C54400 Phosphor Bronze (UNS C54400, CuSn4Zn4Pb4, CW456K), is a widely‑used leaded free‑cutting wrought phosphor bronze alloy, containing 3.5‑4.5% tin, 3.5‑4.5% lead, 1.5‑4.5% zinc and controlled phosphorus 0.01‑0.50%. Lead additive delivers outstanding machinability while tin‑phosphorus matrix brings balanced strength, wear‑resistance and moderate corrosion‑resistance.
Quick Grade‑Selection Answer For Your Project: Pick C54400 when high‑speed CNC machining, good anti‑friction performance for bushings / thrust washers are top priorities (note: contains lead, not for strict RoHS lead‑free projects). Choose C51000 for lead‑free spring‑focused components. Select C53400 as partial alternative for bearing parts with lower lead content. For heavy‑duty seawater hardware, evaluate nickel‑aluminum bronze C63000 as alternative.
Many buyers face wrong‑alloy risk: using lead‑containing C54400 for RoHS‑required spring parts, or selecting low‑machinability lead‑free grades for high‑volume screw‑machine production. As your reliable China factory supplier, HSMetal provides C54400 phosphor bronze in sheet, rod, bar and blanks. We support custom cut‑to‑size, with mill test certificate available for every shipment for both R&D sampling and mass‑volume serial production. For chemical‑compatibility knowledge of phosphor bronze under corrosive environment, please visit Read our phosphor bronze chemical‑resistance blog.
What is C54400 Phosphor Bronze
UNS C54400 (also known as Phosphor Bronze B‑2) follows ASTM B139 / B139M standardASTM Inter.... Lead and zinc additions greatly improve chip‑breaking performance for CNC high‑speed turning, milling and tapping. Phosphorus acts as deoxidizer during melting and enhances wear‑resistance and stiffness. This alloy offers low friction coefficient and anti‑galling property, making it ideal for sliding‑contact mechanical parts. Available tempers: O annealed, 1/4H, 1/2H, H04 hard temper to meet stamping, forming and machining requirements. Soldering and brazing performance is acceptable; welding is not recommended for lead‑containing bronze grades.
C54400 Typical Chemical Composition
| Element | Cu | Sn | Pb | Zn | P | Fe | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | Balance | 3.5‑4.5 | 3.5‑4.5 | 1.5‑4.5 | 0.01‑0.50 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.15 |
Key Properties at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.89 g/cm³ |
| Electrical Conductivity | 15–19% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | 86–87 W/m·K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 103–117 GPa |
| Melting Range | 927–999°C |
| Machinability Rating | 80% (C36000 = 100%) |
| Tensile Strength (H04) | 380–450 MPa |
| Yield Strength (H04) | 280–300 MPa (min) |
| Elongation (H04) | 12–15% (min) |
Source: ASTM B139 mechanical properties for H04 temper, 16–50mm diameter range
Core Product Features of HSMetal C54400 Phosphor Bronze
- Excellent free‑cutting machinability (machinability rating ~80), suitable for high‑volume screw‑machine CNC production
- Low friction coefficient and anti‑galling property for bushing, bearing and thrust‑washer service
- Balanced mechanical strength and moderate corrosion resistance for atmospheric & mild marine environments
- Good dimensional stability under static and cyclic mechanical loads
- Multiple tempers supplied per ASTM B139 standard
- Strict batch inspection on chemical composition, hardness and mechanical properties
- Mill Test Certificate provided for each delivery
Equivalent & Alternative Materials Selection Guide
When C54400 cannot be used (RoHS restriction, special corrosion requirement), select alternative alloys according to your priority requirement.
