Bronze is an alloy made mostly of copper. The classic addition is tin, and some bronzes use aluminium, silicon or phosphorus as well as, or instead of, tin, for strength or for resistance to corrosion. Bronze scrap is any of these alloys at the end of its use: bushings, bearings, valve bodies, pump parts, marine fittings, propellers, gears, statues and plaques.
Bronze or brass?
Brass is copper mixed with zinc. Both are yellowish, neither is magnetic, and they get mixed up all the time. A few ways to tell them apart:
- Colour: bronze is usually darker, a reddish or brownish gold. Yellow brass is lighter and brighter.
- Use: bearings, bushings and heavy pump and marine parts are usually bronze. Taps, plumbing fittings, keys and decorative hardware are usually brass.
- Hardness: bronze tends to be harder.
- Weight: both are heavy, so weight alone does not separate them.
None of these is certain. When the two are mixed, the safest thing is to keep anything you are unsure about in its own bag and let the buyer check it.
Why bronze pays more
The price follows the copper content. Most bronze carries more copper than common yellow brass, and tin is a valuable metal in its own right. A drum of bronze sold as brass loses that difference.
Types you may come across
- Tin bronze and phosphor bronze: bushings, bearings, springs and gears
- Aluminium bronze: marine fittings, pump and valve parts, heavy duty components
- Bronze turnings: swarf from machine shops, priced lower because of oil and fine particles
- Mixed bronze: pieces with steel inserts, other metals or plating
How to get the best rate
- Keep bronze apart from brass and from copper
- Take out steel bolts, shafts and inserts where you can
- Keep turnings dry and as free of oil as possible
- Do not paint or coat pieces before selling them
Selling bronze scrap
Most bronze scrap comes from workshops that repair pumps, valves and bearings. If you are not sure whether a lot is bronze or brass, send a photo on WhatsApp to +971 52 727 0105, or bring a sample to the yard at Musaffah M42. The other metals we buy are on the metal scrap page.
Common questions
What is the difference between bronze and brass?
Bronze is copper alloyed mainly with tin. Brass is copper alloyed with zinc. Bronze is usually darker and harder, and it tends to carry more copper.
Is bronze worth more than brass as scrap?
Usually yes, because most bronze contains more copper than common yellow brass, and tin is valuable too. That is why they are bought as separate grades.
Is bronze magnetic?
No. Bronze, brass and copper are not magnetic. If a magnet pulls on a piece, there is steel in it, often a bolt or an insert.
