bronzo

Bronzo, the Italian term for bronze, is an alloy of copper with tin as the primary additive. The traditional composition contains about 12% tin, with the remainder copper, though modern bronze alloys vary widely and may include aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, manganese, or other elements to tailor mechanical properties. Bronze is distinct from brass, another copper alloy that uses zinc as the principal additive.

Bronze is harder and more wear resistant than pure copper, while maintaining good ductility. It generally has a higher strength and better fatigue resistance, and it resists corrosion in many environments, partly due to the protective tin oxide layer that forms on the surface. Its melting point ranges roughly from 900 to 1000 °C, depending on tin content.

Bronze was developed independently in several ancient cultures during the Bronze Age (roughly 3300–1200 BCE). Its combination of hardness and relative abundance of copper and tin enabled tools, weapons, and artworks that outlasted pure copper. Tin sources were often distant and traded, shaping early long-distance exchange networks.

Bronze has been used for sculptures and coins, bells and musical instruments, and industrial components such as bearings, bushings, gears, and ship fittings. Its good wear resistance, low friction, and relative ease of casting made it a preferred material for decorative statues and utilitarian hardware alike.

Common bronze variants include phosphor bronze (copper-tin-phosphorus), which offers improved wear resistance; aluminum bronze (copper-aluminum), noted for high strength and corrosion resistance; and silicon bronze (copper-silicon), which welds well and resists corrosion. The term bronze broadly encompasses any copper alloy with significant tin or other alloying elements.