The Many Uses of Bronze
Bronze is a precious metal that has seen various uses throughout the course of history. This combination of copper and tin is as old as ancient civilization, first used in weapons of war, then for everyday tools. Ancient statues were known to have been made entirely of bronze. It was not long before bronze saw its architectural potential—an affordable substitute for gold in making decorations.
Like other alloys containing copper, bronze melts at a lower temperature compared with most metals. Therefore, they are easy to mold into different shapes and sizes, depending on client specifications. Bronze is also protected by a thin carbonate layer that protects it from corroding. It took on the role of stainless steel before the actual product was introduced to the industry. Nonetheless, bronze is still widely-used.
Bronze has a variety of uses, depending on the ingredients that make up the copper-based alloy. Although tin is commonly the main additive, other elements go just as well with copper, each exhibiting unique properties. Commercial bronze, also known as brass, uses zinc instead of tin as an additive to copper. This kind of bronze is used as materials for restoration work and architectural purposes.
The non-corrosive properties of bronze bars make them key components in making ship fittings. As most fittings take on water, the materials needed to produce them have to withstand corrosion by seawater. Prior to stainless steel as an industrial material, bronze was the prime choice for shipbuilders. Propellers, rudders, and parts of a ship’s hull are all made from bronze.
Another property of the copper-based alloy is that it does not spark when struck. Machine components that require making contact with each other are made of bronze plate. Hammers, mallets, and other hardware tools also contain bronze. The alloy exhibits good resilience under stress while reduced friction helps it prevent fires.
Bronze is the most popular choice when making musical instruments especially percussion instruments. Cymbals on drum sets are made of bronze plate to produce the desired timbre when struck. Bronze strings in acoustic guitars, as well as pianos and organs, produce louder sounds because of its high tensile strength.
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