Bronze and Other Tin Alloys Patent Information
Tin is one of the most commonly used metals in engineering applications, due to its low cost, wide availability, and many applications. To take advantage of its unique properties and characteristics, a variety of alloys have been developed that use tin as a basic ingredient.
One of the most popular and widely used of these tin alloys is bronze. Bronze is a combination of copper and tin, with additional alloying elements added to impart certain desirable properties to the metal. The proportion of copper and tin in bronze is typically between 64-70% copper and 30-36% tin, though variations exist.
Bronze alloys have many applications and are favored for their good wear properties, durability, corrosion resistance, and low melting point. Common bronze alloys include phosphor bronze, silicon bronze, beryllium bronze, and aluminum bronze, which are all used in various industries like aerospace and naval engineering, electrical contacts, and automotive components.
Besides bronze, there are a variety of other tin alloys that can also be used in engineering applications. One of the most popular is white metal, which is composed of lead, tin, and zinc. White metal is often used in castings and bearings and can be easily worked and soldered. Tin-bismuth alloys are also popular and have low melting points and superior machinability.
Tin-antimony alloys are favored for their corrosion resistance in harsh environments and are often used in marine applications. Tin-zinc alloys have low melting points and good welding properties, making them a popular choice for joining metal parts. Tin-lead alloys are also frequently used and are favored for their solderability, low wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
In addition to these alloys, many other patented alloys can also be found that rely on or contain tin. These alloys typically focus on taking advantage of tin’s unique characteristics in order to create proprietary alloys with specific desirable properties.
Patent literature is one of the best sources for information on alloys, their compositions, and the specific applications for which they are used. A search of the US and international patent literature will yield a wealth of information on tin alloys, from those traditionally used and commercially available to those that are the subject of proprietary patents and applications.
By performing a thorough patent search and examining the various patent documents, engineers and inventors can learn more about the properties and characteristics of existing tin alloys, as well as any new developments in the field. This, in turn, can help them in their own product development, material selection, and production processes.
