Silicon Bronze

[shamus]

Silicon Bronze contains only small amounts of silicon (2%?). Anybody know in what form it is added?

[John C. Mannone]

Hello Shamus,

I suspect that since silicon bronze is an alloy and not a refractory like silicon boride, silicon is in its nonionized state.

Silicon bronze is a noncorroding alloy with copper and tin. Silicon copper (70% to 80% copper and 20% to 30% silicon) is an alloy added to molten copper or brass to remove oxygen. Silicon iron is a grain-improved iron, corrosion resistant. (http://www.maden.hacettepe.edu.tr/dmmrt/dmmrt1087.html)

A popular alloy C65500 has the compostion:
Copper 95.6%
Silicon 3.3 nominal
Zinc 1.5 max
Lead & Iron trace
(www.elecmat.com/TEMCO%20Alloy%20Tech%20Sheets/ C65500.pdf)

Principal Design Features Bronzes (Copper-Silicon), High Silicon Bronze A. Moderate strength, good corrosion resistance, similar to C64200 in properties and applications.

Applications Applications similar to aluminum bronzes. Used for valve guides, valve stems, fasteners, pole line hardware, and marine fittings.

Regards,
John

[shamus]

Thank you John. I think I've just realised that although silicon is a very common element, it's one I've never seen in its elemental form.

[Thad]

Based on my experience with what I believe to be Everdur 651 (98.25 Cu, 1.5 Si, .25 Mg) fasteners, I would like to see silicon bronze without the Zinc and with a touch of manganese for boat work.

[ 06-08-2003, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Thad ]