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Friday, January 5, 2018

Bronze Tube, Bar, and Sheet Products Can Appear More Elegant with Patina


Metals react differently to oxygen exposure. Ferrous (iron-containing) metals, for instance, form iron oxide or rust when exposed to air or moisture. Non-ferrous metals such as copper and tin, on the other hand, develop a layer of stain called patina.

This change in properties and compositions actually reduces the metal’s overall quality. In the case of ferrous metals, it could even be worse, because rust can reduce them to dust over time, rendering them unsuitable for use as structural reinforcement. The patina on non-ferrous metals, however, has a different effect. Instead of damaging the inside of the metal, it actually shields it against corrosion.

One metal that is particularly susceptible to patination is bronze. An alloy of copper and tin (both form patina when they oxidize), bronze develops a layer of copper oxide on its surface fast, which later transforms into a much harder material, called copper carbonate. Although it seems like a disadvantage, in certain applications of bronze, this property can actually be a merit. Take sculpture for example.

Bronze Used in Sculpture

For thousands of years, bronze has been tortuously sculpted into statues, ornaments, and accessories. The bronze sculptures made millennia ago can still be seen intact in museums all over the world, thanks to their thick layers of patina. It would take more than a couple more millennia for their patina to completely whittle away at the interior of these bronze artifacts.

Sculpting with bronze is still popularly practiced today, and this is mainly due to bronze’s amazing properties. It is hard but slightly brittle, which makes removing portions of the metal without cracking or chipping it quite possible and easy. The patina, which gives the final output an antique appearance, becomes part of the package.

Artificial Patina

Bronze’s unique patina has become so coveted that some have invented techniques for speeding up its development. Generally called “intentional patination”, these techniques involve the use of a variety of chemicals to achieve a precise surface color. Sculptors usually apply these chemicals in a number of layers to produce varied effects, and depending on the chemical used, the resulting patina can be transparent or opaque.

Originally performed to confer the appearance of antiquity on sculptures, intentional patination helps prevent bronze from developing a different kind of patina, which usually does not contribute beauty to the sculpture’s appearance. Controlling the process allows for the creation of the most beautiful bronze furniture and ornaments.

Of course, the success of intentional patination still depends on the purity of bronze used. If you are looking to make your own bronze sculpture or ornament and you want to achieve a certain antique appearance through patination, make sure to get your supplies from a company that has been providing high-quality bronze materials for decades. Suppliers like Rotax metals can provide you with the highest quality bronze tube, bar, or sheet for your project.


About Rotax Metals: Rotax Metals is North America’s leading provider of copper, brass, and bronze supplies. We cater to builders, artisans, manufacturers, and metal suppliers across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1948, we’ve been the supplier of choice for small and large businesses, simply because we are fully capable of exceeding expectations. We leverage our vast knowledge in metalwork and fully equipped manufacturing facilities to provide only the best materials that could suit any type of project.


Sources:

The Artificial Patination of Bronze Sculpture
What Is Patina? Definition and Uses
Patina Formulas for Brass, Bronze and Copper

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