There are many brands of copper sleeves (also called copper bearings or sliding bearings), which can be divided into several categories according to different base materials, alloy elements and performance characteristics.

Simply put, the most commonly used copper set numbers include: ZCuSn10P1 (tin bronze), ZCuSn5Pb5Zn5 (tin bronze), ZC uAl10Fe3 (aluminum bronze), ZCuZn25Al6Fe3Mn3 (high-strength brass), etc.

Below I will give you a detailed introduction to various mainstream brands, their characteristics and typical applications.

1. Tin bronze - the most commonly used copper sleeve material with the best comprehensive performance

Tin bronze has high strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and is the preferred material for manufacturing copper sleeves. The "Z" before the grade means "casting".

1.ZCuSn10P1 (10-1 tin bronze)

Ingredients: About 10% tin, 1% phosphorus, the remainder is copper.

Features: high hardness, excellent wear resistance, high fatigue strength. Known as "phosphor bronze", its wear resistance is one of the best among tin bronzes.

Application: For high loads (>20MPa) and high sliding speed (>8m/s). Such as bushings of heavy machine tools, connecting rod bushings of engines, high-pressure oil pump bearings, etc.

2.ZCuSn5Pb5Zn5 (5-5-5Tin Bronze)

Ingredients: Approximately 5% tin, 5% lead, 5% zinc, remainder copper.

Features: good casting performance, dense structure and high air tightness. Contains lead, which makes it self-lubricating, but its strength and hardness are slightly lower than ZCuSn10P1.

Application: Medium speed, medium load bearings, bushings, turbines, etc. It has a wide range of applications and is a universal choice.

3.ZCuSn6Zn6Pb3 (6-6-3Tin Bronze)

Ingredients: Approximately 6% tin, 6% zinc, 3% lead, remainder copper.

Features: Performance is similar to 5-5-5, easy to cut, good wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

Application: General load bushings, gears, turbines, etc.

2. Aluminum bronze - high strength, high wear resistance and corrosion resistance

The strength, hardness and wear resistance of aluminum bronze are generally higher than those of tin bronze, making it especially suitable for harsh working conditions.

1.ZCuAl10Fe3 (10-3 aluminum bronze)

Ingredients: Approximately 10% aluminum, 3% iron, remainder copper.

Features: Very high hardness, excellent wear resistance, high compressive strength, acid and alkali corrosion resistance. Sometimes called "high strength bronze".

Application: For extremely high loads (>30MPa) and low sliding speed heavy load, wear-resistant occasions. Such as ship propeller bushings, eccentric bushings of heavy machinery, rolling mill bearings, mining machinery bearings, etc.

2.ZCuAl9Fe4Ni4Mn2 (9-4-4-2 aluminum bronze)

Ingredients: Contains aluminum, iron, nickel, manganese and other elements.

Features: It is an advanced grade with more comprehensive properties among aluminum bronzes, with higher strength, wear resistance and excellent corrosion resistance, especially in seawater and chemical media.

Applications: Heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant bearings and structural parts with extremely demanding requirements in ships, power plants, chemical industries, etc.

3. Lead bronze-extremely high fatigue strength and load-bearing capacity

The characteristic of lead bronze is that lead as soft points is evenly distributed on the copper matrix, forming a natural self-lubricating structure.

1.ZCuPb10Sn10 (10-10 lead bronze)

Ingredients: Approximately 10% lead, 10% tin, remainder copper.

Features: high fatigue strength, large load-bearing capacity, good thermal conductivity (fast heat dissipation), good compliance and embedding. Very suitable for bearings operating at high speeds.

Application: High-speed, heavy-load sliding bearings, such as crankshaft connecting rod bushes and main bearing bushes of internal combustion engines, are one of the most critical bearing materials for automobile and ship engines.

2.ZCuPb15Sn8 (15-8 lead bronze)

Ingredients: Higher Lead (15%), 8% Tin.

Features: Better self-lubricating, but reduced strength and hardness.

Application: Bearings for higher sliding speeds.

4. Brass - lower cost, used in general working conditions

Brass is a copper-zinc alloy. Its strength and wear resistance are not as good as bronze, but it is low cost and easy to process.

1.ZCuZn25Al6Fe3Mn3 (high strength brass/manganese brass)

Ingredients: Contains aluminum, iron, manganese and other elements.

Features: It has high strength and hardness, good resistance to seawater corrosion, and better wear resistance than ordinary brass.

Application: Large bushings, worm gears, etc. in heavy machinery and shipbuilding.

2.ZCuZn38Mn2Pb2 (38-2-2 manganese brass)

Ingredients: Approximately 38% zinc, 2% manganese, 2% lead.

Features: Good cutting performance and general wear resistance.

Application: Bushings and bushings under general load and low speed.

Summary and selection suggestions

How to choose?

1. Medium speed, medium load, general working conditions: give priority to ZCuSn5Pb5Zn5 (5-5-5 tin bronze), which has the highest cost performance.

2. High speed, heavy load, important equipment: choose ZCuSn10P1 (10-1 tin bronze) or ZCuPb10Sn10 (10-10 lead bronze).

3. Extremely heavy load, low speed, impact: ZCuAl10Fe3 (10-3 aluminum bronze) must be selected.

4. Engine crankshaft/connecting rod tile: special material ZCuPb10Sn10 (10-10 lead bronze).

5. Seawater corrosion resistance: optional ZCuAl9Fe4Ni4Mn2 or ZCuZn25Al6Fe3Mn3.

(Information source: Shandong Tiege Furnace Industry Co., Ltd.)