CuSn10 (Bronze)
metalcopper alloy — tin bronze
Cu-10SnTin BronzeCuSn10 AMBronze AMC90700 AM equivalentPhosphor Bronze AM
Composition — EN 1982 CC480K / ASTM B505 C90700 equivalent — CuSn10 (10 wt% Sn nominal)
| Element | Min % | Max % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cu | — | — | balance — copper matrix; provides electrical/thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance |
| Sn | 9.00 | 11.000 | 10 wt% tin — primary alloying element; improves corrosion resistance, hardness, and wear performance at significant cost to conductivity |
| P | — | 0.400 | Phosphorus — deoxidiser and minor strengthener in phosphor bronze variants; improves fluidity in sintering |
| Zn | — | 0.050 | Zinc trace impurity |
| Pb | — | 0.050 | Lead trace — minimised in AM powder (PbF safety and regulatory reasons) |
| Fe | — | 0.100 | Iron impurity |
Mechanical & thermal properties — 2 conditions
| Property | Binder Jetting sintered (isotropic) | LPBF as-built (XY) |
|---|---|---|
| Elastic modulus | 95–108 GPa | 93–105 GPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 140–190 MPa | 175–225 MPa |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 250–310 MPa | 280–350 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 12.0–25.0 % | 8.0–18.0 % |
| Hardness (HV) | 80–105 HV | 95–125 HV |
| Density | 8.70–8.87 g/cm³ | 8.65–8.85 g/cm³ |
| Thermal conductivity | 45.0–60.0 W/m·K | — |
Values shown as min–max where a spread is reported, otherwise as typical ± unit. Ranges reflect inter-source variation, not single-sample scatter. All values are for AM-processed specimens unless noted.
Engineering considerations
- Process route selection: Binder Jetting is preferred for dental, jewellery, and bearing applications where isotropy, surface finish, and near-cast properties are required. LPBF is preferred where higher strength is needed and some anisotropy is acceptable.
- Shrinkage compensation (BJ): Programme a linear scale factor of ~1.18–1.22 (18–22% oversize) in the print file to account for sintering shrinkage. Verify the exact shrinkage factor for your powder + sintering cycle combination with test coupons before printing production parts.
- Sintering atmosphere: Use pure H₂ or 95% N₂ / 5% H₂ reducing atmosphere. Oxidising or inert atmospheres alone will not reduce surface oxides on the green body and will impair sintering densification.
- Bearing design: For oil-impregnated bushings, specify a porosity of 15–20% in the green body and use partial sintering (>90% density, not >97%) to retain interconnected porosity for oil retention. Full sintering closes pores.
- Dental application: BJ CuSn10 is now ISO 22674 Type 3–4 compatible for framework alloys. Verify biocompatibility data from the powder supplier for each specific application — regulatory approval pathway varies by country.
- Corrosion in seawater: CuSn10 forms a stable tin oxide/patina layer in seawater. Avoid galvanic coupling with aluminium (nobility difference); stainless steel is an acceptable galvanic partner with appropriate isolation.
Advantages
- Binder Jetting + sintering produces isotropic properties matching sand-cast CuSn10 — direct replacement for lost-wax or sand castings
- Excellent corrosion resistance in seawater and saline environments — no cathodic protection needed (unlike steel)
- Good sliding wear behaviour — compatible with steel shafts in lubricated bearing applications
- BJ-sintered parts can be manufactured without support structures in most geometries — cost-effective for complex shapes
- Familiar material in dental labs — smooth transition from traditional casting to BJ AM workflow
- Lower cost than Cu-CP or CuCrZr LPBF when using Binder Jetting — BJ machines are generally lower capex than green-laser LPBF
Limitations
- Low thermal and electrical conductivity (vs pure copper or CuCrZr) — not a thermal or electrical management material
- Binder Jetting sintering introduces ~15–20% linear shrinkage — dimensional compensation required; tolerances typically ±0.3–0.5% after sintering
- LPBF processing window is narrower than BJ — Sn volatility at high laser power can cause composition drift and balling
- Not suitable for elevated-temperature applications (>250°C) — Sn reduces melting point and high-temperature strength
- Lower strength than stainless steels or titanium — not a structural alloy for high-load applications
- Sintering atmosphere control is critical (H₂/N₂ or pure H₂) — oxide formation in insufficient reducing atmosphere degrades properties
Typical applications
Dental prosthetics and frameworks (BJ-sintered replaces lost-wax casting in dental labs)Bearings and bushings — sliding contacts, oil-impregnated bush bearingsMarine hardware: fittings, valves, pump components requiring seawater corrosion resistanceLubricated sliding contacts and wear platesArt, sculpture, jewellery, and architectural decorative elementsGear blanks and worm gears for low-load applicationsHydraulic manifolds and valve bodies for corrosive media
Industries
dentalindustrialoil-gasconsumerarchitecture
Compatible AM processes (2)
Other metal materials
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Related calculators
LPBF Porosity PredictorPredict lack-of-fusion and keyhole porosity from laser parameters. Maps VED and normalised enthalpy to relative density and flags dangerous regimes.Powder Characterisation TrackerScore a powder batch against key qualification metrics — particle size distribution, flowability, apparent/tap density, moisture, and oxygen content.RoughnessTheoretical Ra and Rz from layer thickness and surface angle (staircase effect). Upward, downward, and vertical faces. LPBF, SLS, FDM, SLA, DED. Per Grimm et al.NDT SelectorSelect the right non-destructive testing method for your AM part. Inputs: material class, defect focus, geometry, production volume, and criticality. Ranked scorecard across CT, X-ray, UT, FPI, MPI, eddy current, and visual inspection with detection limits and standard references.Post-ProcessingBottom-up cycle time for AM post-processing: stress relief, plate removal, support removal, HIP, heat treatment, surface finishing, and inspection. Per-part and batch modes.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-15 · v1 · Sources: yan-2019-cusn10-bj, uhlmann-2020-cusn10, luo-2018-bronze-lpbf
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