| Alloy Grade | Key Difference vs C54400 | Suitable Replacement Scenarios | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| C53400 Phosphor Bronze | Lower lead content, good bearing property | Partial substitute for bushing / washer parts when limited lead is acceptable | Machinability worse than C54400 |
| C51000 (UNS C51000, lead‑free CuSn5) | Lead‑free, superior spring & fatigue performance | RoHS‑compliant projects, spring‑contact parts | Poor machinability for high‑speed mass‑CNC production |
| C52100 Phosphor Bronze | Higher tin for better corrosion & wear resistance | Mild corrosive‑environment wear parts | Low machinability, higher cost |
| C63000 Nickel‑Aluminum Bronze | High‑strength, heavy‑duty seawater corrosion resistance | Heavy‑load marine hardware, aggressive corrosive media | Much higher cost, poor machinability |
Important note: C54400 contains lead. Confirm RoHS or local environmental compliance requirements before placing orders.
Customization Services
What we can customize for C54400:
| Service | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cut-to-Length | Bars cut to exact length (e.g., 500mm, 1000mm, 2000mm) |
| Diameter Tolerance | Precision turning to ±0.02mm on request |
| Temper Adjustment | H02 (Half-Hard) to H04 (Hard); annealed for machining |
| Surface Finish | Bright drawn, ground, or polished |
| Edge Condition | Chamfered, deburred, or as-drawn |
| Straightness | ≤0.5mm/m for precision bar applications |
Commercial and Delivery Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Order Quantity | Support both R&D sample orders and mass‑volume production orders.Small custom cut‑to‑size samples are available for lab & machining evaluation.Mass‑production MOQ depends on dimension & temper, please confirm with sales. |
| Price & Quotation | Quotation is calculated according to grade, dimension, temper, quantity and processing requirements.Price excludes freight, insurance and import duties.Quotation validity: 30 days. Subject to raw‑material market fluctuation. |
| Mill Test Certificate | Available for every shipment, covering chemical composition, mechanical properties and hardness data.Third‑party inspection can be arranged at buyer's cost upon request. |
| Custom Cut‑to‑Size Service | Custom cut‑to‑size processing for C54400 phosphor bronze sheet / rod / blanks.General tolerance follows industrial standard. Special tight tolerance needs to be clarified during inquiry.Extra processing cost may apply for non‑standard blanks. |
| Lead‑time | Standard stock items: 7‑14 working days.Non‑standard temper / special dimension / custom cutting: 15‑30 working days.Exact lead‑time confirmed on formal proforma invoice. |
| Shipping & Packaging | Seaworthy export‑grade packaging to prevent scratch, deformation and oxidation.Shipping options: sea freight, air freight, express courier for small samples.Freight cost is on buyer's account unless special agreement. |
| Payment Terms | Main term: T/T (Telegraphic Transfer). 30% deposit after PI confirmation, balance before shipment.Other payment terms are negotiable. |
| Acceptance & Claim | Buyer shall inspect quantity, dimension and surface within 15 working days after goods arrival.Quality claim requires valid inspection evidence.Claims from improper post‑processing, storage or transit will not be accepted. |
| After‑sales Technical Support | Free technical consultation: grade selection, temper recommendation and material‑processing tips, available after order completion. |
Selection Guide: C54400 vs C51000 vs C52100
Choosing the right phosphor bronze grade depends on your manufacturing method and performance requirements.
