Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. It is hard, durable, resistant to corrosion, and has been used for thousands of years in a wide range of applications.
Among the standard uses of bronze are the making of coins and medals. Bronze coins have been in circulation since ancient times, and the bronze medal remains one of the three standard awards in competitive events. Bronze is also used in statues, bearings, and fittings.
It is important not to confuse bronze with brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). Brass is the alloy typically associated with musical instruments such as trumpets and trombones, as well as decorative ornaments and door fittings. Electromagnets use soft iron cores, not bronze. Aircraft bodies are typically made from duralumin (an alloy of aluminium), not bronze.
