What is Pewter? A Tin-Based Metal Alloy! What is Pewter? Yes, what IS pewter? That was my first question when my interest in pewter started. Well, pewter is a metal alloy. That means it's a mixture of two or more metals. Tin is the major component of pewter at more than 90% and the rest is antimony, copper, and sometimes bismuth. Tin is the fourth most expensive metal in common use behind platinum, gold and silver. But don't be misled by the ranking. It's price is very far below silver. So why must pewter contain antimony and copper? Well, tin is a pretty soft metal and would easily deform even at normal temperatures, which makes it difficult to work with. So pewterers add antimony and copper to make it harder. Tin also melts at a rather low 232°C (450°F). Just to show you how low that melting point is, some plastics like polystyrene and ABS are actually processed at about this temperature. Anyhow, once alloyed with antimony and copper, the resulting pewter melts at a higher 250°C (482°F).

Lead used to be the main hardener in pewter before it was replaced by antimony. Modern pewterers don't use it anymore (or very little of it) since it can cause lead poisoning. Long term exposure to lead, for example in using pewter plates and mugs, can result in brain disorder especially in children. The use of lead has been banned in just about anything except in areas where a replacement cannot be found. Are there differences between modern lead-free pewter and the poisonous (ok, that's a little harsh) old ones? Yes, there are. First of all, it's the 'look'. Newly-made pewter containing lead tends to have a bluish tint. This fades away as the pewter ages and it becomes a darker silvery-grey in color. That's due to tarnish (oxidation), and the main culprit is lead which gets oxidised pretty easily. Modern pewter tarnishes more slowly and is also more easily cleaned. Another feature of old pewter is the weight. Because lead has a much higher density than tin, lead-containing pewter is heavier. The more lead is added, the heavier it gets.

For your comparison, lead has a density of 11.34 g/cm3 while tin's is only at 7.29 g/cm3. While looking for more pewter information, I came across 'Britannia metal'. This in fact IS the modern lead-free pewter as we know it. Britannia metal (or 'white metal') first emerged in England in the latter part of the 18th century. This alloy can be rolled into sheets which are later cut and shaped, even when they're cool. Now that you know what is pewter, why not find out a little about its history? Pewter Information Help I'm an American! What is Pewter? Throughout it's long history pewter has had an almost infinite variety of compositions, even today there are still numerous varieties produced. Through time the only common factor is a relatively high tin content which is hardened by additions of other elements. The main properties of tin that are exploited by pewter are the low melting point, good casting properties and appearance, pure tin is too soft to be of use. Many European languages make no distinction between pewter and tin for example in French �tain is the same word for both.

This may appear strange and certainly makes for some interesting conversations, it's a bit like having the same word for bronze and copper, but equally given the large range of compositions and the factor that tin is the main ingredient you can see the logic. Pewter's low melting point has always made it ideal for working with minimal equipment, ideal for the small workshop and great for creativity. If it all goes wrong its very easy to melt it down and start again. Today newly manufactured pewter should be a lead free alloy usually being hardened with additions of antimony and copper, containing over 90% tin. Other elements such as silver and bismuth are sometimes used. In the past pewter often contained lead but as awareness has grown into the harmful effects of lead it should now have been eliminated. Modern pewter can be polished to a bright silver like finish or if preferred chemical darkeners can be used to simulate the patinas associated with old pewter. We manufacture a number of pewter compositions suitable for a variety of types of casting and objects. Most of the pewter we supply is destined to be cast into vulcanised rubber moulds which are spun so that centrifugal force helps to fill the mould cavity and eject any air.

We supply a variety of compositions for this type of casting which are selected to suit the type of items being cast. The Main Constituents of Modern Lead Free Pewter Tin: Sn The major constituent of all pewters. Pure tin is soft which is why it needs to be mixed with other metals. Usually contains between 90 and 98% Antimony: Sb Improves the casting qualities and has a considerable hardening effect. Modern pewters generally contain between 0.5 and 8 % Copper: Cu Like antimony copper improves the casting qualities has a slight hardening effect and helps retain the antimony in the molten pewter, often present between 0.25 and 2.5% Pewter is made by melting the tin in a cast iron melting pot, the calculated weight (percentages are by weight) of copper is added to the molten tin, being heavier it sinks into the melt. Copper dissolves in molten tin at relatively low temperatures once dissolved the antimony is added again this dissolves easily without the melt going much above 400C. After cooling and thorough stirring the metal is poured into ingot moulds.

