Bronze, an alloy primarily composed of copper, is often mixed with other metals to enhance its mechanical, chemical, or aesthetic properties. The most common alloys combined with bronze include tin, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, and nickel.

1. Tin Bronze: Adding tin to bronze increases its hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance. This mixture is widely used in marine applications, musical instruments, and bearings.

2. Aluminum Bronze: Aluminum improves bronze's wear resistance and tensile strength, making it ideal for heavy-duty industrial components like gears and valves.

3. Silicon Bronze: Silicon enhances bronze's castability and weldability, often used in architectural and artistic applications due to its smooth finish.

4. Phosphor Bronze: Phosphorus refines the grain structure, improving fatigue resistance, which is crucial for springs and electrical contacts.

5. Nickel Bronze: Nickel adds toughness and resistance to high temperatures, commonly used in aerospace and chemical processing equipment.

By blending bronze with these metals, manufacturers can tailor its properties to meet specific industrial or artistic needs, ensuring versatility across various applications.