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Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:55 pm
by silverflake
OK, if this info is on a thread somewhere on realcent let me know, but here's my question:

What exactly is the composition of bronze?

Also, what is the exact composition of brass?

Just thought I would test your mettle,
Thanks in advance to my realcent friends for any answers.

Re: Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:30 pm
by Bluegill
I'm not an expert but typically a bronze is a copper/tin alloy and brass is a copper/zinc alloy. Most bronze coins also contain some zinc.

Re: Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:42 pm
by Thogey
Calling Dr Cadmium

Re: Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:23 am
by Engineer
Bluegill wrote:I'm not an expert but typically a bronze is a copper/tin alloy and brass is a copper/zinc alloy.


Bluegill is correct.

Re: Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:00 am
by silverflake
OK, thanks for the info guys but I am looking for the breakdown (ratio) of copper/tin etc. In other words, what percent of copper and tin make up bronze etc.

Thanks again.

Re: Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:31 am
by Kurr
There is no specific you ask for. It all depends on what they want to use it for. They might add an extra 1% or less on some things and up to 5% or more of other to give the finished product particular qualities.

They might add zinc and aluminum to copper to make a more machinable brass. Or they might add a smidge of nickel or something for wear resistance or something for any corrosion applications.

The specific metallurgical recipie will depend on the application.

Read this and it might shed some light on what I mean:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alloy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_al ... _of_copper

Re: Metallurgical Question

PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:38 am
by silverflake
Thanks, Kurr. Good stuff.