What is C63020 / AMS 4590?
C63020, written nickel aluminum bronze in US specifications, is the strongest wrought nickel aluminium bronze, supplied in the quench hardened and temper annealed condition and manufactured to the aerospace standard AMS 4590. It has good corrosion resistance plus excellent wear and anti-galling properties, can be used as a substitute for beryllium copper, and is widely used for commercial and military aircraft landing gear bushings and bearings.
Should you specify C63020 / AMS 4590?
Specify C63020 to AMS 4590 when a landing gear bushing or a heavily loaded wear part needs more strength than any other nickel aluminium bronze can give. Typical values are 800 N/mm² tensile and 215 HB, well above the standard wrought grades.
The reason engineers reach for it most often is as a beryllium-free substitute for beryllium copper. If your programme is trying to design out beryllium on health, safety or environmental grounds, this is the grade to evaluate first for high-load bushings.
The trade-off is ductility. Typical elongation is 4 %, so this is not a grade for parts that need to tolerate deformation, and it is not a general-purpose seawater structural alloy. Where you need ductility and seawater performance rather than peak strength, C63000 or DEF STAN 02-833 are the better fit.
It also demands extreme control of the manufacturing process to achieve consistency and high integrity, so buy it from a producer that heat treats and tests in-house rather than from a stockist who cannot evidence the route.
Best for aerospace landing gear bushings, bearings and heavily loaded wear parts, and as a beryllium-free alternative to beryllium copper.
C63020 / AMS 4590 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 | Wrought - Wrought nickel aluminium bronze |
|---|---|
| Nominal composition | CuAl9Ni4Fe4Mn2 |
| Tensile strength (typical) | 800 N/mm² |
| Proof / yield strength (typical) | 570 N/mm² |
| Elongation (typical) | 4 % |
| Hardness (typical) | 215 HB |
| Izod impact (typical) | Not published |
C63020 / AMS 4590 typical physical properties
Key features of C63020 / AMS 4590
- A high strength nickel aluminium bronze that can be heat treated by quench hardening and tempering.
- One of the highest strength aluminium bronzes available.
- Excellent wear and anti-galling properties, and can be used as a substitute for beryllium copper.
- Requires extreme control of the manufacturing process to ensure consistency and high integrity.
C63020 / AMS 4590 applications
Aerospace
- Bushings
- Bearings
General engineering
- Wear plates
- Dies
Marine
- Valves
- Hydraulic blocks
- Fixtures and fittings
C63020 / AMS 4590 equivalent specifications
Frequently asked questions
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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.