Composition, characteristics and features of bronze
Every person has heard or seen bronze; the composition of the alloy of this metal remains a mystery to many. This article describes the types, what it comes from and where it is used. They learned to obtain metal at the dawn of the third millennium BC.
Since then, proportions have changed more than once, technology has improved, but has never lost its importance for human civilization.
The metal has unique performance and decorative characteristics, which is why it is still used in various modern areas.
Bronze is an alloy of several components that determine its main characteristics. The result is a material that has no limits in application. The very first products were used by people who lived in Mesopotamia and Southern Iran. This is confirmed by archaeological finds. What the mixture is made from and what components modern masters add, you will learn from the next section.
Compound
To obtain a high-quality bronze alloy, the composition must consist of one or more base substances, as well as alloying additives. The main component is copper, and the rest are needed to improve the performance of the material. The alloying component used is:
- manganese;
- tin;
- lead;
- chromium;
- phosphorus;
- iron.
Zinc and nickel are used in extreme cases, because this combination with copper produces completely different alloys (brass and cupronickel, respectively).
The amount of additives in the mixture may vary. But this is precisely what affects the color of the metal. For example, a fiery red hue indicates the presence of a large amount of copper. By the cold steel color you can understand that the mixture contains no more than 35%.
The number of additional elements should not exceed 2.5 percent of the total mass. In addition to copper, bronze contains other metals: tin, aluminum, lead, silicon and beryllium. Based on the element used, the combination is given a name. Whatever alloying additives are chosen, only copper, which determines most of the characteristics, remains constant.
The chemical composition of bronze determines what kind of alloy and grade it will turn out to be. All types differ in the mass fraction of main components and impurities. The exact quantities are given in a special table, where several are considered and the impurities used are indicated.
Properties and characteristics
Bells were cast from an alloy consisting of copper and tin a few years ago. Today, other types are actively used, which, in addition to tin, include other chemical elements. Each of them gives special qualities to bronze.
Alloys containing beryllium are characterized by increased strength. But silicon, as well as zinc, added in small quantities, improves the fluidity of the metal. Therefore, this composition is often used in foundries, or they cover the surface of various products with it. Why do they become resistant to abrasion?
A small amount of zinc included in the total mass does not change the mechanical properties of the composition. The element reduces the cost of the finished material, so sometimes industry specifically introduces up to 10% zinc to reduce production costs.
Alloys containing lead become resistant to corrosion. Aluminum, as an alloying additive, gives the composition anti-friction properties. What qualities the finished product will have directly depends on the presence of one or more additional elements in it, as well as on their quantity.
Bronze is a metal that has increased strength, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. Products made from it are not afraid of atmospheric conditions, the ingress of salt water, or various solutions containing organic acids. The alloy can be welded and soldered and comes in a variety of shades from red to white.
It differs not only in chemical composition, but also in processing technology. Modern industry is familiar with such methods as: deformable and foundry. If a mixture is required that will withstand cold forging, then the components are processed using the first method. The alloy from which the products are cast is processed using the second method.
Today there are many brands that differ in characteristics and scope of application. Experienced craftsmen who have been working with the mixture for a long time can determine what type it is by taking a quick glance. But people who are simply interested can obtain information by examining the markings, which consist of letters and numbers.
A description of the characteristics will help you better understand what the mixture is, but it is worth studying the pros and cons. It has many more positive aspects than negative ones. Therefore, the material has not lost popularity for such a long time due to the mass of excellent qualities. These include the fact that products made from such metal can be melted down an unlimited number of times. At the same time, the alloy remains of the same quality as after production.
It is popular among sculptors, in the field of instrumentation and machine tools, because it gives minimal shrinkage. In order for it to be amenable to mechanical processing, the composition should not contain more than 5% lead. Since it is this component that provides lightweight chip breaking. The presence of phosphorus in the composition deoxidizes the mixture, but only if no more than 1% of the alloying component is added.
