Impact on Budget Constraints
Material Choice	More expensive materials can make your project cost more.
Machinability	Bronze is worth the price for tricky jobs.
Cost-Effectiveness	Think about cost and material features to save money.
Project Complexity	Simple parts cost more, but hard parts can be made faster.

Bronze machining costs change if your parts are simple or complex. Simple parts may cost 30-40% more, but hard parts only cost 10-20% more. If the alloy is easy to machine, you save money by skipping extra steps and getting a smooth finish. How easy it is to find the material and how long machining takes also change the total cost.

Tips for Bronze Machining

You can get better results with these tips:

• Employ cutting fluid: Use water-based coolant or synthetic oil to lower friction and stop chips from building up.

• Check tool wear: Bronze can wear out tools faster than softer metals. Look at your cutting edges often.

• Check the finish: Use measuring tools to make sure your bronze parts look right.

• Control chips: Long chips can wrap around tools. Use chip breakers and change your cutting speed.

• Avoid thin wall distortion: For thin bronze parts, use air cooling and take shallow cuts.

If you need custom bronze parts, JOC Machinery can help. We make bearings and gears and help with all kinds of bronze machining. Our team checks every part for quality and accuracy.

Many customers trust us for their bronze machining jobs. We care about bronze part quality and always give good results.