BCS

Metal Ingots

Description:

BCS stocks metal ingots in the following alloys:

Aluminum: A356

  

    Aluminum Alloy A356 is the "industry standard" for casting aluminum.  This is a versatile alloy has good machining properties and can be solution heat treated.  It contains approx. 7% Silicon and 0.3% magnesium, the balance being aluminum.  Good choice for both sand and permanent mold castings.

Brass: C854 Leaded Yellow

    Leaded yellow brass has good castability, moderate strength, and a pleasing yellow color that polishes well.  It machines well with a machinability index of 80 (Compared to "free machining brass" of 100).  It is used in furniture fittings, musical instruments and decorative ornamental fittings.  It is the brass of choice for marine brightwork. For marine structural applications I'm told that C873 (Everdure) is a better choice because of its higher long term strength in a salt water environment.  Leaded yellow brass contains approx. 67% Copper, 29% Zinc, 3% Lead, and 1% Tin.  2050 F is a good starting point for pouring.

    Although the lead content makes this an easy alloy to machine it is recommended that the material not be used in any application where the lead might pose a hazard. This brass can be joined by soldering or brazing.  Brazing temperatures will approach that of the "hot short" temperature for this material, so it needs to be fixtured carefully to prevent movement or stress during brazing.  (The hot short point of a material is that at which the metal will easily fracture or crumble). 

Brass: C836 Leaded Red

    Leaded Red Brass is known for its wear resistance, moderate strength, good castability, easy machining (Index of 84) , good corrosion resistance, and interesting appearance.  Red Brass is probably the most widely cast brass composition.  It is popular for ornamental fixtures because of its deep reddish color.  The material is composed of approx. 85% Copper, 5% Lead, 5% Tin, and 5% Zinc.  Try 2150 F as a pouring temperature. 

    Although the lead content makes this an easy alloy to machine it is recommended that the material not be used in any application where the lead might pose a hazard.  This brass can be joined by soldering or brazing.  Brazing temperatures will approach that of the "hot short" temperature for this material, so it needs to be fixtured carefully to prevent movement or stress during brazing and cooling.  Welding is not recommended.    

Bronze: C873 (Everdur)

    Alloy C873 is also known as a Silicon-Bronze (or sometimes Silicon-Brass).  Because of it's low lead content silicon-bronze is often a replacement for leaded plumbing brasses.  Silicon Bronze is considered to be ideal for the amateur foundry.  It can be remelted numerous times without changing composition.  It has excellent pouring characteristics and gives a good surface finish. It has poor machinability however (Index of 40).  The main use of this material is in art sculpture and plaques. It can be readily joined by brazing with oxyacetylene. It is composed of approximately 95% Copper, 4% Silicon, and 1% Manganese. It's pouring temperature is 1850 F - 2150 F.

Zinc Alloy: ZA-27 (Zamack-27)

    Zinc Alloy ZA-27 is an under appreciated metal for foundry use.  This metal is 1.5 to 3 times stronger than cast aluminum, and can have the tensile strength of grey or malleable cast iron!  It's casting temperature is in the range of 950-1,100 Deg F as compared to aluminum at 1,450 Deg F.  It is important to keep the material from being overheated when melting.  Zinc fumes are hazardous.  The machinability of ZA-27 is very good.
    Zinc alloys are sometimes known as "Pot Metal".  Zamack alloys are often used in die casting as well as sand casting.  Thin, complex die cast sections are possible with this alloy.  Unfortunately some designs have pushed the limits of these thin sections and the resulting failures have given zinc a bad name.  Don't be misled,  ZA-27 is an excellent casting material!
        

Safety & M.S.D.S.

Ordering Info:

We now stock metals in full ingots and cut up.  The weights of the full  ingots will vary since the manufacturing process for "pigging" out ingots is imprecise.  The actual price charged will be prorated based on the actual weight of the full ingot shipped.

This material is also available cut into 2 inch slices.  The sections are the height and width of the ingots (approx. 4 " x 3" x 12" for copper alloys, and 1-1/2"  x  2" x 23" for Zamack), cut into 2 inch slices (like a loaf of bread!).  You can order any number of pounds that you want. 

Ordering Info:

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ITEMS!
(In the lower 48 states)

Item
Description
Qty
Price
  
#9100
 Aluminum A356
Full Ingot
(Approx. 13 Lbs)
$4.50 Per Lb
($58.50)

#9102
 Aluminum A356
Cut into 2" sections
$5.75 Per Lb

 
  
 
 
  
#9110
 Bronze, Silicon, C873 (Everdur)
Full Ingot
(Approx. 21 Lbs)
$7.75 Per Lb
($162.75)

#9112
 Bronze, Silicon, C873 (Everdur)
Cut into 2" sections
$9.50 Per Lb

 
  
 
 
  
#9120
 Brass, Leaded Yellow, C854
Full Ingot
(Approx. 21 Lbs)
$7.75 Per Lb
($162.75)

#9122
 Brass, Leaded Yellow, C854
Cut into 2" sections
$9.50 Per Lb

 
  
 
 
  
#9130
 Brass, Leaded Red, C836
Full Ingot
(Approx. 21 Lbs)
$7.75 Per Lb
($162.75)

#9132
 Brass, Leaded Red, C836
Cut into 2" sections
$9.50 Per Lb

 
  
 
 
  
#9140
 Zinc / Aluminum Alloy, ZA-27
Full Ingot
(Approx. 15 Lbs)
$3.85 Per Lb
($57.75)

#9142
 Zinc / Aluminum Alloy, ZA-27
Cut into 2" sections
$5.10 Per Lb

Where To?

Copyright © 2002 - 2008 Budget Casting Supply LLC. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 10, 2007