If you’re still considering what sort of metal you should use for your workpieces, why not consider bronze machining? Bronze has a long and storied past and has played a role in many important historical moments. Useful and aesthetically pleasing, bronze may be a great fit for you. Read on to learn more about this hard-working metal.
The Basics
Bronze is an alloy made up primarily of copper, normally with about twelve percent tin. Other non-metals are sometimes added to the mixture as well. These additions make bronze stronger than what it would be like only copper, as well as add useful properties such as stiffness, ductility or machinability.
A Brief History
The discovery of bronze, in as early as the fifth millennium, enabled people to create more durable metal objects. The material was used to create tools, weapons, armor, and building materials. Bronze is thought to have been an indicator of wealth and financial status. Even more impressive, however, is the fact that ancient bronze weapons have been unearthed showing virtually no signs of wear. It makes sense that ancient people chose this material.
Pros
One of the best reasons to consider bronze machining is because bronze simply does not rust and oxidizes only minimally. It tends to resist corrosion, especially seawater corrosion, and resists general metal fatigue. In other words, this is a material that will serve you for years to come. It is also a pretty good electrical conductor and has a low coefficient of friction.
Uses
Bronze is very useful in practical applications in this day and age as well as in the past. While bronze was once used in boats ships before the advent of stainless steel, it’s still commonly used in ship propellers and submerged bearings. It is also commonly used in sculpture and contemporary statuary, as well as cast bronze sculpture.
Besides art, the material is used in the construction of cannons due to its low metal-on-metal friction. It is still used quite widely for bearings, bushings, springs, car transmission pilot bearing, and in the bearings of small electric motors. Because it will not generate sparks when struck against a hard surface, you can also find bronze in many tools, like hammers, mallets, and wrenches.
