Brass and bronze are two popular metals those are widely used in across the world in various ways. Basically bronze and brass are both copper alloys but they vary in their composition and thus in their qualities and applications. Brass is built up of a combination of copper together with zinc, whereas bronze is a combination of copper and tin, sometimes other elements such as phosphorus, manganese, aluminum, or silicon.
Properties
Brass is a metal that has a very high flexibility when compared to other metals and it has a very low melting point that it flows at 900 c. This makes brass the most sought after metal for application that requires transforming or reshaping. When exposed to ammonia brass is inclined to stress cracking and brass is not as hard as steel. Bronze is a hard and brittle and depending upon the amount of tin present, its melting point varies. Bronze resist corrosion, especially sea water corrosion and is also a better conductor of heat and electricity.
Uses
Brass is used for plumbing application such locks, gears, doorknobs, valves etc and electrical applications such lamp holders and more. It is also used in circumstances where it requires negating spark (Example fittings and tools around explosive gas). For its bright gold-like appearance, brass is used for decorative purposes. The malleability and acoustic properties of brass makes it the preferred metal in the making of musical instruments such as, trombone, tuba, trumpet, cornet, barite horn, euphonium, tenor horn and French horn. Brass scrap is used in foundries where it is heated and developed into desired shape. DZR - brass is excellent in water boiler systems. Brass has also proved to be good applicant in germicidal and anti microbial application due to the presence of copper in it.
Bronze is used in boat and ship fittings, propellers and submerged bearings because of resistance to salt water corrosion. It is widely used for cast bronze sculpture, bearings, clips, electrical connectors and springs. Bronze struck against a hard surface will not generate spark so it is used to make hammers and other durable tools. Bronze is used as the Medal of Honor for the third place holders in the national and international sports. Bronze is used for making tools, armors and various materials like decorative tiles. Humans have worked with bronze for over years in different parts of the world, using it for weapons, coins, tableware, and an assortment of other household purposes.
The artifact of brass and bronze
Brass is an alloy of about 70% copper with about 30% zinc. It may be cast into solid shapes, rolled into thin sheets, spun into vessel shapes or drawn wire. Many decorative objects, house wares, furniture hardware and inlays, and tools are made of or contain brass. Brass is often found in scientific instruments, scale models and historical apparatus of all kinds. In its natural state it is typically light yellow-gold in appearance.
Historic cast bronze is usually 90% copper, 6% tin and 4% zinc. It has been widely used since antiquity for weapons, sculpture and decorative objects. Bronzes appear anywhere from light green to dark brown. A third category of artifact that should be included in any discussion of brass and bronze is "bronzed" and plated finishes. Sometimes called "French Bronze" in the Nineteenth century, paint or varnish containing bronze pigments were applied to cast iron or soft white metal. These painted finishes may develop copper oxidation, but should not be polished.
