Gold, silver, and bronze are three very popular metals, and for one quite odd reason—they represent the order of winners in a competition. Perhaps this old ranking system was based on the differences of these metals in terms of their physical attributes and perceived value. Gold, being the rarest and having the highest monetary value among the three, ranks first. Silver has certain similarities to gold except the yellowish shade, so it follows behind. Bronze, the least visually appealing and the most commonly produced among them, ranks third.

In a metalworker’s viewpoint, however, this order does not apply. In fact, if the metals will be ranked according to their usefulness, the result might be the exact opposite. You will easily understand why bronze is more useful than either silver or gold upon identifying its different properties as well as the many extensively used alloys it has spawned over the last couple of millennia.

Useful Properties of Bronze.

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, so primarily it exhibits the chief characteristics of both metals. It also exhibits new properties that are unique to the combination, each of which can be improved by either manipulating the content ratio or adding other types of metal into the mixture. Here are some of bronze’s known useful properties.

Ductility.

Both copper and tin are ductile metals so bronze is expected to be ductile as well. It can be stretched or drawn into wires of different cross-sectional diameters without breaking, so much so that a lot of springs, strings, and other types of gear found in an array of instruments are made of this metal.

Low Friction.

When two objects are rubbed against each other, they produce friction, which is characterized by the gradual rise in temperature of the materials in question. In mechanical design, friction means heat, and heat means decrease in performance or potential wear and tear. Bronze is known to show very low friction against other metals, making it a perfect material for certain machine parts.

Patina Formation.

Quite a number of metals are capable of forming a protective shield on their surface when exposed to oxygen (to prevent further oxidation), mostly copper alloys. This layer of protective shield is called patina. Bronze is one of them, and in fact the most well-known patina-producing metal. It usually develops a greenish patina, which for many sculptors and antique collectors is a priceless characteristic to boot.

Does Not Generate Spark.

Aside from heat, most metals produce spark when they collide against each other. This poses risk of fire if not managed properly. And so it is preferred to simply design mechanical systems using metals that do not spark when struck with other metals. Bronze is perfect for such applications.

Different Types of Bronze.

Different types of bronze can be produced by manipulating its content. By reducing or increasing either copper or tin, a new type of bronze with a different set of characteristics can be produced. Here are some of the most widely used variations of bronze.

Aluminum Bronze.

Although bronze does not rust or react badly to oxidation, there are other corrosive forces that it’s not tough enough to resist. To improve its corrosion resistance, it must be combined with a metal that is well-known for such property—aluminum. By adding up to 12% of aluminum, you can come up with a bronze that performs better in pressurized environments. More commonly known as aluminum bronze, this new alloy is an excellent choice for making marine hardware and pump systems that deal with corrosive chemicals.

Phosphor Bronze.

One strange thing about alloys is that a tiny shift in the content ratio can have a huge impact on the properties of the original metal. In the case of phosphor bronze, for instance, only about 0.35% phosphorus is added and yet bronze’s strength of is almost doubled. This is not to say that adding more phosphorus makes bronze even stronger. Only in this exact amount will you be able to produce such an incredibly strong material. Phosphorus bronze is utilized for making electrical components, washers, springs, bellows, and more.

Nickel Brass.

You may think that there’s some kind of mistake and nickel brass shouldn’t be in this category. In truth, it’s just called “brass” but its content is essential bronze. Formed by combining copper, tin, and nickel, the brownish shade of bronze turns into a silvery one. Apart from the unique shade, it also improves bronze’s corrosion resistance. The word “brass” in its name most likely came from the fact that several brass instruments are made of this metal.

Silicon Bronze.

Silicon bronze consists of copper, tin, and guess what, silicon. Zinc is also added in most cases but only in trace amounts to prevent confusing the resulting metal with brass. The combination makes bronze more resistant to rust when exposed to moisture. And since silicon converts the ability to produce patina into natural resistance against oxidation, you can expect silicon bronze to keep its original look without turning into green or brown.

A lot of other alloys can be produced by tweaking the composition of bronze, and many of these alloys are already available on the market. You can see them as bronze tube, sheet, and bar items in supply stores. If your project requires a specific type of bronze, such as Muntz Metal, don’t hesitate to go to any of the country’s most reputable supplier. Rotax Metals is one of those suppliers you should go to first.

Among the metals that have great contributions to global development, copper is arguably the most valuable. Apart from being the first metal to have been discovered and utilized by man, it also has spawned a long list of alloys that now aid the advancement of various industries.

Why Copper Is a Popular Material

There are a number of reasons why copper is quite a remarkable material. First, it’s fairly malleable, which means it can be hammered, rolled, or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. That property alone allows copper to be utilized for a plethora of applications. It’s no wonder many are looking for a good copper sheet supplier to provide the needs of their projects.

Second, copper is ductile. Quite many metals have a similar property but copper exhibits a degree of ductility that can actually be put to good use. This metal also has high electrical and thermal conductivity, so it’s perfect for applications that involve high temperature and voltage. Since it is also ductile, copper makes a good material for electrical wires. In fact, majority of electrical wires used in any industry are made of copper.

Copper also has antimicrobial properties, which is extremely useful for water filtration and purification applications. With all of these valuable properties, it’s hard to think of life moving forward with copper. Most people may not notice it but this metal can be found almost everywhere from within the walls of their homes to under the hood of their vehicles.

To give you a better idea of how useful copper is, here are the major industries that utilize it.

Building and Construction

The construction industry is the biggest consumer of copper supplies in 2017. For the past few decades, it’s the electrical and electronics industry that used the majority of copper products, but it seems modern structural designs that are geared toward longevity and efficiency require better performing metals like copper.

Normally, copper is used for making heat exchanger tubes for condensers in steam power stations and chemical plants, irrigation and agricultural sprinkler systems, and piping at distillation plants. It is also the best material so far to be used for building seawater feed lines, cement pumps for drill water supply, and tubes for distribution of natural and liquefied petroleum.

Electrical and Electronics

Copper is still the most ideal metal for making electrical wires and essential parts of electronic devices and machines. If you break into a cellphone or tablet, chances are you’ll find a bunch of small pieces, including connectors, circuitry wiring and contacts, printed circuit boards, micro-chips, and electromagnets. Most, if not all, of these parts are made of copper. While other metal types can be used, copper exhibits high efficiency and conductivity, which are expected from these items.

Transportation Equipment

Did you know that there’s roughly 25 kg of copper in your vehicle, and if you remove the parts made of it will render your vehicle completely useless? These parts include the wiring for glass defrost systems, fittings, fasteners, and brass screws, and hydraulic lines. Copper also performs a great deal in the vehicle’s electromagnetic needs.

These are only a few of the applications of copper that you should know about before purchasing copper and brass sales for your project. Understanding how valuable the metal you are using is, you will have greater respect for its use and be extra careful when choosing the correct alloy. To make sure your copper supplies are of the highest quality, turn only to a reputable supplier like Rotax Metals.