bronze

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Alloy of copper and tin, yellow or brown in colour. It is harder than pure copper, more suitable for casting, and also resists corrosion. Bronze may contain as much as 25% tin, together with small amounts of other metals, mainly lead.

Bronze is one of the first metallic alloys known and used widely by early peoples during the period of history known as the Bronze Age. The first bronze objects date from 3000 BC.

Bell metal, the bronze used for casting bells, contains 15% or more tin. Phosphor bronze is hardened by the addition of a small percentage of phosphorus. Silicon bronze (for telegraph wires) and aluminium bronze are similar alloys of copper with silicon or aluminium and small amounts of iron, nickel, or manganese, but usually no tin.

The central band was originally red. It was changed to blue to express solidarity with the Allies during World War I. Effective date: 28 September 1917. >>