Columbia Encyclopedia entry: gunmetal
Gunmetal, a bronze, an alloy of copper, tin, and a small amount of zinc. Although originally used extensively for making guns (from which it received its name), it has been superseded by steel, and it is now chiefly employed in casting machine parts. The so-called 88–10–2 (copper-tin-zinc) alloy is the government bronze, composed of 88% copper, 10% tin, and 2% zinc. The percentages of the three elements are varied slightly in gunmetals produced for different purposes. The metal commonly called gunmetal today is very often steel treated to simulate the bronze alloy. In other cases, copper and tin are used alone; in still others, copper, tin, and lead are used.
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Wikipedia search results for: Gunmetal
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Gunmetal, also known as red brass in the United States, is a type of bronze – an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc. Originally used chiefly for making guns, gunmetal was superseded by steel. Gunmetal is resistant to corrosion from steam and salt water, and is thus suitable for valves, pump parts and steam fittings.
Gunmetals produced for different purposes vary slightly in composition. In some cases, the alloy may be composed only from copper and tin, or from copper, tin, and lead. It has many uses in industry, and is used for statues and various small objects, e.g. buttons. U.S. Government bronze specification G is a gunmetal composed of 88%...more »
Columbia Encyclopedia search results: gunmetal
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- bronze, in metallurgy
Bronze, in metallurgy, alloy of copper, tin, zinc, phosphorus, and sometimes small amounts of other elements. Bronzes are harder than brasses. Most are produced by melting the copper and addin...
- tin
Tin, metallic chemical element; symbol Sn [Lat. stannum]; at. no. 50; at. wt. 118.69; m.p. 231.9681°C; b.p. 2,270°C; sp. gr. 5.75 (gray), 7.3 (white); valence +2 or +4. Tin exhibits allotropy;...
- copper, chemical element
Copper, metallic chemical element; symbol Cu [Lat. cuprum=copper]; at. no. 29; at. wt. 63.546; m.p. 1,083.4°C; b.p. 2,567°C; sp. gr. 8.96 at 20°C; valence +1 or +2. Copper and some of its allo...
