tincopper

Tincopper is a term used to describe a copper-tin alloy, most commonly bronze. Although not a formal designation in every metallurgical reference, tincopper is generally understood as the binary copper-tin system whose properties differ from pure copper by virtue of tin addition. It has been used since antiquity and remains common in various industrial and artistic applications.

Composition and variants: Tin is typically added in amounts from about 5 to 20 percent by weight. Bronze categories include red bronze (roughly 8–14% tin) and classic or yellow bronze (about 12–15%), with high-tin bronzes reaching up to around 20%. The tin binds with copper to form a harder, more wear-resistant material while maintaining ductility. Small additions of other elements may occur in specialized bronzes, but those are not generally considered part of the basic tincopper category.

Properties and processing: Tincopper alloys are harder and have higher strength and creep resistance than pure copper, and they offer good corrosion resistance in air and marine environments. They typically melt in the range of about 900–1000°C depending on composition and have densities near 8.8–8.9 g/cm³. They are well suited to casting and can be subsequently forged, rolled, or heat-treated to refine mechanical properties.

Applications and history: Bronze, the most common tincopper alloy, has been crucial since the Bronze Age for tools, weapons, statues, and coinage. In modern use, tin-copper alloys serve in bearings, bushings, marine hardware, sculpture, and various industrial components where a combination of hardness, wear resistance, and machinability is desirable.

See also: bronze; copper-tin alloys; tin bronzes.