C11000 ETP Copper: Electrolytic Tough Pitch for Electrical Use vs C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze: High-Lead Tin Bronze
Side-by-side engineering comparison of C11000 ETP Copper: Electrolytic Tough Pitch for Electrical Use (ASTM B152/B187) and C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze: High-Lead Tin Bronze (ASTM B505/B271). Compare mechanical properties, chemical composition, density, yield strength, international equivalents, and typical applications to select the right material for your project.
Quick Verdict
Choose C11000 ETP copper when maximum electrical or thermal conductivity is the priority — bus bars, wiring, heat exchangers, and electrical connectors where its 101% IACS conductivity is the global benchmark. Choose C93200 bearing bronze when wear resistance, bearing performance, or castability is required — sleeve bearings, bushings, and wear plates where its lead-tin composition provides solid lubrication and embeddability....
Maximum electrical and thermal conductivity
Bearing performance and wear resistance
Quick Comparison
| Property | C11000 ETP Copper: Electr | C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Br |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM B152/B187 | ASTM B505/B271 |
| Category | Copper Alloy | Brass & Bronze |
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ | 8.93 g/cm³ |
| Yield Strength | 69 MPa (10 ksi) annealed; 310 MPa (45 ksi) hard | 125 MPa (18 ksi) |
| Tensile Strength | 220 MPa (32 ksi) annealed; 380 MPa (55 ksi) hard | 240 MPa (35 ksi) |
| Key Applications | C11000 Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) copper is the most common commercially pure copper grade, containing ≥99.90% Cu wi... | C93200 (SAE 660) is a continuously cast high-lead tin bronze (81-85% Cu, 6.3-7.5% Sn, 6-8% Pb, 2-4% Zn) that is the glob... |
International Equivalents
| C11000 ETP Copper: E Equivalents | C93200 SAE 660 Beari Equivalents |
|---|---|
| EN Cu-ETP | EN CuSn7Zn4Pb7 |
| CW004A | CC493K |
| JIS C1100 | JIS CAC406 |
| T2 Copper | ZCuSn5Pb5Zn5 |
| ISO Cu-ETP | SAE 660 |
How to Choose
| Choose C11000 ETP Copper: Electr when... | C11000 ETP copper delivers 101% IACS conductivity — the global standard for electrical bus bars and heat exchangers. |
| Choose C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Br when... | C93200 bearing bronze provides solid lubrication and embeddability for sleeve bearings and bushings. |
Decision Checklist: Which Is Right for You?
| Criterion | C11000 ETP Copper: E | C93200 SAE 660 Beari |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Electrical And Thermal Conductivity | ✓ | |
| Bearing Performance And Wear Resistance | ✓ | |
| Higher yield strength | ✓ | |
| Conductivity — C11000 provides 101% IACS electrical and 391 W/m·K ther... | ✓ | |
| Wear & bearing performance — C93200's lead-tin composition provides un... | ✓ | |
| Strength — bronze (240 MPa UTS) is 2-3× stronger than annealed copper ... | ✓ |
Selection Guide
Choose C11000 ETP copper when maximum electrical or thermal conductivity is the priority — bus bars, wiring, heat exchangers, and electrical connectors where its 101% IACS conductivity is the global benchmark. Choose C93200 bearing bronze when wear resistance, bearing performance, or castability is required — sleeve bearings, bushings, and wear plates where its lead-tin composition provides solid lubrication and embeddability. Copper for conductivity; bronze for bearings.
Key Decision Factors
- Conductivity — C11000 provides 101% IACS electrical and 391 W/m·K thermal conductivity; bronze's 12-20% IACS and 50-70 W/m·K are far lower — choose copper when energy transfer matters
- Wear & bearing performance — C93200's lead-tin composition provides unmatched bearing properties; copper galls and seizes under sliding load — choose bronze for any bearing or wear application
- Strength — bronze (240 MPa UTS) is 2-3× stronger than annealed copper (220 MPa UTS); the tin and lead additions provide strength and wear resistance
- Cost — C11000 copper costs $8-12/kg; C93200 bronze costs $10-15/kg; for conductivity applications the cost difference is irrelevant, for mechanical applications bronze's premium is justified by wear performance
When to Use Each
Use C11000 ETP Copper: E for:
C11000's 101% IACS conductivity is the highest of any commercial metal — standard for switchgear bus bars, transformer windings, and power distribution where resistance losses translate directly to heat and energy cost.
