Pewter
Pewter (/ˈpjuːtər/) is a malleable metal alloy consisting of tin (85–99%), antimony (approximately 5–10%), copper (2%), bismuth, and sometimes silver.[1] In the past it was an alloy of tin and lead, but most modern pewter, in order to prevent lead poisoning, is not made with lead. Pewter has a low melting point, around 170–230 °C (338–446 °F), depending on the exact mixture of metals.[2][3] The word pewter is probably a variation of "spelter", a term for zinc alloys (originally a colloquial name for zinc).[4]
History
Pewter was first used around the beginning of the
Lidless mugs and lidded tankards may be the most familiar pewter artifacts from the late 17th and 18th centuries, although the metal was also used for many other items including porringers (shallow bowls), plates, dishes, basins, spoons, measures, flagons, communion cups, teapots, sugar bowls, beer steins (tankards), and cream jugs. In the early 19th century, changes in fashion caused a decline in the use of pewter flatware. At the same time, production increased of both cast and spun pewter tea sets, whale-oil lamps, candlesticks, and so on. Later in the century, pewter alloys were often used as a base metal for silver-plated objects.
In the late 19th century, pewter came back into fashion with the revival of medieval objects for decoration. New replicas of medieval pewter objects were created, and collected for decoration. Today, pewter is used in decorative objects, mainly collectible statuettes and figurines, game figures, aircraft and other models, (replica) coins, pendants, plated jewellery and so on. Certain athletic contests, such as the
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Pewter ring -
Pewter plate -
Pewter vase -
Pewter cream pitcher c. 1780
Types
In antiquity, pewter was tin alloyed with lead and sometimes also copper. Older pewters with higher lead content are heavier, tarnish faster, and their oxidation has a darker, silver-gray color.[10] Pewters containing lead are no longer used in items that will come in contact with the human body (such as cups, plates, or jewelry), due to the toxicity of lead. Modern pewters are available that are completely free of lead, although many pewters containing lead are still being produced for other purposes.[11]
A typical European casting alloy contains 94% tin, 1% copper and 5% antimony. A European pewter sheet would contain 92% tin, 2% copper, and 6% antimony. Asian pewter, produced mostly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, contains a higher percentage of tin, usually 97.5% tin, 1% copper, and 1.5% antimony. This makes the alloy slightly softer.[5]
The term Mexican pewter is used for any of various alloys of aluminium that are used for decorative items.[12][13][14]
Pewter is also used to imitate platinum in costume jewelry.
Properties
Pewter, being a softer material, can be manipulated in various ways such as being
.Given that pewter is soft at room temperature, a pewter bell does not ring clearly. Cooling it in liquid nitrogen hardens it and enables it to ring, but also makes it more brittle.[15]
See also
Notes
- ^ Richardson, Kathryn. "Pewter Casting Alloys". Northern Smelters.
- ^ "Pewter". Belmont Metals. 2 July 2021.
- ^ Campbell (2006), p. 207.
- ^ Skeat (1893), pp. 438–439.
- ^ a b Hull (1992), p. 4.
- ^ What is pewter? – The Pewter Society
- ^ Brown (1973).
- ^ "How to Identify Pewter Marks". gauk Auctions. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015 – via archive.vn.
- ^ "Competitive Figure Skating FAQ: Rules and Regulations". www.frogsonice.com.
- ^ "Where Lead Hides" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- ^ "Pewter: What It Is, Properties, Importance, Uses, and Advantages". www.xometry.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "Handcast Aluminum Pewter – Hecho en Mexico". Another Day In Paradise. December 2000. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
- ^ "FAQs". Retrieved 2019-07-30.
- ^ "Pewter" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-07-30.
- ^ "LN2 demos: Pewter bell and spring, color change tube, LN2 cannon. | Lecture Demonstrations".
References
- Brown, David (1973). "A Roman Pewter Hoard from Appleford, Berks" (PDF). Oxoniensia. 38: 184–206.
- Campbell, Gordon (2006), The Grove encyclopedia of decorative arts (illustrated ed.), ISBN 978-0-19-518948-3
- Hull, Charles (1992), Pewter, Osprey Publishing, ISBN 978-0-7478-0152-8
- Skeat, Walter William (1893), An etymological dictionary of the English language (second ed.), Clarendon Press
External links
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- PewterBank
- . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