Tin bronze
Tin is most often used as an additive to copper. After all, it is this component that gives copper its special qualities. The combination with tin has the following properties:
- fusibility;
- hardness;
- elasticity.
The finished material is convenient for polishing, and due to the presence of additional components, it is often used for casting. The advantage of tin bronzes is their wide range of applications. But everything depends on the quantitative content of the elements.
Because this parameter changes the performance characteristics. For example, when only 5% tin is added, the ductility is reduced. If the amount of an element is quadrupled, the material becomes brittle. Depending on this, the finished product can be used in different ways.
A mixture where the proportion of tin exceeds 6 percent is sent for casting, but it is not suitable for forging or rolling. The metal, which has a pleasant silvery-white color, contains 33% tin. If this parameter decreases/increases, the shade of the material will also change, from red to yellow. Photos of non-ferrous metal can be seen in a variety of places, from school textbooks to modern museums.
Tin free bronze
If the mixture does not contain tin, then it is called special or tin-free. In this case, elements such as:
- aluminum;
- iron;
- lead;
- silicon;
The scope of application of this combination is also extensive. But the mixture itself is very different from tin. The main difference is superior quality and the fact that copper without tin has an even richer range of colors.
If you combine copper with aluminum, you get a mixture that has superior quality characteristics. It is also highly resistant to chemicals. The combination of copper with silicon and zinc gives the metal fluidity. Due to its liquid state, it is easy to process.
The beryllium type is superior to all others in elasticity and high hardness. The material also has such qualities as high weldability and chemical resistance. It is convenient to work with this type of cutting tool. After high-quality processing, the following parts are made from it:
- membranes;
- springs;
- contacts with spring properties.
They are durable, simple and reliable to use. This is not the entire list of products that are produced by craftsmen.
Application
Thanks to experiments with the proportions of alloying components, it was discovered that the use of non-ferrous metal is possible almost everywhere. All because of the properties it possesses. For example, the aluminum type is used when metal pipes and strips are needed.
The products are easy to cut, but at the same time they are not afraid of corrosion. Even when the pipes are in seawater, the conditions do not affect their quality.
Lead bronze is used in the manufacture of bearings, since the alloy perfectly resists shock loads and has anti-friction properties.
When it is necessary to produce parts of complex shapes that should not produce sparks during operation, think about the zinc-silica mixture. The material can be given any shape because it is highly fluid.
There are not only classic compositions, but also completely unique in their properties, which were discovered quite recently. Such material is aluminum-nickel bronze or marine bronze.
The only property that makes this combination similar to the classic one is the presence of copper as the main element. The material was obtained as a result of the development of foundry production and is used in the construction of platforms for oil production located in the seas and oceans.
Fire pumps, the metal parts of which are made of nickel-aluminium, withstand specific environmental conditions.
The most famous way to use bronze is to create sculptures and other decorative objects. In homes or on the pages of fashion magazines you can often see products such as:
- figurines;
- lamps;
- railings for stairs;
- grates for fireplaces.
Thanks to the casting method, it is possible to obtain the most complex castings that convey the surface of the template in the smallest detail. Previously, the material formed the basis of almost all women's jewelry, but today its use in jewelry has noticeably decreased.
But plumbing and the production of entrance and interior doors cannot do without bronze fittings. A strong and beautiful mixture of components creates reliable, durable hinges, locks, handles, taps and mixers. It is convenient and easy to work with, so craftsmen are able to produce elegant decorative elements of any size or design.
Products for aircraft navigation instruments and car circuits are made from beryllium bronze, because it can withstand dynamic variable loads. There was a place for using this type in water supply, despite the high cost. It is used to produce structures for particularly critical areas. Because they will last much longer and will not require urgent repairs.
Although new consumables have been invented, metal does not lose its position. Because its use guarantees a high-quality result, regardless of the area. This is due to the properties and variety of products due to which bronze is in great demand.
Source: https://oxmetall.ru/metalli/bronza/sostav-harakteristiki-i-osobennosti-bronzy
What metals make up bronze?
