Metal Die Casting
If you are mulling over which metal alloy to select for metal casting, consider choosing aluminum bronze, which is a compound of copper and aluminum. Sometimes, other elements such as nickel, manganese, iron, and silicon are also added to aluminum bronze, but the percentage of aluminum is generally 5 to 11.
The extent of aluminum determines aluminum bronze’s grade and allows the metal to be shaped in an array of distinct physical properties. Being said that, aluminum bronze usually maintains the features, which make it ideal for metal casting for a variety of reasons.
Corrosion Resistance
Marine applications have been relying on the alloy for decades especially propeller of ships and tankers. Aluminum bronze has the properties, which protect corrosion against seawater keeping the engine moving forward. Aluminum bronze is a tarnish resistant alloy but it also withstands corrosion due to exposure to high or low temperatures, unfavorable chemical environments, etc. The alloy also avoids the forming of biological elements on the surface of components, thus making it a preferred choice in metal casting over alternative alloys not containing copper compounds.
Non-Sparkling and Non-Magnetic
Aluminum bronze is preferably used in an array of industries. When it comes to making hand tools, the alloy drastically prevents the probability of igniting gases, dust or flammable liquid vapor. The tools do emit spark to an extent, but having low-heat spark would lessen ignition. This facet is essential for oil and gas segment, mining industry, aerospace segment, and transportation segment.
Aluminum bronze also has non-magnetic properties, which make the alloy preferential for working in segments that rely on high-powered magnets such as MRI scanning machines in hospitality segment. Moreover, aluminum bronze eliminates the probability of galvanic corrosion too, a situation where metal corrodes when it is put in electrical contacts with a different metal coupled with a corrosive electrolyte.
Avoids Wear and Tear
One of the properties of aluminum bronze is that it can be welded into shapes following metal die casting process. This would mean that the component not only yields unique properties but also repaired using welding process once in place. In most of the situations, components made of aluminum bronze do not necessitate removal to be repaired.