Machining Guidelines for Nickel Aluminum Bronze

On modern CNC equipment, Nickel Aluminum Bronze is relatively easy to machine.  Depending on the alloy, machinability ratings vary between 20 to 50 (with free cutting brass being 100).  It’s still difficult to give exact machining guidelines, as the feeds and speeds rates vary depending and the size and age of CNC lathes used.  This article with try to give some general guidelines to give you an idea where to start

Lubrication –

Lubrication is recommended when machining Nickel Aluminum Bronze, particularly where close tolerances are required. Like other copper based alloys, heat generation caused by the machining of the metal can cause expansion and when the part cools can result in contraction which will take the part out of tolerance.

Tooling-

Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloys can produce a curled swarf chip which can jam tooling and cause surface imperfections.  Particularly when machining bores.  It’s advisable to have a chip breaking profile and have sufficient lubrication, sometimes under high pressure, so that the swarf is removed from the cutting face.  Another option is to retract the tooling on a regular basis to prevent excessive metal build up.  

A coated carbide titanium indexable tip is recommended for roughing and removal of the bulk of the stock.  For heavy metal removal, the size of the tip needs to increase.

Alloy Machinability-

C95500 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – 50

C63000 AMS 4640 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – 30

C95510 AMS 4880 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – 50

C63020 AMS 4590 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – Not listed

Hardness-

C95500 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – BHN 208

C63000 AMS 4640 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – HB 201-248

C95510 AMS 4880 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – HB 187 – 241

C63020 AMS 4590 Nickel Aluminum Bronze – RC 26

Hopefully the information above helps give you some idea on how to machine Nickel Aluminum Bronze.  Here at National Bronze Mfg. we supply both the raw material and completely machine components.  For more information on these products follow the links below:

C63000 AMS 4640 Nickel Aluminum Bronze

C95510 AMS 4880 Nickel Aluminum Bronze

C63020 AMS 4590 Nickel Aluminum Bronze

C95500 9D Nickel Aluminum Bronze

Custom Machined Parts