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

See Examples For:

bell metal

Varying proportions of copper and tin give gun metal, bell metal, babbitt metal and many another alloy, the greater the percentage of tin the harder being the resulting composition.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now the bell metal rusts scarcely at all, but the iron clapper of a bell does.

From Jack Ranger's Western Trip Or, from Boarding School to Ranch and Range by Clarence Young

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

From The History of Louisville, from the Earliest Settlement till the Year 1852 by Ben Casseday

The preserving pan should be made of bell metal, flat at the bottom, very large in diameter, but not deep.

From The Virginia Housewife by Mary Randolph

If you boil vinegar with pickles in bell metal do not let them stand in it one moment after taken from the fire, and be sure that your kettle is well scoured before using.

From The International Jewish Cook Book 1600 Recipes According to the Jewish Dietary Laws with the Rules for Kashering; the Favorite Recipes of America, Austria, Germany, Russia, France, Poland, Roumania, Etc., Etc. by Florence Kreisler Greenbaum