Overview
Bearium B-11 is a high-performance leaded bronze alloy that offers exceptional friction properties and superior strength within the Bearium family. This alloy features a unique microstructure with uniformly dispersed lead particles, resulting in excellent wear resistance and hardness. Composed of 70% copper, 10% tin, 2% nickel, and 18% lead, Bearium B-11 provides the highest tensile and yield strength among Bearium alloys. Ideal for demanding industrial applications, Bearium B-11 excels in environments with high speeds, poor lubrication, heat-generating loads, and elevated temperatures. It is particularly well-suited for bearings, bushings, and other components subjected to rubbing friction. The alloy's superior resistance to scoring and seizure makes it an excellent choice for applications where conventional bearing bronzes may fail, such as in dusty or gritty surroundings or when non-oil lubricants are used
Typical Uses
Bearings, bushings, cryogenic components, pump and valve components, shaft sleeves, turbine thrust bearings, wear rings.
MetalTek Designation
BEARIUM® B-11
Poured At:
Wisconsin Centrifugal Division
Similar Specifications
Typical Chemical Composition (% by wt.)
Aluminum: n/a
Carbon: n/a
Chromium: n/a
Manganese: n/a
Iron: n/a
Copper: 70
Nickel: 1.5
Lead: 18
Tin: 10
Silicon: n/a
Zinc: n/a 18
Minimum Mechanical Properties
NOTES: Typical properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bearing bronze is an alloy designed for low-friction, high-wear-resistance applications in machinery bearings and bushings.
Used in sleeve bearings, pump bushings, and machinery where lubrication and wear resistance are essential.
It offers low friction, good load capacity, machinability, and resistance to seizure and galling in lubricated conditions.
Bearing bronze exhibits excellent conformability, embeddability, and resistance to wear and fatigue, making it ideal for sliding contact applications.
Bearium B-11 features excellent mechanical strength, wear resistance, and shock load capacity while maintaining machinability and embeddability.
Yes, Bearium B-11 is designed for use in aerospace and marine bearing systems where both reliability and extreme load capacity are critical.
Under stress, Bearium B-11 maintains structural integrity and resists galling, scoring, and fatigue, even under intermittent lubrication.