 
Next time you enjoy a plate of pasta, give copper some of the credit.
Most of the pasta made around the world is extruded through dies made
of bronze.
Up until about 60 years ago, pasta dies were usually made of solid
copper. Then, manganese bronze took over. Subsequently, even stronger
aluminum bronze became the material of choice.
Today, pasta dies are made from two different copper alloys: 86% Cu,
10.5% Al, 3.5% Fe; and 80% Cu, 10% Al, 5% Ni, 5% Fe.
Besides strength, these alloys are more resistant than prior materials
to the caustic liquid used to clean the holes in the dies at the end
of each day. |
