Adding silver to bronze in foundry

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Adding silver and tin to bronze can enhance the sound quality of musical instruments by altering the resonance and creating desirable undertones. The artist seeks to understand the basic metallurgy involved in mixing these metals, particularly for investment casting. While lead is known to affect sound quality, silver is preferred for its workability and aesthetic appeal. The discussion highlights a curiosity about how different metals influence sound waves and the overall tonal characteristics of instruments. Further guidance on the mixing process and the scientific principles behind these changes is requested.
gregfoundry
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Hi I am just curious as to how to add silver and tin to bronze to change its sound... I am making some musical instruments that need to have these metals included for resonance. Being an artist with a small foundry just for casting my own work I have no experience in the production of alloys ... although I have some experience with the process of investment casting and a little in sand and ceramic shell. I have copper, tin, silver and am thinking of maybe adding antmony . If it is easier I can get recycled bronze and just add the extras to that ...maybe...? Would be grateful for any help or to be pointed in the right direction for help
Greg
 
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What dictates that silver and tin need to be added for resonance?

Just interested!
 
As far as I know you can add lead as well...some how the sound quality changes to what is wanted for bells,cymbals etc. I think maybe my word resonance may have been incorrect. These softer metals seem to maybe slow the sound waves and create undertones that just make for a nicer sound. I am wanting to add silver instead of lead because it just is nicer to work with. But I do not really know in a scientific sense why this happens. I guess my question really lies in basic metallurgy of which I am becoming more and more interested. Still keen to know how to mix these metals.
 
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