Bronze is a metal produce by alloying copper and tin in various amounts according to the need of work. Modern bronze alloy has a configuration of 88% copper and 12% tin. Commercial bronze 90% copper and 10% zinc and architectural bronze 57% copper, 3% lead, 40% zinc are more properly regarded as brass alloys because they contain zinc as the main alloying ingredient. They are commonly used in architectural applications.
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| face made of bronze metal |
Bismuth bronze
is a bronze alloy with a composition of 52% copper, 30% nickel, 12%
zinc, 5% lead, and 1% bismuth. It is able to hold a good polish and so
is sometimes used in light reflectors and mirrors.
Plastic bronze is bronze containing a significant quantity of lead which makes for improved plasticity. Other bronze alloys include aluminium bronze, phosphor bronze, manganese bronze, bell metal, arsenical bronze, speculum metal and cymbal alloys.
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| bronze bearings |
Properties
- they have less melting point than steels,
- they are softer and weaker than steel,
- they resists sea water corrosion better than steel,
- they resists metal fatigue better than steel,
- bronze struck against a hard surface will not generate sparks, as steels do,
- good conductor of heat and electrcity than steel,
- bronze also has very low metal-on-metal friction,
- they are non magnetic, but if contain iron or nickel they shows the magnetic behavior.
Uses
- it is used in boats and ship fittings,
- as ship propellers and submerged bearings,
- bronze parts are tough and are used for bearings, clips, electrical connectors and springs.
- used in automobile transmission pilot bearings,
- phosphor bronze is particularly suited to precision-grade bearings and springs. It is also used in guitar and piano strings.
- bronze struck against a hard surface will not generate sparks, so it along with beryllium copper is used to make hammers, mallets, wrenches and other durable tools to be used in explosive atmospheres or in the presence of flammable vapors.
- bronze is the preferred metal for top-quality bells,
- bronze has been used in the manufacture of various types of medals,
- used for making coins.
