The main reason for choosing bronze (copper alloy) as bushings, bushings or other mechanical components is due to its unique advantages compared to other materials:
Excellent wear resistance:
Bronze has excellent wear resistance, especially under high load and low speed operating conditions. Bronze bushings experience less wear in frictional environments than materials such as cast iron or steel, making them more suitable for high-friction mechanical components.
Good self-lubricating properties:
The self-lubricating properties of bronze alloys, especially oil-impregnated bronze, reduce the need for additional lubricants in mechanical systems, helping to reduce maintenance costs and extend the service life of equipment.
Excellent corrosion resistance:
Bronze has strong resistance to a variety of corrosive media, especially in marine environments or in contact with water or acidic solutions. Therefore, it is often used in ship parts or machinery in contact with water.
High load carrying capacity:
Bronze has a high load-bearing capacity and can maintain good mechanical properties under heavy loads. This makes it very suitable for applications that need to withstand greater pressure, such as bushings, gears, etc.
Good thermal conductivity:
Bronze has excellent thermal conductivity properties, which helps dissipate heat and prevent mechanical parts from failing due to overheating. This characteristic is particularly important in mechanical components operating in high temperature environments.
Excellent shock absorption performance:
Bronze bushings are excellent at damping and absorbing mechanical vibrations, and can effectively reduce mechanical fatigue or damage caused by vibrations.
Easy to process and manufacture:
Bronze is relatively easy to machine and cast, so its processing costs are low and effective when manufacturing complex-shaped mechanical parts.
Comparison with other materials:
Steel: Although steel is stronger, it is not as corrosion- and wear-resistant as bronze and requires more frequent lubrication.
Cast Iron: Cast iron is lower in cost, but has poor impact resistance, and its wear resistance and lubrication properties are not as good as bronze.
Plastic: Plastic bushings are cheaper and have better self-lubricating properties, but they have lower load-bearing capacity, are not resistant to high temperatures, and are easily deformed.
The main reason for choosing bronze bushings is its superior comprehensive performance, which is especially suitable for applications requiring high wear resistance, corrosion resistance and large load-bearing capacity. In mechanical equipment, especially in applications in harsh environments, bronze has shown obvious advantages.