The wide industrial use of non-ferrous metals in their pure form is limited, therefore, for the needs of mechanical engineering, industrial chemistry, housing and communal services, various alloys are made - aluminum bronze, silicon, tin, lead, beryllium, etc., with different contents of alloying additives. These alloys are based on copper.
The use of additional components significantly improves the characteristics of the material, which helps expand the scope of use. In order to find out what metals are included in the bronze composition of a particular alloy, you need to pay attention to the markings. For example, tin bronzes are alloys marked BrO, where the percentage of tin is indicated in numbers after the letter designation.
Most often this compound can be found in products such as bearings.
Assortment
Depending on the presence or absence of tin, one of the main components, bronze is divided into such large groups as: tin and tin-free .
Aluminum, phosphorus, and nickel are used as additional alloying elements; iron; silicon; lead; magnesium; zirconium; chromium.
Depending on the technology used for processing bronze alloys, a distinction is made between casting and wrought grades . The latter are characterized by the fact that they can be easily processed under pressure.
Alloying
Alloying has a multifaceted effect on the quality of the bronze alloy. Chrome increases hardness and corrosion resistance. Nickel gives the alloy ductility; Beryllium increases strength, resistance to impact and abrasion; cobalt increases heat resistance and magnetic permeability.
The proportion of manganese above 1% increases impact strength and wear resistance. An aluminum alloy of bronze with the addition of iron and nickel has proven itself excellent in shaped casting, and manganese in the production of steam fittings.
A bronze alloy with the addition of lead or beryllium has a wide range of applications.
Provider
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Experienced managers are in touch and will quickly help you buy bronze in bulk or in installments. Regular customers can buy rolled bronze at a discount. Auremo is a recognized expert in the metals market. We stock a wide range of bronze products of various grades, both cast and wrought alloys.
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Source: https://steelfactoryrus.com/kakie-metally-vhodyat-v-sostav-bronzy/
Bronze: composition and marking, types of alloys and their properties, areas of application - SibNovStroy
Bronze is a double or multi-component alloy consisting of copper and other elements that improve the basic properties of the metal, except zinc. Such elements are called alloying elements. Bronze contains more than 2.5% by weight.
Manganese, tin, beryllium, lead, silicon, chromium, phosphorus, iron, aluminum and other elements are used as alloying components. Alloys are marked with the combination “Br”, letters that indicate the main alloying components and numbers indicating their content. For example: BrO5 - tin bronze, BrA5 - aluminum bronze.
The chemical composition of bronze alloys and their grades are determined by the corresponding GOSTs. You can buy bronze on our website.
Bronze, based on copper and tin, is one of the oldest alloys produced by man. In the 3rd millennium BC, bronze products appeared in Mesopotamia and Southern Iran. Everything necessary for human life was made from this alloy in ancient times.
Archaeologists discovered weapons (daggers, axes, arrowheads, swords), furniture and interior items (mirrors), as well as dishes (jugs, vases, plates). In addition, coins and all kinds of jewelry were made from bronze.
Around the 5th-4th centuries BC, ancient Greek sculptors learned to cast large bronze statues; by the way, this technology is still relevant today. In the Middle Ages, bronze was used to make cannons and artillery shells. Bells have long been cast from this alloy.
By changing the composition and size of the casting, craftsmen created bells with an amazing sound.
Bronze classification
According to technological characteristics, bronzes are divided into:
- Deformable – well amenable to mechanical processing: stamping, corrugation, forging. their tin content is no more than 6%, which ensures the necessary ductility. Sheets, bronze wire, bronze rod, and bronze tape are made from deformable tin bronzes.
- Foundry - intended for shaped castings. Various parts for machines operating in salt sea water, bearing shells, and gears are made from cast tin bronzes.
Properties of bronze
If we compare it with brass, bronze is characterized by higher corrosion resistance, strength and anti-friction properties. It is quite stable in air, salt water, carbon dioxide solutions and solutions of many organic acids. Most types of bronze can be welded and soldered with hard and soft solders.
