Phosphorous Bronze chemical etching is a process for complex electromechanical components in various industries.
Phosphorus Bronze is a tough alloy characterized by high strength, low coefficient of friction, and fine grain structure.
Formulations for this alloy, which is also called Phosphor Bronze, contain primarily Copper alloyed with 0.5 to 11% Tin and 0.01 to 0.35% Phosphorus. Tin increases corrosion resistance and strength, while Phosphorus improves wear resistance and stiffness.
Fotofab's chemical etching process produces designs that can withstand harsh indoor and outdoor environments. The process uses an acid (Ferric Chloride) to etch into unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design or image formed to your project’s specifications.
Fotofab products are made in the USA and distributed worldwide.
Characteristics of Phosphorous Bronze
- Nonmagnetic
- Superior fatigue resistance
- Robust and high strength
- A low coefficient of friction
- Anti-wear properties
- A fine grain structure
Phosphorous Bronze Etching Applications
Phosphorus Bronze is used to manufacture electromechanical components for myriad industries, including electronics, electrical, communications, automatic controllers and automobiles. By varying the levels of Tin and Phosphorus during formulation, this alloy exhibits unique levels of strength, corrosion resistance, stiffness and anti-wear characteristics. Common acid etched Bronze components include:
- Connectors
- Lead frames
- Lead terminals
- Transistor terminals
- Switch contacts
- Rotary switch slides
- Circuit breaker contacts
- Fuse clips
- Bearing frames
- Hydraulic pressure caps
- Packing
- Bearings
- Clutch plates
- Cryogenics
Other Factors
- An environmentally friendly alloy that does not contain harmful components deoxidized by Phosphorus
- Phosphorous Bronze comes in a wide array of standard alloys, including non-ferrous spring alloys, free-machining alloys, Phosphor Bronze, and Bearing Bronze
- Increasing the Phosphorous content leads to formation of a very hard compound Cu3P (Copper Phosphide), resulting in a brittle form of Phosphor Bronze, which has a narrow range of applications
- The phosphorus reduces the viscosity of the molten alloy, which makes it easier and cleaner to cast and reduces grain boundaries between crystallites.