Bronzes toxic properties

These mixtures can be exploded by an electric discharge or by sparks from steel tools etc. Bronze is much safer in that respect and bronze tools should be used wherever possible. Beryllium bronze was strongly recommended at one time. However the toxic properties of beryllium limit its application. 

Tin coatings are widely used in the electrical industry because of their good contact properties and in the food industry because of low toxicity. In addition to pure tin coatings a number of alloy coatings have been developed for special applications, e.g. tin-lead (terne plate), tin-zinc, tin-cadmium, tin-bronze and tin-nickel. Reference should be made to Section 13.5 and to the publication by Britton for data on the corrosion of tin and its alloys. 

Finally, in view of its acidity, wine is likely to corrode metal winemaking equipment, thus dissolving some toxic cations and others responsible for metallic casse. For example, copper, nickel and even lead may be extracted from bronze equipment (pumps, vat taps, hose connections, etc.). This property may also be exploited when wine... 

For purposes of affordabihty, mechanical integrity, electrical properties, and materials conservation, all electrical contacts, regardless of assembly methodology, are made from inexpensive base metals and plated with a minimum thickness of a more precious or more practical material. Many press-fit connectors have been made of berylhum-copper alloy, but due to beryllium dust toxicity, a factor in press-fit lead preparation, the switch to safer phosphor-bronze or other copper aUoys has occurred throughout the industry. 

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