Bronze and copper are popular metals that can be complicated to distinguish because they share similar physical and chemical characteristics. It’s why they are commonly called red metal. These subtle variations make it more daunting for designers to select the suitable material or classify them.
Although similar, they have peculiar features. You can use bronze for particular applications where you wouldn’t dare to use copper and vice versa. To avoid this complication, we created this bronze vs. copper comparison.
This comparison post will compare the two metals and outline their features, applications, material properties, strength, etc. It will help you to make improved choices for your next metal project.
What is Bronze?
Bronze is an alloy that consists of copper and tin as its main elements. Sometimes, it may have zinc and nickel in its composition. The precise composition varies according to the specific use of the material. However, most bronzes contain about 80% copper and 20% other elements.
Characterized by its reddish-brown color, bronze has been used for several centuries for various applications, such as making tools and weapons, jewelry, and artwork. It is still a popular metal today due to its tensile and yield strength, affordability, and rust resistance.
The metal alloy also represents value. For example, bronze is given for a third-level achievement in the Olympic games and several professional competitions.
Characteristics of Bronze
Characteristics of bronze include:
- Durability: Bronze is resistant to wear and tear and corrosion, making it an incredibly long-lasting material. That makes it perfect for tools, weapons, and art objects.
- Strength: The alloy can survive serious impacts without deforming or changing shape.
- Malleability: Bronze is an impeccable material for making shapes and creating intricate artistic works because it is highly malleable. You can shape and cast it into different designs.
- Conductivity: Electrical conductivity is one of the main features of Bronze. That is why it is used for electrical and thermal applications.
- Appearance: Bronze’s reddish-brown color gives it a unique and aesthetic appearance. You can further improve the appearance by polishing it.
- Historical Value: Bronze has survived through time and various periods and played a massive role in civilization. This makes it a precious material even to this day.
Advantages of Bronze
Bronze is prominent metal for various applications for a reason.
The advantages of using this alloy are:
- It is durable and can survive centuries without losing its appearance or deteriorating, making it impeccable for decorative objects and sculptures.
- Bronze is versatile. You can forge it into different sizes. You can use bronze to create intricate details on objects, doors, and columns.
- It is aesthetically appealing due to its warm color. It has a timeless look that can be visually appealing and enhance the elegance of enhance of any place.
- Bronze can be recycled, unlike some other metal alloys. This makes the material environmentally friendly. You can melt it and reuse it to create new objects.
Applications of Bronze
Bronze can be used for different applications in various fields.
Below are some of them:
- Sculpture: Bronze is a common material in the art field. It has been used for sculpting and creating statues for centuries due to its malleability and durability.
- Musical instruments: Bronze is standard for making cymbals and gongs due to its resonant properties, which produce a distinct, highly sought sound.
- Bearings: Bronze material is used to produce bearings and industrial machinery because of its low friction feature.
- Marine: The metal alloy is resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is a popular option for building ships, propellers, and other marine equipment.
- Awards and achievement: Bronze is a valuable material that lasts over time. Therefore, it is widely used to produce medals due to its corrosion resistance.
- Building: The metal alloy is helpful in constructing monuments and casting buildings due to its incredible strength and resistivity properties.
- Jewelry: Despite being unique and valuable, bronze is a cheap material for making jewelry.
What is Copper?
Copper (denoted by Cu) is a soft, ductile, and malleable non-ferrous metal that excels at heat and electrical conductivity.
A chemical element with the atomic number 29, this transition metal has a melting point of 1,984°F and a boiling point of 5,301°F, with a density of 8.96 grams per cubic centimeter. It is the best metal for electricity conductivity, only trailing silver.
Copper is a reddish-orange metal abundant in nature as ores (chalcopyrite or bornite) and is usually extracted via mining. It is also producible from the refining processes.
Copper is one of the oldest known metals that has survived through the times. It was first used by ancient Middle Easterners and later adopted by the Greeks and Romans. Copper is still a relevant material even to this day.
Besides electrical wiring, this metal is also widely used in plumbing and roofing due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Other applications where this metal is used include; making coins, building industrial machines, and creating decorative objects.
Characteristics of Copper
Copper has both general and distinctive features.
Below are some characteristics of this metal:
- Luster Appearance: Copper has a bright metallic shine, making it a valuable material for various applications.
- Slow reaction: It is a somewhat reactive metal. It forms Copper oxide when it reacts with oxygen.
- Conductivity: Copper can transmit electricity. Besides silver, it is the best material for transmitting conductivity. This makes it ideal for electrical wiring.
- Corrosion-resistant: It has high resistive properties. It doesn’t corrode in water or air, making it ideal for plumbing and outdoor use.
- Alloys: They can form alloys with other metals. For example, copper can form brass with zinc. It also forms bronze with tin.
Advantages of Copper
Copper is ideal for many uses because of its natural composition.
Some of the advantages of copper are:
- It can conduct electricity and heat impeccably with minimal loss due to its high resistive properties, making it an ideal material for electrical construction components.
- It is robust and durable, making it useful for construction and manufacturing.
