High tin solders are also used where lead may be a hazard, for example, in contact with food stuffs or in potable water plumbing applications. General purpose solders are used for light engineering applications, plumbing and sheet metal work. Low-tin solders are used in joining cables and in the production of automibile radiators and heat exchangers. Some solders are used to fill crevices at seams and welds in automobile bodies, thereby providing smooth joints and contours. Tin-zinc solders are used to join aluminum.
Pewter is a tin-base white metal containing antimony and lead.
Orignally pewter was defined as an alloy of tin and lead, but to avoid toxitiy and dulness of finish, lead is excluded from modern pewter. Pewter is malleable and ductile, and is easily spun or formed into intricate designs and shapes. Pewter parts donot require annealing during fabrication. Much of the costume jewellery produced today is make of pewter alloys centrifugally cast in rubber or silicone molds. Typical pewter products inculde coffee and tea services, tarys, steins, mugs, candy dishes, jewellery, bowls, plates, vases, candlesticks, compotes, decanters and cordial cups.