What is AMS 4880?
AMS 4880 is an American aerospace specification for cast nickel aluminium bronze, combining high strength, good fatigue, excellent corrosion resistance and wear properties. It has very high anti-galling properties against most grades of steel and titanium, and is used worldwide for aerospace landing gear bushes and bearings. The specification allows sand, centrifugal and continuous casting.
Should you specify AMS 4880?
Specify AMS 4880 when an aerospace drawing calls for a cast nickel aluminium bronze bush or bearing and the release has to be against an AMS specification. Its strength, fatigue, wear, shock and corrosion performance have been proven on landing gear for decades.
The most useful thing to decide early is the casting route. The specification allows sand castings, centrifugal casting and continuous casting, and continuous casting presents the optimal combination of quality and efficiency. Continuous cast material also carries published mechanical properties by section size, which makes conformance easier to demonstrate.
Where the load case is heavier still, AMS 4881 (UNS C95520) is the higher-strength sister specification and a realistic alternative to copper beryllium. Where the part is British or European, AB2 and CC333G are the corresponding cast designations.
Note that the published properties are for material quench hardened at 871-927 °C and temper annealed at 593-649 °C. Confirm the heat treatment condition on the purchase order.
Best for aerospace landing gear bushes and bearings released to an AMS casting specification, ideally continuous cast.
AMS 4880 quick reference
Typical, indicative values as published by Copper Alloys Ltd. Typical values are not specification limits, and vary with product form, section size and temper.
| Alloy type | Cast - Cast nickel aluminium bronze |
|---|---|
| Nominal composition | Cu bal, Al 9.7-10.9, Ni+Co 4.5-5.5, Fe 2.0-3.5 |
| Tensile strength (typical) | 724 - 780 MPa (continuous cast, <102 mm) |
| Proof / yield strength (typical) | 431 - 460 MPa (0.5 %, continuous cast, <102 mm) |
| Elongation (typical) | 9 - 12 % |
| Hardness (typical) | 190 - 240 HB (<102 mm) |
| Izod impact (typical) | Not published |
AMS 4880 composition (% by weight)
| Element | % |
|---|---|
| Cu | Bal |
| Al | 9.7 - 10.9 |
| Ni + Co | 4.5 - 5.5 |
| Fe | 2.0 - 3.5 |
| Mn | 1.5 max |
| Zn | 0.3 max |
| Sn | 0.2 max |
| Impurities | 0.2 max |
AMS 4880 typical mechanical properties
| Form | Size range | Yield 0.5% (MPa) | UTS (MPa) | Elong % | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous cast | <102 mm (<4 in) | 431 - 460 | 724 - 780 | 9 - 12 | 190 - 240 |
| Continuous cast | >102 mm (>4 in) | 386 - 440 | 655 - 740 | 9 - 12 | 175 - 230 |
Quench hardened 871-927 °C (1600-1700 °F) and temper annealed 593-649 °C (1100-1200 °F).
AMS 4880 typical physical properties
Key features of AMS 4880
- High strength, good fatigue, excellent corrosion resistance and wear properties.
- Very high anti-galling properties when running against most grades of steel and titanium.
- Proven over many decades for aerospace landing gear bushes and bearings.
- Allows sand castings, centrifugal and continuous casting, with continuous casting giving the optimal combination of quality and efficiency.
- Recommended welding processes: TIG/GTAW, MIG/GMAW, manual arc (MMA), friction welding and laser welding. Soldering and oxy-acetylene are not recommended.
AMS 4880 applications
Aerospace
- Landing gear bushes
- Landing gear bearings
Supply forms
- Finish machined turnkey components
- Proof machined tubes and solid bars up to 500 mm / 20 in OD
AMS 4880 equivalent specifications
Frequently asked questions
Need AMS 4880 for your project?
Our UK sales team can confirm availability, lead times, certification and the best specification for your application. Send an enquiry and we will come back to you with next steps.
Information provided is for reference only
The composition, mechanical and physical figures on this page are typical, indicative values compiled from published Copper Alloys Ltd datasheets to aid early-stage material selection. They are not specification limits and are not engineering, procurement, safety, regulatory or design advice.
Before specifying, purchasing or using any material, confirm the requirements against the current controlled version of the relevant standard and obtain a certified material test report and written technical confirmation from Copper Alloys Ltd or another qualified foundry.