Copper and Copper Alloys (Brass and Bronze)

• colour of bare metal: various shades of yellow (pure copper is reddish)
• not magnetic (but brass-plated iron will be magnetic)
• brass is an alloy of copper plus zinc
• bronze is an alloy of copper plus tin

Freshly polished copper objects have a reddish-orange colour. Examples of objects made from copper include coins, roofing, cookware, and pipes. Shown here is a copper vase. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Conservation Institute.

Freshly polished brass is usually yellow, although sometimes it may be red. Shown here is brass that has been partly patinated. Other examples of brass objects are candlesticks, military accessories, and musical and scientific instruments. Photograph of partly patinated brass is courtesy of Martina Griesser-Stermscheg.

Although polished bronze is normally yellow, objects made with bronze have often another colour because they have tarnished or been intentionally patinated. Examples of bronze objects are statues, bells, and Chinese mirrors. This photograph shows a cast bronze figure with a natural tarnish layer. Photograph courtesy of Martina Griesser-Stermscheg and the University of Applied Arts Vienna.