Thanks to its versatile use, bronze remains one of the most valuable metals in the recycling industry. Its ability to be reprocessed with minimal loss of quality makes it not only a noble but also an environmentally friendly material. It is worth taking a look at the processing of scrap bronze to understand why recycling this metal is becoming increasingly important.

What is bronze and where is it used?

Bronze is a metal alloy, mainly copper with the addition of tin, sometimes enriched with other elements such as aluminium, nickel, phosphorus or zinc, which influences its properties and use. Bronze has high strength, corrosion resistance and an attractive appearance. It is more durable than many other metals, which makes it widely used in the production of various objects.

Here are some uses for bronze:

1. Building and construction industry:

• • 1. • Pipes: Bronze pipes are used in water and gas installations.
       • Sheets and sections: Bronze is used to manufacture sheet metal, sections and structural components.
    2. Electrical and electronic industry:
       • Electrical wires: bronze wire is used to make electrical wires.
       • Electronic components: Bronze can be used in the manufacture of electrical contacts and various electronic components.
    3. Maritime industry:
       • Boats and ships: bronze is used for a variety of components in shipbuilding, such as propellers, shafts and ship fittings. Its corrosion resistance is particularly valuable in marine conditions.
    4. Automotive industry:
       • Automotive parts: bronze can be used to manufacture various automotive parts such as bushings, bearings and brake hoses.
    5. Art and decoration:
       • Sculptures: bronze is a popular material in artistic sculpture because of its ease of processing.
       • Decorative elements: Bronze decorative elements such as lamps, sconces and fittings add elegance to the interiors.
    6. Coins and medals:
       • Coins: In the past, bronze was often used for coins because of its durability and aesthetics.
       • Medals: nowadays bronze is still used for various medals, awards or decorations.
    7. Musical instruments:
       • Bells and bells: Bronze is used in the manufacture of bells and chimes due to its sound-absorbing properties.
    8. Bearings and mechanical components:
       • Bearings and machine components: bronze alloys are used in the manufacture of bearings and various mechanical components due to their durability and ability to operate in harsh environments.

Recycling process for bronze scrap

Recycling scrap bronze is a complex process that involves several steps.

• Collection and segregation

The first step is purchase of bronze - collection of bronze scrap mainly at scrap yards from various sources, such as old pipes, bushings, ship bolts, electric cables, car scrap or old decorative elements. The raw material is then carefully segregated into different bronze alloys using a spectrometer and any impurities such as other metals, inorganic impurities and plastic are removed.

• Melting

After collecting and segregating the bronze scrap, the next stage is remelting. The raw material is subjected to high temperatures usually in induction furnaces in order to melt it and adjust its chemical composition to appropriate standards. Once the appropriate liquid metal alloy is prepared in the furnace, it is cast into bronze ingots, tubes, shafts, bushings and other semi-finished products used for further production.

Advantages of recycling bronze scrap

In addition to its environmental benefits, bronze recycling also has economic advantages - it is cost-effective because it is usually cheaper to melt down and reuse than mining and processing copper and tin.

• Saving on natural resources

Recycling allows copper and tin to be reused, reducing the need to extract new raw materials. This contributes to the conservation of the earth's natural resources.

• Energy saving

Producing copper from ore is an energy-intensive process. Recycling scrap bronze uses significantly less energy, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the negative impact on the climate.

• Environmental protection

Recycling scrap bronze reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Metallic waste can cause soil and groundwater contamination, which threatens the environment. Recycling minimises this negative impact and has the effect of significantly reducing Co2 emissions.

Bronze alloys

In Poland, the classification of bronze is regulated by national standards, which are in line with international standards. These standards define the chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, as well as dimensional tolerances for different types of bronze. The most important institution for standardisation is the Polish Committee for Standardisation (PKN), which is responsible for the development and introduction of Polish standards (PN) for metals, including bronze.

The diversity of bronze alloys is due to their different compositions, which affects their properties and applications.

Bronze alloys are divided into:

• Casting alloys
• Plastic alloys

Examples of bronze alloys include:

• Phosphor bronze (CuSn):

Composition: Copper (Cu) and tin (Sn) doped with phosphorus (P).

CUSn12 bronze - has excellent strength, abrasion and corrosion resistance. It is often used in the manufacture of bearings, sealing rings, fasteners and machine components where high durability is required. CUSn12 is a self-lubricating bronze.

