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Bronze

Description

Bronze is a nonferrous copper metal alloy consisting of 88% copper and most commonly 12% tin. There are other compositions that switch the tin for various other materials such as aluminum, nickel, zinc, arsenic, silicon, manganese, and phosphorus. These various combinations change the hardness, elasticity, and flexibility of the alloy. Humans first started using bronze over 5000 years ago, ending the Stone Age. The first use of bronze was for making various tools as they had much stronger durability than stone and other available materials of the time. Due to the high copper percentage over time, the bronze will oxidize forming a brownish-green layer called patina. Bronze is generally used for small parts such as coins, and car parts because of its high strength and corrosion resistance. Bronze is commonly found in architecture because of its natural and traditional look. Bronze is also commonly used for manufacturing instruments because it gives off a warmer tone compared to other metals. Finally, bronze is often used for metal sculpting because bronze is easy to mold when hot and allows for very intricate designs without changing shape as it cools.

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Environmental Impact

Due to bronze being an alloy, it requires both copper and tin to be produced then it gets made into bronze requiring 3 separate processes which greatly increases the environmental impact of bronze. Since bronze is a metal it is 100% recyclable which means that not recycling bronze will further increase the environmental impact of making it. Unlike steel bronze can last for over 1000 years without any upkeep because bronze is very immune to the environment. The self-creating patina is a self-protecting layer of oxidized copper allowing for bronze to outlast many other materials. Because of the long life and relatively low maintenance upkeep bronze is a great material to use to improve a building's LEED rating. Even after the patina is formed bronze is still 100% recyclable.

Interior Uses

  • Table - This table design primarily focuses on the warmth of bronze. The brown color in addition to the white and grey background elements adds a lot of warmth to this space.

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  • ​Elevator Door - This elevator door used the soft malleable nature of bronze to add sculptural elements. To maintain the brownish-yellow color of new bronze this door is regularly oiled to keep the patina from forming.

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  • Light Fixture - This light fixture shows what bronze looks like when the patina first starts to form. The patina adds a level of naturalness to this very industrial-styled fixture.

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  • Railing - This bronze railing is a very traditional look for bronze architecture. The sculptural elements are common in traditional bronze work because the bronze is very soft and easy to mold compared to other metals.

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  • Staircase - This staircase is a modern take on how bronze can be used in architecture. Using bronze in this design added a level of warmth to the room that wouldn’t have been there if another material was used.

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Bronze Water Fixture

Bronze can be used in many different interior applications, for fixtures bronze can be regularly oiled to maintain the glossy golden look more commonly found in modern designs, or like this water fixture it can be allowed to form a patina providing natural protection and changing the color to a darker brownish green. This is more commonly used in traditional designs. Mineral oil is a common oil used on bronze for the modern look.

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Relevant standard through ASTM: D665, B62-17/F1245-19

University of Wisconsin - Madison

School of Human Ecology

Interior Architecture Phase 2 - Fall 2024

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