Phosphor or silicon

[Dan Irvine]

I plan on making some spreader bases and masthead fittings along the lines of Hereshoff's drawings in sensible cruising designs. My research has narrowed down to silicon bronze or phosphor bronze, of which I would buy a sheet 1/16" and build them up from layers as the Mr Hereshoff did. I am seeking advice on which would be better material and whether I can cold bend either.
Spruce mast 46', oak spreaders(double), LOA 43, LOD 33, Archer inspired cutter UHDC. (ultra heavy displacement cruiser). If you all are not too mad at me about touching off the lead debate recently I would like to solicit your opinion.

[centroid]

what is the specifications of both bronzes? i.e. content and strength ? i would consider a higher tensile strength bronze, therefore less weight up there.

[mmd]

Just spec'd all this for two Herreschoff replicas - use silicon bronze. It's stronger and less prone to galvanic corrosion and pitting. It's pretty malleable and will do the fittings you need wonderfully. Repeated bending will work-harden the area of the bend, but you shouldn't need to worry about this with the simple fittings you will be making. Your plate thickness seems a bit suspect, though. The plans for "Marco Polo" and "Nereia" call for plate thickness of 1/8".

[ 05-22-2002, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: mmd ]