When designing or selecting burial monuments in Walterboro, SC, you are faced with many options. In addition to various styles, sizes and inscriptions, you must also choose the material. In fact, this choice may help determine the options for the other features of the monument. Depending on what features you want for the final product, you may find that bronze is a top choice for your monument.
Since granite is the most common material used in burial monuments in Walterboro, SC, you might not be as familiar with bronze. Use the following FAQ to educate yourself about this metal and determine if you want to include it as part of your memorial.
What is bronze?
Bronze is a metal alloy. It is made of copper and other ingredients. Most often, the additional ingredient is tin. However, silicon, aluminum, arsenic, manganese and phosphorus are also used to create different types of bronze. Together, these elements result in a metal that is much stronger than copper is on its own.
You may recognize bronze by is dull gold coloring. The faint rings on its surface also help distinguish bronze from brass.
What is bronze used for?
Bronze is used for a variety of projects in many settings. Some of its most common uses are for musical instruments, medals, industrial applications and sculptures. It offers resistance to corrosion and low metal-on-metal friction, making it ideal for these projects.
What are the advantages of bronze?
As mentioned above, bronze’s consistency makes it much harder than copper. It also resists metal fatigue and is less likely to corrode than some other metals. Bronze is also a good conductor of heat and electricity. These advantages make bronze a good choice for industrial and automotive parts, such as springs, bushings and bearings.
What are the disadvantages of bronze?
Compared to steel, bronze is softer and weaker. It is also a more expensive material. For some applications, the advantages bronze provides makes it worth the additional cost. For others, the strength of steel is preferable.
Does bronze discolor over time?
Because it contains no iron, bronze does not rust. However, it does tarnish. Over time, it forms a patina, or discoloration, on its surface. This discoloration is typically brown or green.
How should bronze be cleaned and maintained?
Bronze can be easily cleaned with a paste of flour, salt and vinegar. Rub this onto the bronze and let it stand for about half an hour. Wash with running water, then dry and buff with a soft cloth. This regular cleaning will keep bronze well maintained for a long life.
Find Bronze Burial Monuments in Walterboro, SC
Would you like more information about bronze and its application for burial monuments in Walterboro, SC? Contact Steedley Monument Works today. We offer an indoor showroom and an outdoor display to highlight various headstones and options for materials and styles. Our monument designers use precision methods to create lasting pieces to memorialize loved ones. Whether you want to highlight a monument with bronze details or create a rust-free bronze monument, give us a call today.