The Alloys: Architectural Bronze and Other Copper Alloys

To a metallurgist, alloys of copper and zinc are known asbrasses and those of copper and tin are known asbronzes. Artists and architects however, commonly use the term bronze to describe a variety of copper alloys that contain little or no tin. These copper and zinc alloys are known as bronzes because of their appearance and weathering characteristics. The table below lists the characteristic and common names of some of the more popular bronze, brass and other copper alloys and their common names. For bronze architectural ornament as well as bronze statuary and sculpture the most often used bronze is statuary bronze, an alloy of copper and zinc. ASTM and SAE developed a Unified Numbering System for metals and alloys, with "C" indicating a copper alloy.