Question: can you name two examples of alloys of copper along with their name composition and use?

Andrew Maynard answered on 24 Jun 2010:

Hi imnotsureaboutbeardedhedgehogs,

Let me guess – you have a project on copper 🙂

Bronze is the obvious alloy – one that has been used for thousands of years. It’s typically made from around 88% copper and 12% tin, although sometimes has small quantities of other stuff in it. It doesn’t corrode easily, and is often used to make objects that are used in places where corrosion might be a problem – like on ships. It’s also used a lot for sculptures. And a particular form of bronze (with more tin and less copper) is used to make bells – as in church bells.

Brass is the other major alloy of copper – it’s mixed with zinc in varying quantities to form different types of brass. Brass is also used in places where corrosion is a problem – like on ships – as it is resistant to corrosion. It’s also used for a lot of musical instruments – *brass* instruments 🙂 – because of the way these instruments sound.