Depending on the amount of additives, the color of bronze can be from red to white. Let's look at how alloying elements affect the properties of bronze. Tin, nickel, silicon and aluminum increase the strength, corrosion resistance, and elastic properties of bronzes.
In combination with lead, zinc and phosphorus, anti-friction properties also increase. Nickel and iron significantly refine the grain and increase the recrystallization temperature. Silicon and manganese increase heat resistance.
Chromium, zirconium and beryllium increase the heat resistance of alloys and slightly reduce electrical conductivity.
Let's take a quick look at the most commonly used types of bronze.
- Beryllium bronze is the leader in hardness among other copper alloys. In the hardened state it has good ductility and manufacturability, and in the aged state it has high mechanical properties. The level of mechanical properties can be further increased by plastic deformation before aging. Beryllium bronze is used to make springs, membranes and tools.
- Aluminum bronze is characterized by high density, resistance to aggressive environmental factors and chemical elements, and good resistance to sea water. This type of bronze can be processed with cutting tools. Tapes and strips of pipes are made from it.
- Silica-zinc bronze makes it possible to produce products of complex shapes due to its increased fluidity in the molten state. Such bronze has a high degree of compression resistance and does not spark under mechanical stress.
- Lead bronze has excellent anti-friction properties, resists shock loads well, and is also characterized by high strength and refractoriness. It is used for heavily loaded bearings.
- Tin bronze has all the above properties and is the most widely used in modern industry.
Receipt
Bronze is produced by fusing copper and alloying components. The process takes place in electric induction furnaces or crucible furnaces. The smelting charge can consist of fresh metals, as well as production waste and secondary metals. Melting is carried out under a layer of flux or charcoal.
The required amount of coal or flux is placed in a heated furnace, and then copper is loaded. After melting and heating the copper to the appropriate temperature, the melt is deoxidized with copper phosphate.
Next, heated alloying elements are introduced into the melt. Refractory alloying elements are introduced in the form of alloys. The melt is stirred until the components dissolve and heated to the required temperature.
Before casting, the melt is again deoxidized with phosphorous copper to eliminate its oxides.
Bronze melts well and fills ingot molds evenly. The alloys are produced in the form of flat and round ingots. Ingots are processed by rolling or pressing.
Application of bronze
Bronze is used in modern mechanical engineering, rocketry, aviation, shipbuilding and other industries.
Due to their resistance to mechanical abrasion and high corrosion resistance, bronze products are used for the manufacture of machine parts and devices involved in moving units in the friction process. Bronze parts require periodic replacement, that is, they are consumable.
Tin-free bronze alloys are used to make rolled products for components of chemical devices, control valves for heating systems and pipelines for other purposes.
Bronze is used for casting sculptures and monuments, as the material is durable, not exposed to atmospheric influences and is resistant to mechanical damage. Products of highly artistic forms in theaters, palaces, and halls (chandeliers, floor lamps, candelabra) are also made of bronze.
Source: https://sibnovostroy.ru/stanki/bronza-sostav-i-markirovka-vidy-splavov-i-ih-svojstva-sfery-primeneniya.html
Physical properties
The physical properties of an alloy depend on its composition and can vary significantly. Unlike brass, bronze has higher anti-corrosion resistance and anti-friction properties. It is more durable and has strong resistance to air, water, salt, and organic acids. Bronze is also easy to solder and weld .
- Density: 7800-8700 kg/m3.
- Melting point: 930С – 1140С.
- Color ranges from red to white.
- It has increased wear resistance and a low friction coefficient, copes even at low temperatures down to -250С.
- Some types of bronze have high vapor resistance, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity and are used in equipment operating in harsh conditions.
Types of bronze
Tin
Tin bronze is most widely used in modern industry. This is an alloy of copper and tin (in the classic ratio of 80% to 20%), which has good strength and hardness, is easier to melt and has high anti-corrosion resistance and anti-friction properties.
