Bronze vs. Gunmetal — What's the Difference?

Widely used in sculptures, coins, and architectural details.

Ideal for heavy-duty industrial components, such as bearings and bushings.

Central to human civilization during the Bronze Age.

Exhibits higher mechanical properties compared to traditional bronze.

An alloy primarily of copper and tin, used historically for its durability and workability.

Can include varying amounts of zinc and sometimes lead.

The tin content in bronze can vary, affecting its hardness and color.

A type of bronze alloy that includes zinc, known for its strength and wear resistance.

Known for its corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments.

Known for its use in cannons and naval hardware.

Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (such as aluminium, manganese, nickel or zinc) and sometimes non-metals or metalloids such as arsenic, phosphorus or silicon. These additions produce a range of alloys that may be harder than copper alone, or have other useful properties, such as strength, ductility, or machinability.

Gun metal, also known as red brass in the United States, is a type of bronze; an alloy of copper, tin and zinc. Proportions vary but 88% copper, 8–10% tin, and 2–4% zinc is an approximation.

Any of various alloys of copper and tin in various proportions, sometimes with traces of other metals.

A grey corrosion-resistant form of bronze containing zinc.

An alloy of copper and tin, to which small proportions of other metals, especially zinc, are sometimes added. It is hard and sonorous, and is used for statues, bells, cannon, etc., the proportions of the ingredients being varied to suit the particular purposes. The varieties containing the higher proportions of tin are brittle, as in bell metal and speculum metal.

An alloy of copper with 10 percent tin.

Made from or consisting of bronze

A dark grey or bluish-grey colour; gunmetal grey.

A type of bronze used for parts subject to wear or corrosion (especially corrosion by sea water)

Gunmetal's enhanced resistance to steam and high-pressure environments is ideal for these applications.

Gunmetal is a type of bronze that includes zinc, offering higher strength and wear resistance.

Its corrosion resistance, especially against saltwater, makes bronze ideal for marine hardware.

Bronze is an alloy mainly composed of copper and tin, recognized for its durability and historical significance.

Bronze typically has a golden-brown color, while gunmetal is darker and duller due to its zinc content.

Its higher mechanical properties and resistance to wear make it suitable for heavy-duty industrial components.

Bronze is widely used for artistic, decorative, and marine applications.

Bronze has been central to human civilization, notably during the Bronze Age, for its use in tools, weapons, and art.

While both have similar applications, their differing properties make them better suited for specific uses, with bronze preferred for art and decoration and gunmetal for industrial purposes.

Lead improves the machinability of gunmetal, making it easier to produce complex parts.

Yes, the addition of zinc and sometimes lead makes gunmetal harder than traditional bronze.

Gunmetal includes zinc and sometimes lead, unlike traditional bronze.

Yes, there are several types of bronze, each with varying compositions for different uses.

Yes, the tin content in bronze can vary, affecting its hardness, color, and other properties.

Zinc increases gunmetal's strength and wear resistance, making it suitable for more demanding applications.