Bronze B101 (CuSn10P) is a specialised tin-phosphorus bronze with high resistance to mechanical loads, abrasion, crushing, corrosion, as well as high temperatures. It is used for the manufacture of chemical fittings and parts of equipment and machinery that are exposed to corrosion, heavy loads and rotation, such as bearings. It is distinguished by its flowability and machinability. The alloy is also called phosphor bronze. It contains about 1% of red phosphorus

• Aluminium bronze (CuAl):

Composition: Copper (Cu) and aluminium (Al).

Application: Aluminium bronze is characterised by good corrosion resistance, as well as low friction and abrasion. It is used in the manufacture of bolts, power transmission components and also in marine structures due to its resistance to sea salt.

• Aluminium-nickel bronze (CuAl10Ni):

Composition: Copper (Cu), aluminium (Al) and nickel (Ni).

Application: Aluminium-nickel bronze is characterised by its exceptional tensile strength, which makes it ideal for the manufacture of components subjected to high stress, such as springs, gears, as well as structural components.

• Nickel bronze (CuNi):

Composition: Copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni).

Use: Nickel bronze is characterised by its resistance to corrosion and oxidation. It is often used in the manufacture of chemical apparatus parts, marine components and other structures subjected to acid and salt exposure.

• Beryllium bronze (CuBe):

Composition: Copper (Cu) and beryllium (Be).

Use: Beryllium bronze has excellent elasticity and fatigue resistance. It is used in the manufacture of springs, electrodes, as well as in the aerospace industry, due to its lightness and exceptional mechanical properties.

• Aluminium-manganese bronze (CuAl9Mn2):

Composition: Copper (Cu), aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mn).

Application: This bronze is used in the manufacture of machine parts, pump body components and also in the marine industry due to its corrosion resistance.

• Tin-zinc-lead bronze RG7 (CuSn7ZnPb)

Composition: Copper (Cu), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb)

It is one of the most popular bronze alloys. It is resistant to corrosion, seawater and abrasion, which is why it is also called sliding bronze. It is used to produce bearings in the automotive industry, as well as bushings. It is also used in the chemical industry and in the construction industry.

You can download the composition of selected bronze alloys Here

What the price of bronze depends on

The price of scrap bronze is dependent on a number of factors and its value can fluctuate depending on current market conditions.

What is the price of bronze?

1. 1. 1. Commodity market prices:
         • Copper and tin prices: bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, so the prices of these raw materials directly affect the cost of producing bronze. If copper or tin prices increase, this can result in an increase in bronze production costs and affect the price of bronze.
      2. Demand and supply:
         • Industrial demand: Strong industrial demand, especially in the construction, electrical and automotive sectors, can result in higher bronze prices. In turn, a decline in demand may lead to lower prices.
         • Supply of bronze scrap: The availability of bronze scrap on the market also affects the price. If supply is low, prices can rise.
      3. Economic situation:
         • Economic growth: During periods of economic growth, demand for metal, including bronze, often increases, which can raise prices.
         • Economic recession: In times of recession, industrial demand can decline, which in turn can lead to a fall in bronze prices.
      4. Exchange rates: Currency fluctuations can affect the price of metals, including bronze. If the value of the local currency falls compared to other currencies, this can increase the cost of importing the metal and raise the price.
      5. Technological innovations: Technological advances in the processes of bronze extraction, production and recycling can affect production costs and therefore the final price.
      6. Policy and regulation: Changes in environmental regulations, raw material extraction or international trade may affect the price of bronze by introducing new standards and restrictions.
      7. Market speculation: The actions of speculative investors who make decisions based on forecasts of price movements in the commodity market may also affect bronze prices.

Summary

Recycling scrap bronze is an important step towards a more sustainable future, where maximising resource use and minimising waste will be important. In addition, the unique properties of bronze make it extremely valuable and widely used in various fields. The introduction and promotion of more efficient recycling systems can help to protect the environment and ensure a balance between economic benefits and concern for the planet.

At RMC Polska Sp. z o.o. we buy and sell all types of bronze scrap. By choosing us as your partner, you will not only gain attractive financial terms, but also the certainty that your scrap will be processed responsibly and to the highest ecological standards. Our experience and commitment to promoting sustainability make us an industry leader who not only cares about the environment, but also about the future of our planet.

Details: https://www.rmcpolska.pl/skup-brazu/