Tin bronze is difficult to forge, roll, cut, sharpen, and stamp and is generally only suitable for solid casting. A small draft (no more than 1%) allows the material to be used when creating particularly precise products in artistic casting.
Other metals can be added to the alloy if desired .
- Zinc (no more than 10%) increases the corrosion resistance of the alloy and is used to create elements of ships and vessels that will often come into contact with sea water.
- Thanks to the addition of lead and phosphorus, the antifriction properties of bronze can be significantly improved, and the alloy is also easier to process by pressure and cutting.
Tinless
In some cases, the use of tin is unacceptable. In this case, other metals come to the rescue, the addition of which allows you to obtain the necessary characteristics. And although tin bronze is the standard and most in demand, tin-free bronzes are not inferior to it.
Leaded or leaded
Lead bronze is an excellent anti-friction alloy, it resists pressure well, has increased strength and refractoriness. It is used for the manufacture of bearings that are subject to the greatest pressure during operation.
Kremnetzinc
Silica-zinc bronze consists of copper (97.12%), silicon (0.05%) and tin (1.14%). It is quite fluid and plastic, which allows it to be used as a material for products of complex shapes. It has increased resistance to compression, is not magnetic and does not produce sparks during processing. It is distinguished by elasticity and anti-friction properties, does not lose plasticity at low temperatures, and is well soldered. Often contains nickel or manganese.
Bronze is used in the manufacture of springs, bearings, grilles, guide bushings, evaporators and networks.
Beryllium
Beryllium bronze is the hardest of all types. It has increased anti-corrosion properties and heat resistance, is stable at low temperatures, does not produce sparks on impacts and is not magnetic. The metal is hardened at 750Co - 790Co, aged at 300Co - 325Co. Nickel, iron or cobalt are sometimes added to beryllium bronze to facilitate the hardening technology. In addition, beryllium can be replaced with nickel.
The material is used to create springs and spring parts, membranes, and for watch parts.
Aluminum
Aluminum bronze consists of copper (95%) and aluminum (5%). It has a pleasant golden color and shine, and can withstand prolonged exposure to aggressive environments, such as acids. The alloy has a higher casting density, heat resistance and increased strength, and tolerates low temperatures well. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting weaker corrosion resistance, stronger shrinkage, as well as strong gas absorption in the liquid state.
Other metals
In addition to those mentioned above, bronze may also contain other elements. Nickel and iron increase the recrystallization temperature and promote grain refinement. Chromium and zirconium reduce electrical conductivity and increase the heat resistance of bronze.
Marking
To choose the right metal option, just look carefully at its markings. This will help to accurately determine the features and characteristics of the selected species.
The letters “Br” come first - this means “Bronze”. Then one or more letters are located in a row, behind which additives are hidden: O - Tin, A - Aluminum, K - Silicon, N - Nickel, Mts - Manganese, F - Iron, S - Lead, F - Phosphorus, C - Zinc, B - Beryllium. Next, numbers are written through a hyphen - this is the percentage of each additive in turn.
For example, the designation Br A ZH N -10 -4 -5 can be deciphered as follows: Bronze containing Aluminum (10%), Iron (4%) and Nickel (4%).
The medal is very close, but not yet given. Russian relay race – fourth again
The last relay before the World Championships is not the best moment for experiments.
Moreover, last week, when our four - without Alexander Loginov and Matvey Eliseev , but with newcomer Karim Khalili - finished fourth in Oberhof, the coaches of the men's team had to fully quench their research ardor. And yet, although in Ruhpolding the Russian lineup looked much more familiar, there were some surprises here too: the first stage was entrusted to Evgeny Garanichev .
His relationship with relay races is a special story, a separate story. Garanichev’s debut in this World Cup race will be nine years old next Thursday, and in the time since then he will be remembered mainly for his failures at the world championships. At none of the four World Championships, Evgeniy managed to avoid penalties, and our team remained outside the podium each time. But there Garanichev more often ran the second or third stages, and now we are interested in something else: has he been to the first before?
