Sculptures and monuments made from bronze and copper, pros and cons
Copper is a beautiful reddish, extremely ductile metal. That's why copper and its alloys are often used to make monuments and statues. They have both advantages and disadvantages.
What are the characteristics of bronze and copper monuments?
The copper monument has a beautiful golden-pink color, glitters in the sun. Bronze is a copper alloy containing, as a rule, up to 4% tin, as well as other metals and non-metals-zinc, aluminum, nickel, silicon. Additives give it additional strength, unlike more flexible copper. There are many varieties of bronze alloys with different properties, so the customer has a large choice.
Bronze also has a lower melting point than copper, so it is convenient for casting various figurines, bas-reliefs.
Both bronze and copper are easily cut and processed, so the monuments of them are easy to correct. Especially copper, it is a relatively soft metal.
Bronze and copper are resistant to corrosion. Patina made of copper oxide does not contribute to destruction, as it protects against further oxidation by air oxygen like a film, an amalgam. In addition, monuments made of bronze and copper eventually acquire a beautiful greenish coating, which adds value and elegance to them. If the client wishes, the green patina can be removed with the help of strong acids, for example, sulfuric acid.
There is a possibility to buy a monument , covered with white or black enamel, which will protect it from moisture and plaque formation.
Bronze and copper sculptures, bas-reliefs are resistant to mechanical damage.
What are the disadvantages of monuments made of copper and bronze?
Sculptures and monuments made of copper (unlike bronze) may not be strong enough if some of their elements are thin. After all, the metal is less solid than an alloy with tin and other components.
Bronze products are much more expensive. If the statue is large, you will have to spend a significant amount on material without mentioning the price of working process.
