Bronze: Copper when alloyed with tin (8% to 16%) and a very small percentage of a third element like cadmium, beryllium, phosphorous, silicon etc, is called Bronze. Bronzes are given their name based on the third element added to copper and tin to form the alloy. For example, when the third element is silicon or cadmium, the alloy is called silicon bronze or cadmium bronze respectively.
Properties:
1. This alloy is very hard and brittle.
2. Its corrosion resistance is better than brass as tin is more corrosion resistant then zinc.
3. It possesses high mechanical strength as compared to copper but have lower conductivity.
4. It is ductile and can be drawn into different shapes.
Uses:
Cadmium bronze is used for contacting conductor and commutator segments. Beryllium bronze is used for making current carrying springs, sliding contacts, knife switch blade etc.