It turns out yes. He was first installed as a starter in January 2015 instead of Maxim Tsvetkov , and things went well: not a single failure in three races, no laps, two golds and one bronze. However, at the March world championship in Kontiolahti, Garanichev faltered again: he passed the baton to Alexey Volkov only 16th. After which he was given the first stage only once, in last year’s experimental Canadian Canmore.
After three clear days, the weather in Ruhpolding decided to show its temper - throughout the day snow (often heavy) alternated with rain. It was good that the wind was still calm: there was almost complete calm at the shooting range.
As expected, in the crush of the starting stage, Garanichev had no time to remember the failures of past years, and he simply did what he knew how to do - and did it well. The coaching idea worked. In general, during the race the Russians were constantly among the leaders or very close. In addition, they did not use more than one extra round on any of the eight firing lines, hitting 40 out of 45 times, or almost 90 percent.
Then why did you lose?
ELISEEV: THE LAST LAP AGAIN
The French, who today interrupted the protracted streak of Norwegian relay victories, should be immediately taken out of the brackets. Even in the sprint the day before yesterday, it was clear what brilliant shape they were in. And with excellent shooting, it was completely unrealistic to compete with this team. Already by the middle of the race, Emilien Jacquelin and Martin Fourcade brought all the pursuers more than a minute and the issue of gold was closed for that day.
The Norwegian team, in the absence of Johannes Boe (it is still unclear whether he will return after the birth of his son at the next stage in Pokljuka), struggled in the first two stages, but gradually still took their, that is, silver. The fact that this and the French teams are much superior to the rest in skiing was known to everyone before, and has now been confirmed. To compensate for this difference, penalties are needed, and the leading teams in Ruhpolding did not have them.
But we had every legitimate reason to count on bronze. And the Russians stayed within 20 seconds of the top three for the entire 30-kilometer distance. Matvey Eliseev even ran into it, leaving the bench second. But if Garanichev managed to bypass the usual rake today, then Eliseev, alas, took a walk on his own again. The last lap failed again, for which Matvey clearly did not have the strength left.
Eduard Latypov , forced to give chase from the first meters, also lost a little in the end, but overall he didn’t give up a second. Just as he left the Austrians at twenty, he came back at twenty. And then the finisher Alexander Loginov, before the last stand, managed to sit on the tail of Julian Eberhard - a very strong skier, but a mediocre shooter. It seemed that just a little more, and the place on the pedestal would finally be ours
MACHINE GUNNER EBERHARD
God knows what befell Eberhard at the final stage. The Austrian rattled off five out of five as if from a machine gun! Loginov also fired quickly, but still missed once - and this decided the fate of the medal.
If Alexander had been in optimal shape, he might have caught up with Eberhard, who had a margin of six and a half seconds, and so again, “a piece of wood”, already the third in four relay races of the 2019/20 World Cup.
By the way, Russia is also fourth in the corresponding small WC classification. Just like in the men's Nations Cup.
Whatever one may say, today the leaders left us without a pedestal: Eliseev did not distribute his strength, Loginov did not show his speed. And, in my opinion, this is good. Yes Yes! Before the February World Championships in Antholz, Russia has a normal men's relay, from which only one thing is required: to perform at its best. Including, of course, Loginov and - if they let you down, then there’s nothing to talk about.
The stage in Ruhpolding ends on Sunday with the pursuit races, where there is little chance for our team. Women start no closer than four dozen and almost two minutes. For men, Loginov and Eliseev are closer, 11th and 17th, respectively, but we could already assess their current condition. On another wooden relay race.
Remaining races of the stage
January 19, Sunday
14.15 (Moscow time).
Pursuit race 10 km. Women 16.30. Pursuit race 12.5 km. Men
Source: https://www.sovsport.ru/biathlon/articles/2:931121