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FINE GRAIN BRONZE

Fine grain continuous cast bars feature a uniform, dense microstructure that enhances mechanical properties, wear resistance, and machinability compared to conventional cast methods. Fine grain continuous cast bars and tubes are easier to finish and result in longer life for bearings, gears, and other copper alloy parts.

Fine Grain Transverse Section

Fine Grain Bronze Transverse cross section

Fine Grain Longitudinal Section

Fine Grain Bronze Longitudinal_edited.jp

Conventional Transverse Section

Bronze Transverse cross section

Conventional Longitudinal Section

Bronze Longitudinal cross section

The fine grain continuous cast process creates a microstructure where the individual crystals (grains) are small and uniformly distributed.

 

When fine grain continuous cast bars and tubes are specified, engineers, buyers, and producers are asking for and getting, the best cast structure available.

Characteristics and Benefits 

  • Enhanced Performance: The extreme fineness and uniformity of the structure permit more severe forming and machining operations, reducing tool wear.

  • Improved Surface Finish: Fine grain cast bars and tubes are easier to micro-finish, providing longer life for bearings and gears.

  • Structural Composition: Typically consists of a solid solution phase (𝛼-phase) along with other, more finely dispersed phases (such as 𝛿-eutectoid in CuSn12-C).

  • Strength and Durability: Manganese bronze and Aluminum bronze often exhibit high tensile and yield strength, with aluminum bronze forming a protective surface layer, making it ideal for harsh, corrosive environments. 

 

Common Applications 

  • Bearings and Gears: Fine-grain structures are essential for high-wear applications.

  • Marine Equipment: Manganese bronze and aluminum bronze are used for propellers and pumps.

  • Valve Components: Due to superior machinability and strength. 

bronze

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What's Driving
Metal Prices

Factors creating the on-going surge in copper prices and base metal prices.

The U.S. imposed a 50% Section 232 tariff on the copper content of semi-finished and derivative copper products, effective August 1, 2025. These tariffs aim to bolster domestic production but create complexities for businesses in pricing, sourcing, and compliance, affecting global copper markets. 

In addition copper costs are soaring due to massive demand from the energy transition (EVs, renewables, grid) and AI data centers colliding with slow mine supply growth, production disruptions (labor, technical issues), aging mines, and government policies like tariffs, creating a structural supply deficit. 

Tin prices jumped to a record level due to a severe, ongoing global supply squeeze from mine disruptions (DRC, Myanmar, Indonesia) and increasing demand driven by its critical role in electronics (solder), green energy tech, and packaging, creating a significant market deficit and attracting speculative investment. Supply chain issues, including export permit delays and political instability in key producing regions, combined with growing recognition of tin's necessity for the energy transition, fueled a rally to multi-year highs in late 2025 and early 2026. 

Nickel prices are rising due to anticipated supply cuts from major producer Indonesia, tighter quotas, increased demand from stainless steel and EV battery sectors (despite some LFP shifts), speculative buying, and broader market strength in metals, with investors reacting to policy signals and potential disruptions.

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