[TheForge] looking for"real" bronze

[Jeff Wilson]

WARNING:
Brass and Copper may contain zinc or lead which are toxic when ingested or 
inhaled.  Use adequate ventilation and breathing protection when hot 
working.
It is believed that Russell Jaqua's death was related to the bronze work 
that he did.

Respectfully,
Jeff in Poulsbo

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Binnion" <jbin at well.com>
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] looking for"real" bronze


> 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
>
>
>
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