- It can withstand pressure and harsh weather elements due to its corrosion resistance.
- Copper is one of the few metals that is recyclable and sustainable. You can reuse it repeatedly without deteriorating in quality.
- Copper has antibacterial properties, making it helpful in producing antiseptics and other hygiene products.
- It is aesthetically appealing due to its unique reddish-brown appearance. This makes it a popular choice for artistic purposes.
Applications of Copper
Copper has various applications in many fields, such as:
- Electrical wiring: Copper is an electric conductor. This makes it popular for various electrical uses and product manufacture.
- Plumbing: Because it’s corrosion-resistant and has a high thermal conductivity, copper is widely used in plumbing systems.
- Building: Copper is commonly used for roofing and other architectural applications due to its strength and toughness.
- Automotive industry: This material is used to manufacture various automotive parts, such as brakes and doors, due to its durability and strength. The tendency to get corroded easily is minimal.
- Industrial machinery: You can use copper to manufacture several industrial pieces of equipment, such as transformers and engine motors.
- Jewelry: Copper is a common material for manufacturing jewelry due to its attractive, shiny appearance and ductility. It is useful in the manufacture of coins as a base metal.
- Medical field: Copper is useful in manufacturing medical instruments and antiseptics. It is also among the materials found in some medications.
Bronze vs. Copper: A Detailed Comparison
We dive into the key features that distinguish copper from bronze. This comprehensive comparison will give you more information about the metals and help you make informed decisions.
Available Alloys
Bronze Alloys
Bronze can produce various alloys when it reacts with other elements, such as:
- Phosphor Bronze – This alloy is a product of bronze and phosphorus. The addition of phosphorus makes the alloy stronger and more resistant to rust.
- Aluminum Bronze – This is a combination of aluminum and bronze. Aluminum enhances the robustness of the alloy.
- Silicon Bronze – This is another bronze alloy with traces of silicon. Silicon increases the alloy’s resistivity level in seawater.
- Nickel Bronze – Nickel bronze has traces of nickel. Like other bronze alloys, this alloy is strong, hard, and can withstand harsh weather elements.
- Tin Bronze – Tin bronze is known for its toughness and resistance to harsh environments. It is widely used for making bearings and bushings.
Copper Alloys
Copper alloys are a combination containing copper and other metals. These alloys are used for various applications, such as wiring, plumbing, and industrial machinery.
Below are common types of copper alloys:
- Brass: Brass alloy is a product of copper and zinc. It is ideal for plumbing, musical instruments, and artistic purposes.
- Bronze: Bronze contains copper and tin. Sometimes, other metals are added to it. Bronze is often used for sculpting, making coins and other decorative objects, and building.
- Cupronickel: An alloy of copper and nickel, cupronickel is typically used in marine applications and for making coins.
- Beryllium copper: Beryllium copper is known for its strength, hardness, and high electrical conductivity. It is used in electrical connectors and springs.
- Copper-nickel-silicon: Copper-nickel-silicon is one of the few alloys that contain three elements – copper, nickel, and silicon. It is used in marine applications and electrical switches.
- Copper-tin: Copper-tin is known for its water resistance. It is typically used in marine applications and for producing bearings.
Material Properties Differences Between Bronze and Copper
This is another way to distinguish bronze from copper. Understanding their material differences is crucial to helping you decide.
Element Composition
Copper exists in its ore, unlike bronze. Therefore, it is 100% raw metal. You can use the material directly for manufacturing.
On the other hand, bronze doesn’t occur in its natural state. It is an alloy that could contain elements such as nickel and aluminum, besides copper and tin. Therefore, the element composition of bronze varies.
Corrosion Resistance
Bronze and copper vary in their resistivity level to rust. The former readily reacts with oxygen when exposed to air and creates a somewhat protective layer.
Bronze can hold up to saltwater. However, it may degrade as time progresses when continuously exposed to chlorine.
Like bronze, copper undergoes the same oxidation process to form a protective coat against corrosion. Because it exists in its natural state, it doesn’t degrade over time. This makes it a better option for marine use.
Durability
Customers always debate about which metal is more durable. So which is harder, bronze or copper?
Bronze can be hammered and shaped into different materials. However, it is also a robust, sturdy alloy that doesn’t bend under pressure. This is why it’s common for various industrial uses.
Copper is as robust as bronze but more flexible. It’s elastic and bendable but doesn’t disintegrate under stress.
Weight
Weight is another factor that differentiates bronze from copper. Bronze has a density of 7400 to 8900 kg/cu.m. The density range depends on other elements in the alloy.
Copper weighs about 8930 kg/cu.m., making it the heaviest of the two, although the difference is minimal. If you need a light metal for construction, bronze will be the preferred choice.
Machinability
Copper is best based on machinability. It is more flexible, ductile, and easier to bend than bronze. Bronze is harder and sturdier. Therefore, it is not easy to turn or bend.
Weldability
Bronze and copper have slightly similar weldability levels. They can be welded with MIG and TIG equipment, although oxygen-free copper and deoxidized copper are more easily welded.
