Tombak vs. Buntmetal

[all1knew]

Hello all,

So how do you tell Tombak from Buntmetal? Please let me know either way. Thank you.

William Kramer

[Weedy]

Hello all,

So how do you tell Tombak from Buntmetal? Please let me know either way. Thank you.

William Kramer

I think Tombac and Buntmetal are two names for the same composite metal.

Could they both be different languages? Buntmetal is of course German.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Tombak is a specific term indicating a brass-like yellow coloured basemetal (can't remember the exact alloy composition though sorry). Buntmetal is a general (bucket) term for non-ferrous metals/alloys which can include tombak, alt/neusilber (nickel-silver) and any other "good quality" alloy. To take Buntmetal to it's extreme "non-ferrous" definition, it could include aluminium and zinc alloys. Most people/dealers will separate the latter two terms out though. Personally, wherever possible I use the most specific term I can to minimise confusion.

Regards
Mike K

[John F.]

I had always thought that tombac and buntmetal were one in the same being that it is an inexpensive alloy of copper and zinc used to imitate gold and for gilding. Although it's quality isn't the best it is better then pot metal or war time metal which is another cheap alloy of poor quality that usually contains lead.

[Marc Garlasco]

Tomback/Buntmetal is BRASS.
Marc

[torstenbel]

Hi,

Tombak is a specific term indicating a brass-like yellow coloured basemetal (can't remember the exact alloy composition though sorry). Buntmetal is a general (bucket) term for non-ferrous metals/alloys which can include tombak, alt/neusilber (nickel-silver) and any other "good quality" alloy. To take Buntmetal to it's extreme "non-ferrous" definition, it could include aluminium and zinc alloys. Most people/dealers will separate the latter two terms out though. Personally, wherever possible I use the most specific term I can to minimise confusion.

Regards
Mike K

This explanation is spot on Cheers, Torsten (BEng Hons in Mechanical Engineering and Dipl-Ing f. Maschinenbau)...

[all1knew]

k

Hello all,

Thank you to all of you who sent a reply.

William Kramer