Effect of high-tin bronze composition on physical, mechanical, and acoustic properties of gamelan materials

High tin bronze alloy (Cu>17wt.Sn) is commonly as raw material to fabricate musical instruments. Gamelan musical instruments in Indonesia are produced using tin bronze alloy raw materials. The tin bronze alloy used by each gamelan craftsman has a different tin composition, generally in the range of Cu(20-24) wt. Sn. This study aims to investigate the effect of microstructure, density, and mechanical properties of Cu(20-24)wt.Sn against the acoustic properties processed by the sand casting method. The material is melted in a crucible furnace until it reaches a pouring temperature of 1100ºC by the sand casting method. The specimens were subjected to microstructure observations, density and porosity as well as mechanical properties testing including tensile strength, bending strength, hardness, and modulus of elasticity. Mechanical properties data then used to calculate several parameters of acoustic properties including speed of sound (c), impedance (z) and radiation coefficient (R). Processes simulation using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Experiment Method Analysis (EMA) were carried out to determine acoustic properties including sound intensity, natural frequency and damping capacity. The experimental result shows that the increase in tin composition in Cu(20-24) wt. Sn changed the microstructure of coarse grains into dendrite-columned fine grains. Physical properties of density decrease, while porosity increases. Mechanical properties including tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and bending strength decreased, while the hardness of the alloy increases. The calculation of acoustic parameters such as the speed of sound (c), impedance (z) and radiation coefficient (R) has decreased. Moreover, sound intensity (dB), natural frequency (Hz) and damping capacity also decrease with increasing tin composition. Hence, tin bronze alloy Cu20wt.Sn is the recommended raw material for the manufacture of gamelan instruments through the sand casting method. © 2021 Polish Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.