Conductivity Differences Between Bronze and Copper
You can also differentiate bronze from copper based on electrical and thermal transmission. This is another factor that will influence your decision-making.
Electrical Conductivity
Copper is 100% an electrical and heat conductor. As mentioned, it is the best conductor of electricity after silver. Manufacturers ascertain the conductivity of a material based on the copper content.
On the other hand, bronze is about 60% less conductive. This is because of its alloy properties. It doesn’t exist as a raw metal.
Thermal Conductivity
Bronze’s thermal conductivity is 229 and 1440 BTU/hr-ft²-°F, while copper is 223 BTU/hr-ft²-°F. Therefore, bronze is the higher of the two metals in thermal conductivity.
Strength Differences Between Bronze and Copper
Bronze vs. copper strength is another way to tell the difference between the metals. When comparing both metals, the relative strength can help you understand the level of strength each material possesses. Tensile and yield strength are two determinants here.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength measures the resistance of a material to being stretched without permanent deformity. It determines how strong a material is and how long it can withstand tensile force before breaking.
Of the two metals, bronze has the higher tensile strength, with 350 – 635 MPa. The variation depends on the number of alloying elements. Copper has a tensile strength of just 210 MPa.
Yield Strength
Yield strength refers to the maximum pressure a material can withstand before it gives in to stress. Additionally, it is the force required to deform a material.
Bronze also has a higher yield strength than copper. It boasts a yield strength of 125 – 800 MPa, while that of copper is 33.3 MPa.
Ability to Form
Formability is the measure of the flexibility of each metal. It can help you decide which material is best for a particular purpose. Here, two factors to consider here is formability and melting point.
Formability
Flexibility is the degree how which a material can be bent or shaped. Copper can be shaped into anything without damage. Thus, it is easily formable. Manufacturers can produce micron sizes of various materials with it. Conversely, only bronze alloys, like phosphor bronze, are formable.
Melting Point
Formability varies according to the melting point. The lower the melting point, the more formable. Copper is at a slight disadvantage because its melting point is 1085 °C, which may affect its formability. Conversely, bronze’s melting point is slightly lower, about 913 °C.
Appearance and Touch
Despite their similarities in appearance, some subtle differences still exist between them. Here are some points to note;
Color
The color factor can help you to distinguish between the metals. Bronze is reddish-brown, the same as copper. However, bronze has a lackluster gold shade. On the other hand, copper has a distinctive, shiny reddish-brown color.
Hardness
Despite being an alloy, bronze is the hardest of the two. It has a maximum of 420 on the Brinell hardness scale, while copper is 35. Because bronze is harder, it is susceptible to breaking.
Pricing & Options
Bronze and copper also differ in price. So is bronze more expensive than copper? No, it isn’t because of its alloy properties. Both are readily available.
Benefits of Bronze and Copper
These materials are available and in demand because of their offerings.
Some of the benefits of copper include:
- Conductivity: Copper is a perfect conductor of electricity because of its high conductivity rate. That’s why it’s widely used for wiring electricals and making engine motors. Copper is also good at conducting heat. Thus, it can be used to produce cooking utensils.
- Weather resistance: Copper isn’t easily corroded, and that’s why great for plumbing, roofing, and other outdoor applications.
- Antimicrobial: This material possesses some naturally antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for producing surgical instruments and tools.
- Architecture and art: Thanks to copper’s unique reddish-brown color, it has become a popular option for architectural use and art applications.
- Environmentally friendly: Copper can easily be recycled, which benefits the environment in terms of waste reduction. You can reuse it multiple times, which can help conserve resources and reduce costs.
The benefits of bronze include:
- Corrosion Resistance: Thanks to the copper content, the metal creates a protective layer on the surface that prevents it from corroding.
- Robust: Bronze is hard with great yield strength. It can withstand force and stress in various applications.
- Machining: Bronze is excellent for CNC machining and other decorative processes.
- High thermal and electrical conductivity: Bronze might have a lower electrical conductivity than copper, but it can still transmit electricity. However, it has a high thermal conductivity, making it suitable for producing cooking utensils and items that transmit heat.
- Aesthetics: Thanks to its beautiful appearance, you can use bronze for metal surface finishes. You can use it in applications where aesthetics are a significant concern.
Bronze vs. Copper: Which One Should You Choose?
Bronze and copper are similar in many aspects, but so are the differences. As stated, knowing the difference will help you make critical decisions and save costs.
Although both metals are durable, they don’t have the same machinability level. Copper is more machinable because It is more flexible, ductile, and easier to bend than bronze. Therefore, it is a better choice for CNC machining.
In terms of cost, bronze is cheaper than copper. If you are concerned about budget, bronze is the better option.
The application can affect your choice. Copper is better for transmitting electricity, while bronze is preferable for marine applications due to its high rust resistance. It also has a higher yield and tensile strength to withstand fatigue.
Kemal: Manufacturing Metal Parts and Prototypes for You
If you need more information about any manufacturing material, let Kemal help you. We can help you choose the ideal material for your project, which gives you a competitive edge. At Kemal, we offer transparent and affordable manufacturing services and CNC machining. Get in touch with us today to get started.
