bell metal

American  

noun

1. an alloy of about 80 percent copper and 20 percent tin, sometimes with small amounts of lead and zinc, having low damping qualities and used especially for bells.

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bell metal British  

noun

1. an alloy of copper and tin, with some zinc and lead, used in casting bells

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Etymology

Origin of bell metal

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

It is used in some metallic alloys, as type metal and bell metal, and also for medical preparations, which are in general emetics or cathartics.

From Project Gutenberg

In the harder kinds of brass, such as that termed gun metal, composition, or bell metal, the cuttings will fly off the tool in short angular grains, such as indicated in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg

Bells, Steam-Whistles, and in fine every variety of article manufactured from brass or bell metal will be made at this foundry.

From Project Gutenberg

A score of clocks in church-steeples, that tower thickly over the City of the Angels, had taken up the cue; and the air of the night vibrated melodiously under the music of bell metal.

From Project Gutenberg

It is employed pure for numerous purposes, and is also mixed with other metals to form bell metal, speculum metal, for optical purposes, and German silver.

From Project Gutenberg