What Is Bronze Welding & When Do You Need It

 Metals are reactive to heat which makes them hard to work with as a welder. With the right amount of heat focus (and the right technique), you can transform an entire piece of metal without much effort at all. 

Welding is a technique that fuses two metals together using heat. And while there are many different metals and various techniques to use, let’s take a look at bronze welding. 

What is Bronze Welding?

Bronze welding is sometimes referred to as braze welding. The two terms are interchangeable, but it should be noted that braze welding and brazing are two slightly different things. This welding is a type of MIG/MAG welding with processes that are almost identical to conventional welding. 

Bronze welding involves the melting and joining of two metals together by heating them to a melting point, resulting in strong joints. Though bronze welding is not just limited to bronze. It can also be used for building strong joints and can be used with a variety of metals, including cast iron, copper, steel, and other copper-based alloys.

The difference between bronze welding and regular welding is that it uses a different melting point due to the bronze filler wires. The lower temperature is due to a much lower melting point that works with the filler material, rather than working with the high-temperature melting of the parent material. 

When You Need Bronze Welding

Bronze welding can be used at any time. However, it is best to use it when you are joining together two different metals. Conventional welding requires high temperatures and the melting of the metals to bring them together. As you know, though, each metal has a different melting point. So combining two types using general welding practices may prove to be a little tricky. 

Bronze welding uses a filler material (also known as filler bronze rods) that connects the two pieces together at lower temperatures without worrying about actually melting the metal. So whether you are welding cast iron to steel, stainless steel to steel, copper to steel, and so forth - you can do so successfully by using a bronze filler. 

What You Should Know About Bronze Welding

Here are a few tidbits of knowledge about bronze welding that you may find useful going forward. 

• When done right, bronze welding, although done at a much lower temperature and using filler material, often results in a much stronger joint than others. 

• Since the metal itself isn’t melted, it will keep most of its physical properties - which is great news for bronze enthusiasts. 

• Because you aren’t melting the metal, you can create a significantly strong joint between two metals that have different melting points when using bronze welding. 

Knowing that there are different types of welding techniques available and knowing when to use each can help you choose the best option for your metals. 

Atlas Bronze for All Your Bronze Needs

Atlas Bronze is a leader in the distribution of bronze and other metals in the United States - and has a team of skilled and professional staff members who can help you with all of your bronze needs. 

Whether you have questions about bronze welding or anything else, contact Atlas Bronze today at (800) 478-0887. We’ve got you covered for quality material at competitive prices.

The Differences Between Copper and Bronze

There’s quite a bit of overlap in the qualities and uses of copper and bronze, but there are also some

significant differences you should be aware of if you’re choosing between the two metals for your

application. What’s the difference between copper and bronze? Which one is the best choice for

your needs? We answer these questions below.

Understanding Copper

Copper is one of the earliest metals used by human populations. Best known for its reddish hue, copper is the term used for both pure copper and any copper alloy that has at least a 99.3 percent copper content. You’ll find copper in sculptures, architecture, and fixtures, but behind the scenes, it’s also commonly used for heating and electrical applications because of its superior conductivity.

There are other reasons to choose copper for your application besides conductivity, though. Copper is resistant to corrosion and valued for its strength. It’s highly formable, which is likely why it was such a widely used material by early humans. Copper is antimicrobial, making it suitable for many healthcare and medical uses. Architects, sculptors, and other artists appreciate copper because it can be given different lusters and textures when it’s buffed and polished.

Understanding Bronze

Bronze is a metal alloy that is made mostly with copper, but not enough to be considered a copper alloy. In addition to copper, other metals like iron, zinc, and tin are added to impart different qualities on the resulting metal. Like copper, bronze is often used in statues, sculpture, and architecture. Its industrial uses include pump parts, bearings, gears, and valves because bronze is valued for its resistance to wear and low friction. Many musical instruments are also made with bronze.

Bronze cast alloys, like those available from Atlas Bronze, are manufactured in three different ways: sand casting, centrifugal casting, and continuous casting. Different casting methods are used for different types of products and parts.

Copper vs. Bronze: What Makes Them Different?

Here are some of the notable qualities of copper and bronze, and differences between the two metals.

• Bronze is a dull gold in color, while copper is more of a reddish-orange.

• Copper is more commonly used in wiring and pipes, while bronze is a popular choice for bushings and bearings.

• Bronze alloys are resistant to corrosion and known for their strength, while copper is malleable and easily soldered.

• Copper can be an alloy and also a natural element, while bronze is always an alloy.

• Bronze has low friction, which makes it an excellent choice for moving parts.

• Copper has antimicrobial properties, which makes it ideal for high-touch surfaces and healthcare settings.

Learn More About Atlas Bronze Products

To learn more about ordering high-quality bronze products from Atlas Bronze, contact us at 1-800-478-0887. Our sales team offers unmatched customer support and industry knowledge, and we’re committed to working together with you to meet your needs. If you’re not sure whether you need bronze or a copper alloy for your application, we can listen to your requirements and suggest the best option for you.

 

The Differences Between Brass and Bronze

Brass and bronze are often marketed interchangeably, but they are far from the same material. Both
play a valuable role in modern manufacturing, but one is often more suitable for a particular application
than the other. To know which is best for your project, it is essential that you understand the differences
between the two. Here are the basic differences between brass and bronze.

History

Bronze is far older than brass, dating to the Sumerian people around 3500 BC. A far stronger and more
durable material than stone and copper, the discovery of bronze gave mankind the hallmarks of the
Bronze Age, including more detailed metal sculptures, new decorative tiles, and a wide range of new
tools, weapons, and armor.

Brass was discovered in approximately 500 BC. Its natural golden color and tarnish resistance made
brass useful for the production of coins and other items where a lustrous appearance was desired.
However, it was difficult in those days to create brass, so it was not until medieval times that brass
became a commonly used material for church monuments and wire. By the 17th century, brass was the
alloy of choice for instruments that required accuracy, such as clocks, navigational aids, and precision
scientific instruments.

Composition and Properties

Bronze is a metal alloy based on copper and tin. Other elements such as aluminum, silicon, phosphorus,
and manganese may also be added. It is brittle and hard, but resists corrosion and metal fatigue better
than steel. Bronze is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Its color is reddish-brown.

Brass is a metal alloy based on copper and zinc. Iron, silicon, aluminum, and manganese may be added
to improve corrosion resistance. Brass is more malleable than either zinc or copper, and it has a relatively
low melting point of 900 C. Brass is not as hard as steel. It has the appearance of muted, dull gold.

Uses

Bronze is particularly useful in marine applications due to its corrosion resistance. It is frequently used
to create cast sculptures, and it is generally considered one of the best materials for creating bells and
cymbals. Industrial uses for bronze include bearings, springs, electrical connectors, and a variety of clips.

Brass is commonly used for decorative pieces, and it imparts excellent acoustic properties to a variety of
musical instruments. It is also common in applications that require low friction, such as valves, gears,
doorknobs, ammunition, and locks. It is not prone to sparking, so it is often used for zippers as well as
fittings and tools that will be used around explosive gases. Brass is also a popular choice for boat
hardware.

Both brass and bronze are in common use today. However, they are not the same material, and their
properties differ significantly. Make sure you choose the metal that is truly the best option for your project.

Ready to Start?

Atlas Bronze is a leading U.S. distributor of bronze, copper, brass, iron, and more. Contact us today at 1-800-478-0887 to place an order or learn about our custom products.