C11000's 391 W/m·K thermal conductivity (vs bronze's 50-70 W/m·K) makes it ideal for heat exchanger tubes, cold plates, and electronic heat sinks.
Copper's corrosion resistance to freshwater, formability, and antimicrobial properties make it standard for water tubes, roofing, and architectural flashings.
Use C93200 SAE 660 Beari for:
C93200's 7% lead content provides solid lubrication and embeddability (absorbing debris without scoring the shaft) — the global standard for industrial sleeve bearings, bushings, and thrust washers.
Bronze's corrosion resistance in freshwater and seawater, combined with wear resistance, makes it standard for pump impellers handling water and mild chemicals.
C93200's combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and embeddability makes it standard for worm wheels paired with hardened steel worms — the softer bronze sacrifices itself to protect the expensive worm gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between C11000 ETP Copper: Electrolyti and C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze:?
C11000 ETP Copper: Electrolytic Tough Pitch for Electrical Use (ASTM B152/B187) provides 69 MPa (10 ksi) annealed; 310 MPa (45 ksi) hard yield strength at 8.94 g/cm³ density, while C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze: High-Lead Tin Bronze (ASTM B505/B271) delivers 125 MPa (18 ksi) at 8.93 g/cm³. The choice depends on whether your application prioritizes maximum electrical and thermal conductivity or bearing performance and wear resistance.
Can C11000 ETP Copper: Electrolyti be substituted for C93200 SAE 660 Bearing Bronze:?
Direct substitution is generally not recommended as these materials belong to different categories (Copper Alloy vs Brass & Bronze) with fundamentally different properties. Consult a materials engineer for application-specific guidance.
Can I use copper instead of bronze for a bushing?
No. Pure copper (C11000) has very poor bearing properties — it galls and seizes against steel shafts under sliding load, and its low strength (69 MPa annealed yield) cannot sustain bearing loads. Bronze (C93200, with 7% Sn + 7% Pb) is specifically engineered for bearings: the tin provides strength, the lead provides solid lubrication, and the copper matrix provides thermal conductivity to dissipate friction heat. For light-duty bearings, C51000 phosphor bronze may work; for general industrial bearings, C93200 SAE 660 is the standard.
Why is copper more conductive than bronze?
Electrical conductivity in metals depends on the free-electron mobility, which is reduced by alloying-element atoms that scatter electrons. Pure copper (C11000, 99.9% Cu) has minimal scattering and achieves 101% IACS. Bronze's tin (7%) and lead (7%) atoms create lattice distortion and impurity scattering, reducing conductivity to 12-20% IACS. This is why pure metals (copper, silver, aluminum) are used for conductors, while alloys (bronze, brass, cupronickel) are used for mechanical applications — the alloying that improves strength inevitably reduces conductivity.
What is the difference between copper, brass, and bronze?
All three are copper-based alloys. Pure copper (C11000) is ≥99.9% Cu — used for conductivity. Brass is copper + zinc (e.g., C36000 = 60% Cu, 35% Zn, 3% Pb) — used for machinability and formability. Bronze is copper + tin (e.g., C93200 = 83% Cu, 7% Sn, 7% Pb, 3% Zn) — used for bearings and wear resistance. Bronze typically contains 5-12% tin and may include lead, zinc, or other elements. The three families overlap in composition (some 'brasses' contain tin, some 'bronzes' contain zinc), but the primary alloying element distinguishes them: Zn = brass, Sn = bronze, none = copper.
Is copper or bronze better for a heat exchanger?
Copper (C11000) is better for heat exchangers due to its 391 W/m·K thermal conductivity — 5-8× higher than bronze. Copper tubes are standard for shell-and-tube exchangers in HVAC, refrigeration, and power generation. Bronze (C93200) is used for pump impellers and wear plates within heat exchangers where its strength and wear resistance are needed, but not for the heat-transfer surfaces. For seawater-cooled exchangers, cupronickel (Cu-Ni 90/10 or 70/30) is preferred for its superior saltwater corrosion resistance over pure copper.
Can copper and bronze be joined?
Yes. Brazing is the standard joining method — silver brazing filler metals (BAg series) at 600-800°C produce strong, leak-tight joints between copper and bronze. Soldering works for low-temperature, low-stress joints. Welding copper to bronze is difficult due to copper's high thermal conductivity (heat dissipates before melting) and bronze's zinc/lead fuming. Threaded and mechanical joints (flared fittings, compression fittings) are common for copper-bronze transitions in plumbing and electrical hardware.