80/20 Copper Tin

Lead-freeBell Metal Bright Resonant Tone Concentrated Tin Source High Hardness

High-tin bell metal (80% Cu, 20% Sn) for casting bells, gongs, and other resonant castings. Polished 3/8" x 1/2" x 1/2" pieces.

Solidus

1,450°F (788°C)

Liquidus

1,630°F (888°C)

Density

0.314 lbs/in³ (8.7 g/cm³)

Primary Elements

Cu, Sn

Nominal Composition

20% Sn, 80% Cu

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Product Overview

80/20 Copper Tin is a high-tin bronze with a nominal composition of 80% Cu and 20% Sn, a classic bell metal. The high tin content makes it much harder than ordinary bronzes and gives it a bright, sustained, resonant tone, which is why high-tin bronzes of this type are the traditional alloys for bells, gongs, and chimes. Its melting range is roughly 1,450–1,630°F (788–888°C).

Beyond bells and other musical castings, 80/20 copper tin is used for specialty wear-resistant castings, as a bond alloy for diamond and abrasive tools, and as a concentrated source of tin for alloying, since it adds twice as much tin per pound as 90/10 copper tin. High-tin bronze is brittle in the as-cast condition, so it is handled and finished differently from ordinary bronzes.

Supplied as 3/8″ x 1/2″ x 1/2″ polished pieces for clean, precise melting.

Available Forms

3/8" x 1/2" x 1/2" Polished Pieces

Product Code

4805

Technical Info

Thermal Properties

Melting Point (Solidus)1,450°F (788°C)

Melting Point (Liquidus)1,630°F (888°C)

Physical Properties

Density (imperial)0.314 lbs/in³

Density (metric)8.7 g/cm³

Primary ElementsCu, Sn

Lead FreeYes

Key Features

Bell MetalBright Resonant ToneConcentrated Tin SourceHigh Hardness

Solubility Note

melt under charcoal or flux to limit tin oxidation., Melts at a lower temperature than lower-tin bronzes

Nominal Composition

80% Cu
20% Sn

The 20% tin content produces a hard, stiff alloy with low internal damping, so a cast bell rings with a bright, sustained tone. Bell founders have long used high-tin bronzes of about 20–23% tin for their tone and durability. Our 78/22 Bell Metal is also available for founders who prefer a slightly higher tin content.

80/20 contains twice the tin. It is harder, melts at a lower temperature, and has a more resonant tone, but it is more brittle as cast. 90/10 is tougher and more ductile and is used for structural, bearing, and marine castings.

Yes. Because it contains 20% tin, it is a concentrated, pre-alloyed source of tin that dissolves easily in copper melts. Divide the tin you need by 0.20 to find the amount of master alloy, and account for the copper it adds.