Could this be bronze?

[deere_x475guy]

I was scavenging around the shop today and remembered I had what I thought was bronze. What do you think? It sure looks close to the pictures in the Enco catalog of their bronze. If it is bronze I am hoping to use it for the connecting rod bearings on my crankshaft.

 

[tattoomike68]

If looks like bronze to me. It has a little light in color but that dont mean much. Aluminum bronze is a lighter color and is good tough stuff.

 

[deere_x475guy]

Thank Mike, this will be my first attempt at machining this stuff. Will good sharp HHS be ok or will I need to use carbide?

 

[tattoomike68]

HSS or carbide will work great.

Just remember how bronze and brass will hog in if you have rake on a drill.

The stuff is messy like cast so you might throw down some paper to catch the chips from going everywhere. Millions of little slivers.

 

[deere_x475guy]

Thanks Mike, I probably won't have time to start on the bearings today but at least I am better prepared to do this now.

 

[AllThumbs]

Looks like Ampco. Maybe all those bronzes look the same. Can it be soldered?

E

 

[gilessim]

I've got a chunk that I know to be bronze that looks just like that with the same marks on it, it is very sticky and I broke a couple of drill bits on it, you just need to go steady with it, I find hss works fine, you might chip your carbide tips!.

Giles

 

[bentprop]

It could be gunmetal.That has a similar hue to it.The same machining rules apply.If drilling,I find "pecking"it will be much easier on the drill,particularly if it's a small hole.
You will also need to sharpen your tools quite often.But with sharp tools,it machines beautifully.

 

[PTsideshow]

Here are some of the more popular brasses and bronzes along with their common names and make ups and melting points. And the brasses tend to a whiter/litter coloring than the bronzes.
If you have some gas or TIG Bronze brazing rod it is generally a naval type bronze.

And yes it looks like a bronze to me also.

ALPHA BRASSES

* Gilding Metal 95%Cu 5%Zn 1057'C 1935'F melt point
* 220 Red Brass 90%Cu 10% Zn 1044'C 1910'F
* 226 Nu-GOLD 88% Cu 12%Zn 1030'C 1886'F
* RED BRASS 85%Cu 15% Zn 1021'C 1870'F
* YELLOW BRASS 65%Cu 35%Zn 904'C 1660'F

BETA BRASSES

* MUNTZ BRASS 60% Cu 40%Zn 889'C 1650'F
* NAVAL (ROMAN) BRASS 60%Cu .75%Sn 39.25%Zn 888'C 1630'F
* BATH BRASS 55%Cu 45%Zn used in fittings for plumbing

BRONZES

* PHOSPHOR BRONZE (A) 95%Cu 5%SN 1060'C 1945'F
* PHOSPHOR BRONZE © 92%Cu 8% SN
* PHOSPHOR BRONZE (D) 90%Cu 10% SN 1050'C 1920'F
* BELL CASTING BRONZE 80%Cu 20%Sn
* MANGANESE BRONZE 95% Cu 5%MN 1060'C 1945'F
* SILICON BRONZE (1) 90%Cu 9%Sn 1%Si 1050'C 1920'F
* SILICON BRONZE (2) 98%Cu 1.40%Sn 0.60%Si 1065'C 1950'F


Now the temps are all in the neighborhood. I have 10 or 15 charts and as many melting temps each.

* Cu Copper
* Sn Tin
* Zn Zinc
* Mn Manganese
* Si Silicon


I should add that this is just most popular alloys, and by no means an end to the list. there tin/lead based and the iron base bronze alloys. But thats another story

 

[Powder keg]

I would like to mess with that bell bronze Cu is copper. What is SN? I might try making my own alloy.

Thanks) Wes

 

[PTsideshow]

SN is Tin periodic chart stuff the rest is bottom of the post.

 

[Powder keg]

Duh!!! I should have read the while post. I assume those %'s are by weight? Now where would you get tin? Maybe some of those solder bars?

Thanks, Wes

 

[PTsideshow]

I believe MC Masters-Carr hat it. and some of the foundry suppliers have it or can get it.
;D