Aluminum bronze bushing (CuAl10Fe3Mn2)

The advantages of aluminum bronze

The previous sections have made it clear what corrosion is and what factors can accelerate the corrosion process. As is known, corrosion is a stubborn enemy and can cause considerable damage, so choosing the right material can avoid economic losses. Aluminum bronze is a suitable material and ensures long-term production without major losses. But what exactly is aluminum bronze? What are its characteristics?

Aluminum-bronze is an alloy consisting of at least 60% copper with the addition of 9% to 14% aluminum. Other metals, such as iron, manganese or nickel, can act as additional alloying elements. In addition, the alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, but what causes this?

There are two different ways to protect metals from corrosion: passive corrosion protection and active corrosion protection

1, active corrosion protection is a kind of long-term rust protection

Or adding an inhibitor to the metal that makes the electrolyte less erosive; Or use a so-called sacrificial anode to prevent the formation of positive iron ions. These are prerequisites for rust formation, and since these iron ions are not present, rust cannot form.

2. For passive corrosion protection, the metal to be protected is coated with corrosion protection layer

Such protective coating includes paint, plastic coating, oil and grease, hot dip galvanized or enamel coating. However, metals can also independently coat themselves with a protective oxide layer, which is known as spontaneous passivation. Aluminum has this property.

Because of the presence of aluminum, aluminum bronze is resistant to corrosion. The aluminum forms a protective film around the entire material. Compared to other metals, this protective layer forms very quickly and will heal quickly if damaged. This copper rust is a typical brown color on the exterior of the metal. Although the impenetrable barrier doesn't look particularly beautiful, it protects the material underneath from corrosion. Thus, aluminum bronze does not deform even under extreme conditions, such as in seawater or acidic environments.

In addition to resistance to seawater, corrosion, scaling, erosion and cavitation, aluminum bronze is resistant to wear and heat, up to about 400°C. In addition, they do not require constant maintenance. From an aesthetic point of view, copper rust that prevents corrosion may not look pretty, but it cannot be cleaned away because the metal is no longer resistant for a short period of time before the rust forms again.