Bronze /Brass

[Alan Gordon 4Participant @alangordon4]

[Alan Gordon 4Participant @alangordon4]

Hi Folks. I am sure this has been asked before but is there a way of telling the difference between Brass rod and Bronze rod ? I have some rod but not sure whether Brass or Bronze ? The plan I am working with calls for a component to be machined from Bronze

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

there is a lengthy thread on here somewhere covering this – but it is difficult to tell. I can tell by the oxidation colour, brass looks brighter and cleaner than bronze.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I've got a nice bit of 1" bronze bar and its un-oxidised colour is much redder than brass – the latter being more "gold".

[Alan Gordon 4Participant @alangordon4]

Thank you gents, I wonder then is the wear properties different ? I guess they are but I have no idea. The problem I have is that the plan I am working from denotes a component to be made from Bronze but taking the above advice II now think I have a piece of Brass handy rather than buying a piece of Bronze.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Posted by Alan Gordon 4 on 11/05/2017 15:27:59:

Thank you gents, I wonder then is the wear properties different ? I guess they are but I have no idea. The problem I have is that the plan I am working from denotes a component to be made from Bronze but taking the above advice II now think I have a piece of Brass handy rather than buying a piece of Bronze.

Why is it a problem if the plan (drawing?) calls for a part to be made of bronze?

Its available from quite a few suppliers and although its more expensive than brass it does have different properties, one or more of which, might be relevant or important to the function of whatever you are making. Its unlikely a designer would specify bronze if brass would do.

In industry one would have to comply with the drawing, obviously a bit different in a home workshop but it prudent to check with whoever you are making the part for.

Ian P

[Fowlers FuryParticipant @fowlersfury]

Depends what your stock "bronze" rod actually contains in the way of additional metals but assuming it's basic – just copper + tin then the quick way to differentiate is to clean both with fine emery and immerse them in some dilute mineral acid (preferably hydrochloric*). After a while the submerged brass rod will appear to have a copper colour due to the surface zinc being dissolved. However if your bronze rod contains aluminium or zinc it may not be so easy.

* Readily available from Fleabay.

[Matt DParticipant @mattd]

Hacksaw a bit off and burn the chips with a gas torch? Then do the same with a bit of known bronze or brass and compare the colour of the flames? My school days are long gone but I seem to remember something in Chemistry lessons about this.

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

A previous thread here – **LINK**

[Alan Gordon 4Participant @alangordon4]

Thank you all for your advice and Robbe for the link.

Good information Ta

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

To answer the more important question, bronze is much better for bearings, but brass is OK for light duties.

Neil

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