Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, with added elements for specific properties. It is used in various applications, including bells, statues, and machine parts. It has minimal friction, is non-sparking, and develops a protective patina. Care should be taken when cleaning to avoid damaging the patina.
Bronze is a metal alloy produced by mixing copper and tin in varying amounts, depending on the application. Additional elements, such as manganese, lead and phosphorus, are added to create alloys with specific properties. This metal is commonly found in bells, statues, bearings, gears, valves, pipes, and other plumbing fittings, and is a sturdy and durable metal when looked after well. Humans have worked with it for over 3,000 years in various parts of the world, using it for weapons, coins, tableware, and an assortment of other household purposes.
Most bronze is made by melting copper and tin together. When smelted for use in statues, it often contains between about 10% tin and some zinc and lead. When used in bells, it usually has between 20 and 25% tin. Additives are included when the metal needs to be more workable, harder, or easier to cast. For example, phosphorus is added to harden it for use in pipes and various machine parts, while lead is included to make it easier to smelt. It is often confused with brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, but the two metals have different properties and are used for different things. Plus, it’s much harder than brass.
This metal has several properties that make it valuable in industrial applications. The first is that it causes minimal friction, making it very useful for machine parts and other applications that involve metal-to-metal contact, such as gears. It is also non-sparking, so it is often used to make tools for use in combustible environments. Its resonance also makes it ideal for use in bell casting.
One of the most unique properties of bronze is the natural patina that forms on it, turning the surface into a dark, dull color. This patina is actively encouraged with most items, because it provides a protective layer, preventing oxidation beneath the surface. Before being shipped, most items are coated in a thin layer of lacquer to protect the metal and patina, making the items very easy to care for.
This metal alloy looks best when treated minimally. It should be kept very clean with a soft cloth and can be waxed every two years to renew the patina, but it should not be heavily polished or scrubbed and abrasives should never be used. Heavily soiled items can be brushed gently or washed with a solution of 1 tablespoon (18 g) of salt in 3 liters (2.8 l) of boiling water, provided it is rinsed and dried. Rarely, items will be attacked by “bronze disease,” a type of corrosion that eats away at metal. If a piece begins to corrode, it can be washed in multiple changes of boiling distilled water or professionally treated.
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