What is nickel aluminium bronze?
Nickel aluminium bronze is a family of copper alloys containing approximately 8.5-11% aluminium, 4-6% nickel and 3-5% iron, with small manganese additions. The nickel and iron refine the microstructure and suppress the corrosion-prone phases found in plain aluminium bronze, producing an alloy that performs reliably in seawater for decades.
The alloy is known as nickel aluminum bronze in US specifications such as UNS C63200 and UNS C63000; the material and its intent are identical to the UK and European grades.
Why nickel aluminium bronze is specified
Seawater corrosion resistance
A self-healing aluminium-rich oxide film resists seawater corrosion, erosion and cavitation damage in fast-flowing and turbulent conditions.
High strength and fatigue performance
Tensile strengths from 620 MPa upwards with good ductility and fatigue endurance, allowing thinner, lighter sections than many alternative marine alloys.
Wear and anti-galling behaviour
Excellent resistance to galling and seizure under high contact loads, which is why the alloy dominates bearing, bush and gear applications.
Biofouling immunity and non-sparking
The copper-rich surface deters marine growth, and the alloy is non-sparking, making it suitable for hazardous-area tooling and fittings.
Nickel aluminium bronze grades we supply
Each grade has its own specification page with full chemical and mechanical data.
| Designation | Standard | Cast / wrought | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEF STAN 02-833 | UK Defence Standard (supersedes DEF STAN 02-747) | Cast and wrought (forged) | Submarine and surface fleet components requiring ultrasonic inspection |
| C63200 | ASTM B150 / MIL-B-24059 | Cast and wrought | Naval seawater service, shafting, fasteners and valve internals |
| C63000 | ASTM B150 / AMS 4640 | Cast and wrought (forged) | Aerospace landing gear bushes, bearings and heavily loaded wear parts |
| CW307G | BS EN 12163 / BS EN 12420 (CuAl10Ni5Fe4) | Cast and wrought | European marine, power generation and industrial applications |
Other specifications we can supply
Alongside the four main wrought standards, we supply cast and aerospace nickel aluminium bronze specifications, and the related high strength cupro nickel standards NES 835 and UN14A2. Figures on these pages are typical published values from the Copper Alloys technical datasheets.
Product forms we supply
Every grade above can be supplied cast, forged, from stock bar or fully machined.
Typical applications
Marine and naval
Propellers, propulsion shafting, rudder components, hull fittings, seawater pipework and submarine valve bodies, where biofouling immunity and seawater corrosion resistance matter most.
Offshore oil and gas
Subsea fasteners, manifolds, riser hardware and topside components exposed to salt spray, plus non-sparking tooling for hazardous areas.
Pumps and valves
Impellers, wear rings, valve bodies, seats and stems handling seawater, brine and other aggressive fluids.
Bearings and wear parts
Bushes, slide plates, gears, worm wheels and landing gear components, where anti-galling behaviour under high load is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discuss your nickel aluminium bronze requirement
From stocked bar, rod and rings to shaped forgings and fully machined components up to 20,000 kg piece weight, supplied with full traceability.