| Property | C54400 | C51000 | C52100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Content | 3.5–4.5% | 4.2–5.8% | 7.0–9.0% |
| Lead Content | 3.0–4.0% | None | None |
| Machinability | 80% | ~20% | ~20% |
| Formability | Good (not for deep drawing) | Best | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent (lead + phosphorus) | Good | Very Good |
| Self-Lubrication | Yes (lead) | No | No |
| Electrical Conductivity | 15–19% IACS | 18–22% IACS | 14–18% IACS |
| Best For | Machined bearings, bushings, gears | Deep drawn connectors | High-stress springs |
Selection Rule of Thumb:
- Choose C54400 when you are machining (screw machine parts, bushings, gears) and need self-lubrication or wear resistance
- Choose C51000 when you need formability (stamping, deep drawing) and cost efficiency
- Choose C52100 when you need maximum fatigue strength for high-cycle springs
Critical Note: C54400 contains lead and is not suitable for lead-free / RoHS-compliant applications. For those requirements, specify C51000 or C52100
C54400 Main Application Scenarios
- Industrial machinery: CNC‑machined bushings, sleeve bearings, thrust washers, gear pinions, valve components, wear‑resistant screw‑machine parts
- Automotive: Wear bushings, sliding mechanical fittings
- General electrical: Non‑RoHS electrical connectors and switch components (not for lead‑free compliance projects)
- Instrument hardware: Precision machined components requiring high surface finish after cutting
About Us
As a specialized China factory supplier for phosphor bronze alloys, HSMetal runs complete in‑house workflow including melting, hot rolling, precision cold rolling, temper annealing and custom cutting for C54400, C51000 and C52100 phosphor bronze products. We follow ASTM B139 industry standards and strictly control chemical‑composition tolerance. Every production batch goes through full‑range lab testing and comes with complete mill test certificates. Beyond supplying standard and custom‑cut blanks for prototype and mass‑production projects, our material‑engineering team provides practical technical support including grade‑selection advice, temper suggestion and CNC‑processing tips. We help global customers avoid common material‑caused risks such as wrong‑grade selection, ignoring lead‑content compliance and improper temper choice, acting as your reliable one‑stop partner for phosphor‑bronze alloy solutions.
Our Factory
Aging Treatment Equipment
Copper Strip Pay-Off Processing Line
Brass Rod Straightening Production Line
Rolling Mill Equipment
Straight Pipe Cutting Machine
Copper Finishing Production Line
FAQ
Q1: Can C54400 be used for RoHS lead‑free electronic assemblies?
A: No. C54400 contains lead. For RoHS‑compliant projects, choose lead‑free grades like C51000 or C52100.
Q2: What temper is recommended for CNC machining C54400 bushings?
A: H04 hard temper is the most‑common selection for CNC machined wear‑parts. Annealed O temper is used if further cold forming is required.
Q3: What is the difference between C54400 and C51000?
A: C54400 is lead‑added free‑cutting grade optimized for high‑volume CNC bushing & washer production, but sacrifices spring performance and RoHS compliance. C51000 is lead‑free, with excellent spring and fatigue performance for connectors and springs, while its machinability is much lower. Please refer to our comparison table above for material selection.
Q4: Is Mill Test Certificate provided for C54400 shipments?
A: Yes. Each shipment includes mill test certificate covering chemical analysis and mechanical‑property test data. Third‑party inspection can be arranged upon buyer's request at buyer's cost.
Q5: Can I get small C54400 samples for machining evaluation?
A: Yes, sample‑cut blanks and rod segments are available for your process testing.
Q6: What is the difference between C54400 and C51000?
A: C54400 contains 3–4% lead, which makes it 80% machinable and gives it self-lubricating bearing properties. C51000 is lead-free and designed for formability (stamping, deep drawing) rather than machining .
Q7: Can C54400 be used for bearings without lubrication?
A: Yes - the lead content provides solid lubrication, making C54400 suitable for bushings and bearings where lubrication access is difficult .
Q8: Is C54400 suitable for welding?
A: No. The lead content prevents successful welding. Soldering is excellent and brazing is good .
Q9: What is the maximum operating temperature?
A: C54400 is not recommended for high-temperature applications. Typical safe operating range is up to 200–250°C for mechanical properties; avoid hot working (forging, extrusion) due to lead content .
Q10: Can you provide C54400 in small quantities for trial?
A: Yes - we can accommodate trial orders. Contact us with your required specification for a quote.
Q11: What certifications do you provide?
A: Mill Test Certificate (MTC) with chemical and mechanical properties, ASTM B139/B103 compliance, heat number traceability, and third-party inspection on request.
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