Pewter

Pewter is a collective term for tin alloys, which consist traditional 85-96 percent of tin and the balance of copper and / or lead and primarily for casting, but also rolled products ( tin foil ) are used. Modern Hartzinnlegierungen made ​​of tin, copper, antimony and / or bismuth.

Since the mechanical strength of tin for commodities is too low, it must be alloyed. Pewter is a bright, shiny metal that oxidizes dark depending on the composition over time like silver. It is soft enough that you can easily edit workpieces, and the low melting point makes it an ideal material for metal casting.

Pewter was from the Middle Ages to the 18th and 19th centuries widely used material for dining and drinking vessels, however, it was largely replaced by porcelain, glass and other materials in this function. The main application of these alloys is now next to special applications, the production of fashion jewelry and ornamental device.

Pewter was produced in various compositions (for example):

• 96 % tin, 4% copper for cutlery and tableware
• 92 % tin, 4% copper, 4 % lead for drinking vessels
• 85 % tin, 15 % lead for other applications

English names for Hartzinnlegierungen are pewter and Britannia metal

• Britannia metal: tin 65-97 %, 1-24 % antimony, copper, 1-5%, 1-5% bismuth
• Pewter: for example, 81% tin, 6% antimony, copper, 6%, Lead 7%
• Queens Metal: tin 88%, 8% antimony, 2% copper, bismuth 2% ( Source: Richter)