Bronze is an alloy of copper and other additional elements, as is often speaks tin, lead, aluminum or silicon.Depending on the percentages of the metals, bronze may have a different color, and additional features.
little history
Bronze is actually the first alloy, which began using humanity.In the 3rd millennium BC.e.Copper master actively used for various purposes.Some grades of ore contained a small percentage of tin.When processing the material, people noticed that this copper is denser and harder than usual.Thus, it was the birth of a new cultural and historical period, which is now known as the "Bronze Age".Further investigation led to the fact that the tin was opened, which began to be added to the special copper alloy for quality for the manufacture of tools and ornaments.
Metallurgy bronze qualitatively improve the performance of a variety of sectors, which was occupied by mankind at that time.Melting gradually improved and people started to produce special stone forms in which the various products can be cast multiple times.Gradually it was invented closed form, which lets you do the weapons and ornaments with a complex structure and pattern.
Key Features
Widespread use of this material is determined by the baseline.For bronze characterized by distinctive features such as:
- high resistance to corrosion;
- strength;
- a high level of electrical and thermal conductivity;
- increased rates of resistance to wear;
- low coefficient of friction;
- Excellent resistance to sea water, outdoors, and in a variety of organic solvents;
- high vapor resistance;
- ease of handling.
Bronze melting point which is about 930-1100 degrees, has an excellent strength and durability.Especially when compared to other similar alloys.
Classification bronze
Although the "Bronze Age" is long gone, today used several variants of this material.On the composition of the alloy is partitioned into the following types:
- Tinless (does not contain tin);
- tin.
The first group further include beryllium, aluminum, lead and kremnietsinkovy types.
- beryllium bronze - the most resistant and durable alloy, which in its basic characteristics surpasses even high quality steel.
- Kremnietsinkovy kind of melt has high flow characteristics.
- Lead bronze - type of alloy that has a high resistance and stability.
- Aluminium bronze differ from other types of resistance to chemical irritants and negative environmental influences.
As to the second subspecies of the bronze, the tin type is today considered the most common in the industry, despite the fact that other types of alloys are superior to his individual characteristics.
Application Areas bronze
The use of this alloy is defined by its basic characteristics.Quite often in bronze add various additional components that alter the characteristic and complement its features.
Regarding the subspecies tin alloy, it is used since ancient times.Especially popular were different bronzes - jewelry, figurines, and other household items.
To increase the resistance of the alloy to corrosion, it adds nickel, zinc, phosphorus, and other such items.Most often, the material used for manufacturing of various tools for navigation.
Aluminum and kremnietsinkovy types are usually used to create art.
melting bronze at home
In the modern world made a lot of products on the basis of the alloy.In order to make any decoration or product in the home, should take into account such factors as the main characteristics, which has bronze - the melting point of the material, and others. As auxiliary devices need the following things:
- crucible;
- tongs;
- charcoal;
- furnace with the necessary support for a range of temperatures;
- horn;
- form ready for harvesting;
- hook.
sequence of a process
- the crucible laid some pieces of metal, and he is placed in the oven.Then set the heating controller and the bronze, the melting point of which depends on its constituent elements, it begins to change shape.
- Thereafter pulled out of the furnace crucible with a hook, and the alloy is poured into the prepared mold.
- Bronze melting point relatively low, which can be replaced muffle furnace or a blowtorch blowtorch.
similar sequence approach and to work with other copper alloys.As such, the melting point brass and bronze is approximately in the same range - 930-1140 and 880-950 degrees respectively.
Precautions
metal melting at home does not mean that it can be done simply in a residential area without any restrictions.For casting bronze needed a separate room, which serves as the workshop, which is to be equipped with everything needed for the process equipment and personal protective equipment.Workshop have to be equipped with a working fire extinguisher in the room itself can not be stored flammable materials and substances.
addition, melting bronze is considered traumatic enough exercise, so that all the necessary steps in this procedure should only be prepared person.
Special moments
For various casting thin metal products should be preferred brass, because it melts more easily than bronze.Regarding hardware, the better to make a choice in the direction of the ceramic crucibles and clay, as they are more suitable for a given alloy.
relatively remelting ancient bronze should be said that if this procedure is necessary to be especially careful because it can be a part of arsenic.
should also take into account the number of impurities, which is made of bronze.The melting point of the material according to may vary considerably.For tin alloy indicators are within 900-950 degrees, whereas tin-free need about 950-1080.
Bronze is an alloy of copper with the addition of various non-ferrous metals.This material is resistant, hardness and resistance to corrosion process.In the past, bronze was used to make a variety of guns, jewelry, weapons, sculptures, and now with this alloy, other metals are added to obtain special characteristics.With this aluminum bronze is used for manufacturing various parts, pipes and aircraft silicon - in navigation and phosphorus - and the springs for different parts of electrical equipment.
