Abstract
The development and fabrication of α-brass pans, including the sinking of the pan head in the traditional manner using a hammer and patterning musical notes and their turning is compared with a low-carbon steel (Caribbean-type) pan as a standard. In this study these experimental pans are fabricated by welding the α-brass or low-carbon steel platforms to a low-carbon steel hoop and side metal or skirt. These pans are 2.54 cm larger in diameter than pans traditionally fabricated from 55-gallon barrels. The corresponding pan head materials are examined by optical and electron microscopy and hardness profiles are measured as well. Deformation is shown to influence the acoustic response of ideal, flat, circular discs of both the α-brass and low-carbon steel as well as 316L stainless steel. The frequency-amplitude-time spectra for common octave ranges are compared and chromatic tones are shown for the α-brass as well as the low-carbon steel standard. These results indicate that a wide range of hard metals or alloys can be used to produce musical pan instruments.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. E. Murr, E. Ferreyra, J. G. Maldonado, E. A. Trillo, S. Pappu, C. Kennedy, J. De Alba, M. Posada, D. P. Russell and J. L. White J. Mater. Sci. 34 (1999) 967.
E. Ferreyra, J. G. Maldonado, L. E. Murr, S. Pappu, C. Kennedy, M. Posada, J. De Alba, R. Chitre and D. P. Russell ibid. 34 (1999) 981.
L. E. Murr and E. Ferreyra Am. Sci. 88 (2000) 38.
E. Ferreyra and L. E. Murr Mater. Characterization 45 (2000) 341.
E. Ferreyra, L. E. Murr, D. P. Russell and J. F. Bingert ibid. 47 (2001) 325.
A. Achong J. Sound & Vib. 197 (1996) 471.
A. Achong, in Proc. Int. Conf. on the Science & Technology of the Steelpan (ICSTS 2000), edited by A. Achong (Trinidad & Tobago Govt. Printery, 2002) vol. 1, p. 1.
A. Achong J. Sound & Vib. 222 (1999) 597.
W. Soedel ibid. 70 (1980) 309.
A. Achong, in Proc. Int. Conf. on the Science & Technology of the Steelpan (ICSTS 2000), edited by A. Achong (Trinidad & Tobago Govt. Printery, 2002) vol. 1, p. 235.
T. D. Rossing and U. J. Hansen, “Science of the Steelpan: What is Known and What is Not,” ibid, p. 17.
H. F. Olson, “Music, Physics and Engineering,” 2nd ed. (Dover, New York, 1967) p. 80.
L. E. Murr, “Interfacial Phenomena in Metals and Alloys” (Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1975); reprinted by Tech Books, Herndon, VA, 1991 (available form CBLS, 119 Brentwood St., Marietta, OH, 45750 fax 740-374-8029).
David R. Lide (ed.), Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 78th ed. (CRC Press, New York, 1997–1998).
D. Gay, “Steel Drums to Steelpans,” in Proc. Int. Conf. on the Science and Technology of the Steelpan (ICSTS 2000), edited by A. Achong (Trinidad and Tobago Govt. Printery, 2002), vol. 1, p. 163.
C. A. C. Imbert, “Investigation of Commercial Production Techniques of Steelpan Instruments,” Report, Caribbean Industrial Research Institute, Tunapuna Post Office, Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago, 1977.
S. SchÄrer, F. Rohner and P. Schober, in Proc. Int. Conf. on the Science and Technology of the Steelpan (ICSTS 2000), edited by A. Achong (Trinidad & Tobago Govt. Printery, 2002), vol. 1, p. 189.
L. E. Murr, K. P. Staudhammer and S. S. Hecker Met. Trans (A) 13A (1982) 627.
S. SchÄrer and F. Rohner, in Proc. Int. Conf. on the Science and Technology of the Steelpan (ICSTS 2000), edited by A. Achong (Trinidad & Tobago Govt. Printery, 2002), vol. 1, p. 179.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murr, L.E., Esquivel, E.V., Bujanda, A.A. et al. Metallurgical and acoustical comparisons for a brass pan with a Caribbean steel pan standard. Journal of Materials Science 39, 4139–4155 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JMSC.0000033394.50629.0c
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JMSC.0000033394.50629.0c