At the Graupen Tin Works, in Bohemia, an alloy of tin and phosphorus
is made containing the greatest possible quantity of phosphorus which
the tin is able to retain without losing any of it upon repeated
meltings. This compound, which is neither entitled to the name of
alloy nor is it a phosphide of tin, is employed in the manufacture
of phosphorus-bronze. In the manufacture of phosphorus-bronze, by
alloying copper with phosphorus-tin, no other precautions require to
be observed than in the preparation of common bronze. As the different
properties of phosphorus-bronze depend upon the proportions of
phosphorus and of tin, two kinds of phosphorus-tin are prepared. No.
0 contains 5 per cent., and No. 1, 21/2 per cent. of phosphorus. These two
kinds suffice to make the greater part of all the desired mixtures.
For special purposes, the Graupen Works make to order phosphorus-tin
with any desired quantity of phosphorus not exceeding 5 per
cent., which is the highest possible limit. It is claimed
that phosphorus-bronze may be manufactured by the use of this
phosphorus-tin as much as 40 per cent. cheaper than that now in the
market, while it will only cost 8 per cent. more than the ordinary tin
and copper bronze.
No details are given of the method employed to make the phosphorus
combine with tin, but the low melting point of tin as compared with
that of copper would indicate that this would lead to the great saving
promised above.
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