Copper Alloy ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li
Finish state
Li = centrifugally cast
Preferred for sleeve bushings and bimetal bearing liners — dense, gas-free wall with minimal lead segregation.
Values for the Li condition
Other ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 tempers and conditions
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDefault Sand cast | Default and most stocked form for bearing blanks, bushings and general fittings; lowest tooling cost, largest size range. | 80 | 170 | 8 | 60 HB | 11 % IACS |
Permanent (metal) mould cast | Choose for higher-volume small bushings needing finer structure, better strength and dimensional accuracy than sand casting. | 90 | 195 | 10 | 65 HB | 11 % IACS |
Continuous cast bar/tube | Stock bar and tube for machined bushings and thrust washers; uniform fine grain and good machining stock removal. | 90 | 190 | 9 | 65 HB | 11 % IACS |
LiThis page Centrifugally cast | Preferred for sleeve bushings and bimetal bearing liners — dense, gas-free wall with minimal lead segregation. | 95 | 200 | 9 | 68 HB | 11 % IACS |
What is ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li?
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li is ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 supplied in the Li condition — preferred for sleeve bushings and bimetal bearing liners — dense, gas-free wall with minimal lead segregation. ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li has a density of 9.2 g/cm³ (0.332 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 770°C (1,418 °F). S is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Li is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of copper alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 98% of copper alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 78 GPa (11.3 Msi), worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 97% of copper alloy grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 94% of copper alloy grades
- Low strength — 95 MPa (13.8 ksi), worse than 87% of copper alloy grades
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among copper alloy grades.
Physical3
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li has a density of 9.2 g/cm³ (0.332 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of copper alloy grades. It melts at 770°C (1,418 °F).
Mechanical14
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of copper alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 18.5 µm/m·K (10.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, worse than 68% of copper alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (57/100), worse than 80% of copper alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of copper alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li
Is ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour — use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed and 0° to slightly negative rake for boring; chips break naturally, coolant mainly for size control.
Can ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 be welded?
Essentially unweldable by fusion methods; high lead causes hot tearing and porosity — repair by re-casting or mechanical/adhesive joining instead.
Can ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast only (sand, permanent mould, centrifugal, continuous); wide freezing range needs directional solidification and adequate feeding to avoid lead sweat and micro-shrinkage; not cold-formable.
What surface finishes work on ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4?
Machined bores are burnished or diamond-bored for bearing surfaces; can be tin- or nickel-plated for corrosion protection; anodising is not applicable and fine polishing is limited by lead smear.
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Sn | 3.5 – 5 | 4.2 |
| Pb | 14 – 20 | 17 |
| Zn | 2 – 6 | 4 |
| Niimpurity limit (counted in Cu) | ≤ 2.5 | — |
| Sbimpurity limit | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cu | ≥ 74 (balance) | — |
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li — frequently asked
What is ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li used for?
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li is typically used for general bearings, machine bushings and low-speed sleeves. In short: lowest-cost leaded bronze; low-speed bearing grade; 200 °C service limit.
What is the yield strength of ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li?
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li has a typical yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 87% of copper alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of copper alloy grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour — use sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, high speed, light feed and 0° to slightly negative rake for boring; chips break naturally, coolant mainly for size control.
Can ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially unweldable by fusion methods; high lead causes hot tearing and porosity — repair by re-casting or mechanical/adhesive joining instead.
What surface finishes work on ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li?
Machined bores are burnished or diamond-bored for bearing surfaces; can be tin- or nickel-plated for corrosion protection; anodising is not applicable and fine polishing is limited by lead smear.
Can ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li be formed, bent or molded?
Cast only (sand, permanent mould, centrifugal, continuous); wide freezing range needs directional solidification and adequate feeding to avoid lead sweat and micro-shrinkage; not cold-formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li?
ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-S and ZCuPb17Sn4Zn4-Li?
S is the default condition — default and most stocked form for bearing blanks, bushings and general fittings; lowest tooling cost, largest size range. Li: preferred for sleeve bushings and bimetal bearing liners — dense, gas-free wall with minimal lead segregation. Yield strength is 80 MPa in S versus 95 MPa in Li.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- CDA alloy datasheet C93800 / C93900 high-leaded tin bronze — Copper Development Association (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.