What are the differences between bronze, brass and copper? This is a question I get asked a lot.
All three of these metals belong to a category of metals known as "red metals", characterised by their warm hues. Copper is a naturally ocuring metal found on the periodic table to elements, while both brass and bronze are so-called alloys of copper. In other words, brass and bronze both contain copper, which has been mixed with other metals such as zinc or tin.
As shown in the picture below, copper is very red or pink in colour, brass is more "gold" coloured, while bronze tends to be somewhere in between. There are different grades and finishes for these metals, which will all influence the colour.
All three metals exhibit unique qualities that make them excellent choices for plaque / sign-making. For example, bronze, brass and copper can all develop a rich patina as they age. This is the charm of using real copper, brass and bronze; however, this can also be prevented if you prefer your plaque to stay looking like new, e.g. by applying a protective layer, such as a clear-coat or wax coating.
If you'd like to find out more about the bronze, brass and copper signs / plaques that I make, there is more information and photos on the listing page here. Thanks for looking!