Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloys are highly valued for their high strength and corrosion resistance compared to other bronze alloys. These alloys exhibit low rates of corrosion in atmospheric air and low reactivity with sulfur-containing components. They are also resistant to seawater corrosion.

 

The strength of Nickel Aluminum Bronze lies in the aluminum content of the alloy, which reacts with the atmosphere (oxygen) to form a thin and durable layer of alumina (aluminum oxide) that acts as a protective barrier in copper-rich alloys.

 

Another notable property of Nickel Aluminum Bronze is its biostatic effect. Copper prevents colonization by marine organisms, including algae, making it preferable to stainless steel or other non-copper alloys in applications where such colonization is undesirable.

 

Nickel Aluminum Bronze tends to have a golden color.

 

In general, nickel aluminum bronzes can be classified as alloys containing 6 to 13% aluminum and up to 7% iron and 7% nickel. The most common alloys typically contain 3-6% of each of these two elements. Manganese, up to approximately 1.5%, is also added as both a deoxidizer and a strengthening element.

Applications

Nickel Aluminum Bronze, BM 955, is widely used in applications where its corrosion resistance makes it preferable over other materials. These applications include aircraft landing gear components and components for ship engines and propellers. Its attractive golden hue also makes it suitable for use in jewelry.

 

Nickel Aluminum Bronze is in demand mainly in the following industrial areas:

​

• Naval equipment

• Water supply

• Oil and petrochemical industry 

• Special anti-corrosive material applications

• Certain building construction structures

• Coinage (in various countries)

 

Although nickel aluminum bronzes now form the largest family of bronze and aluminum alloys worldwide, during their development, various countries adopted and manufactured their own versions. While European standards have attempted to unify this, major global producers - including the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom - still use their own standards, primarily for aerospace and maritime applications.

 

Commonly encountered alloy standards: BM 630 / C63000 / AMS 4640, BM 955 / C95500 / AMS 4880, BM 280HT / AMS 4590 / AMS 4881.

​