[TheForge] looking for"real" bronze

[James Binnion]

Historically bronze was a copper tin alloy but also had lots of other things in it as well due to less the materials and processes available. Today a copper alloy that does not have zinc or nickel as the second significant metal in the alloy is a bronze.

The closest thing you can buy to that real bronze is what is called phosphor bronze it is 94.8% copper, 5% tin and a tiny amount .2% of phosphorous to deoxidize the metal. The trade number for this material is C5100 or C510. The stuff is tough to work and not a good choice for hot working, in fact no copper tin alloy will be a good hot work alloy.

The best forging alloy is called Architectural Bronze (C3850) which is actually a brass as it has zinc as the second greatest metal in the alloy after copper. 57% Cu, 40% Zn, 3% Pb just don't weld it as the lead makes it a poor choice for welding both from a health and performance aspect.

A reasonable compromise alloy is Commercial Bronze (C2200) which has reasonably good hot work properties and can be TIG welded but it is again a brass called bronze at 90% Cu, 10% Zn



James Binnion
jbin at well.com