Should I Choose Bronze or Copper for My Application?

When it’s time to choose a material for your application, there are a lot of factors to consider. Do you need a material that is conductive? One that is resistant to corrosion or can be easily worked? Taking a look at your own needs is the first step in the process; the next step involves understanding the metals you’re considering and examining their qualities.

Bronze vs. Copper: What’s the Difference?

It’s common for people to use the words bronze and copper to refer to the same type of metal, but technically speaking, there’s a difference.

Copper can be a pure metal that is mined from the earth, or it can refer to a copper alloy that has a copper content of 99.3 percent. Either way, copper is popular for a number of different applications and it was one of the first metals used by early humans, as evidenced by the Copper Age that began in the middle of the 5th millennium BC.

Bronze is a metal alloy, which means it’s always made from a combination of metals—there’s no such thing as pure bronze. Bronze is primarily made with copper, then other metals are added to impart different qualities on the resulting alloy. Some common metals used to make bronze are iron, zinc, and tin. Like copper, bronze is a metal that has been used since ancient times and the transition from copper tools to bronze is marked by the Bronze Age.

Properties of Bronze vs. Copper

Since bronze contains a large amount of copper, you might think it follows that bronze and copper have very similar properties, but slight changes in formulations can make a big difference in their qualities and characteristics.

Why Use Copper

Copper is commonly used in heating and electrical applications because it has exceptional conductivity. It’s also widely used in artwork, fixtures, and architecture because of its captivating reddish hue. The simple act of polishing and buffing copper can create a wide array of textures and lusters.

Copper has been in the news recently thanks to its antimicrobial properties, making it an increasingly popular material for everything from phone cases to face mask filters. Copper is also strong and resistant to corrosion. If you need a material that is formable, copper can be soldered, brazed, and welded.

Why Use Bronze

Like copper, bronze is a commonly used material for sculptures, statues, and other artwork, but its resistance to wear and low friction makes it a workhorse when it comes to industrial applications. You’ll find bronze in bearings, valves, pump parts, and gears. Many musical instruments are also made with bronze. If you’re looking for a metal that is hard and durable, bronze is a solid choice.

Learn More About Atlas Bronze

Of course, the best way to choose the right material for your application is to consult with one of our knowledgeable team members at Atlas Bronze. Contact us at 1-800-478-0887 and we’ll work together with you to determine whether bronze or copper is best for your purposes. If you’re not sure where to start, we can get you on the right track and ensure a successful project.

What Is the Difference Between Bushings and Bearings?

If you’re new to the manufacturing industry, you may be confused about the difference between bushings and bearings. Some people say they’re the same. Others say they’re different. Which is it? They can’t be both! Below, we’ll demystify some of the confusion surrounding these parts.
When Bearings and Bushings Are the Same

In the automotive industry, the terms bushing and bearing are often used interchangeably, so if you’re coming to manufacturing with some background knowledge on cars, it’s easy to see why you’d be confused. Bearings (or bushings, as it were) are used in gearboxes, auto transmissions, and shock systems in vehicles.

When Bushings Are Bearings

You know how all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares? This is how it works with bearings and bushings too—at least outside of the automotive industry. All bushings are bearings, but not all bearings are bushings.

Bushings are also known as sleeve bearings because they come in a cylindrical (or sleeve) shape that enables two components or surfaces to move with a sliding motion. You might also see them referred to as plain bearings. These bushings can be straight up-and-down cylinders, which are used for radial loads, or they may be flanged, which makes them suitable for radial and axial loads. Then, there are thrust washers, which are bushings that can withstand applications that involve thrust forces with moderate velocities.

When Bearings Aren’t Bushings

We know that all bushings are bearings, but what kind of bearing isn’t a bushing?

The easiest way to distinguish the two is to remember that a bushing is always a single part—a cylinder with or without a flange—while any bearing that has multiple components is not a bushing. Ball bearings, for example, are not bushings because they have several parts, including a raceway and rolling elements. In other words, the difference between bushings and bearings in some instances is that bearings are more complex. A simple sleeve bearing is a bushing, but a more complicated bearing is not.

What Else You Should Know About Bushings

We categorize bushings into sleeve bushings, flange bushings, and thrust washers, but they can be further categorized by type of lubrication.

Self-lubricating bushings are used in applications where regular lubrication is not possible or difficult. These bushings have small pores in them that are impregnated with lubricant. This lubricant is released when the bushings are in use, then reabsorbed when they are at rest, greatly reducing the need for maintenance. Graphite-plugged bushings are one example of a self-lubricating bushing.

Plain bushings can only be used in applications where there is already a system in place for lubrication or when there is sufficient staff to perform ongoing lubrication and maintenance. These are more economical than self-lubricating bushings, but once you factor in the added labor costs, self-lubricating bushings usually come out ahead in the long-term.

Learn More About the Difference Between Bushings and Bearings

If you’re still not sure whether you need a bushing or bearing for your application, our sales team is happy to help. Atlas Bronze experts are always available to explain all of our different options and listen to your needs in order to determine the right fit for you. Contact us at 1-800-478-0887 to speak with one of our experts and get started.