Sheet pewter is made by casting billets which are scalped off then progressively reduced in thickness by passing through rollers. Pewter sheet is a versatile material that can be used to construct all manner items such as hip flasks and tankards, pewter sheet can also be spun to make wonderful hollow ware designs. There is some snobbery between the traditional hand cast items and what is regarded as possibly a lower quality item constructed from sheet but what really matters is the final product rather than how it has been made. Although we don't manufacture pewter sheet we do produce lead free solder s suitable for jointing pewter sheet in applications involving food and drink. Pewter History Pewter History By Beth Maxwell Boyle, BFA Pewter is a wonderful metal with a long history. The origin of the word Pewter is not fully known, but it is probably an English modification of the word spelter. It was adopted with only slight variation by most of the continental European nations. At an early period Europeans became very fond of pewter wares. The word pewter became peauter in Dutch, peutre, peautre or piautre in French, peltro in Italian and peltre in Spanish.

Roman pewter, the oldest known, which has been uncovered at various sites in England and elsewhere, was composed of tin and lead alone. Occasional traces of iron are believed to be accidental. Some people think of Pewter as a cheap substitute for Sterling silver but this it is not. Pewter is a splendid metal with its own merits and qualities that make it a fine precious metal for both decorative and practical applications. Pewter historically was an alloy of *tin and lead (up to 50% Pb). It became popular in kitchen ware such as plates, mugs, and utensils. By the mid-1700s the health hazards and tarnishing drawbacks of leaded pewter helped popularize Britannia metal a non-leaded form of pewter. Britannia metal consists of* tin, *antimony, and *copper. Pewter is a general name used to denote a number of alloys of various metals in diverse proportions, the sole common feature of which lies in the fact that tin is always the chief constituent. Tin (Sn) is a relatively soft and ductile metal with a silvery white color.

It has a density of 7.29 grams per cubic centimeter, a low melting point of 231.88° C (449.38° F), and a high boiling point of 2,625° C (4,757° F). Most people think of tin cans when they hear the word tin and that makes them think "Cheap". Tin cans were in fact made from iron that was dipped in tin to prevent rusting. Today's "Tin foil" is actually made of aluminum! Pewter used for food vessels must be lead free and contain 92% tin, 6.7% antimony, and 1.2 % copper as required by both U.S. Government regulations and the APG (American Pewter Guild). Tin is in fact a precious and expensive metal. Tin has been mined and used to make objects both decorative and utilitarian for over 3000 years. It's the 4th most precious metal in common usage after platinum, gold and silver. Modern pewter contains about 92% tin and added to this are small amounts of antimony, copper or bismuth to give additional strength.

Pewter was probably first made in the Bronze Age (between 2000 and 500 BC). Pewter and bronze are related alloys; pewter is mostly tin, with a small amount of copper (and other ingredients), while bronze is an alloy made up primarily of copper, with a small amount of tin. It has been speculated by historians that pewter was invented when the quantities of metal in the alloy were reversed, whether this was by accident or by design is impossible to tell! By the middle ages the use of pewter in Europe was widespread. Around the 12th. century, pewter was only within the reach of the wealthy, where it was to be found on the tables of castle halls and in the houses of rich merchants and churchmen. Later its use spread into taverns and cottages. It was mainly used for functional items like plates and cutlery, but pewterers also made small decorations and toys, referred to as "trifle". Somewhere around the 15th century, craftsmen in England began forging tin, that was mined locally in Cornwall, England, into tankards, plates and candlesticks.

Pewter later became a common replacement for household items made of clay, leather and wood. The growth of the pewter industry in Europe at this time led to the establishment of guilds, which regulated the quality of work produced by pewterers. "The Worshipful Company of Pewterers" was established in England in 1348 for this purpose. Towards the end of the 18th century however, the mass production of good quality pottery had a dramatic effect on the market for utilitarian pewterware, forcing many pewterers out of business. Despite this by the 1930's, England became world renown for fine pewter craftsmanship, which was the result of their high production and design standards, established guidelines and rigorous testing procedures. High quality pewter items are made today in the USA that rival those made in the UK. Today pewter items are enjoying an enormous revival, both consumer and craftsman have rediscovered the glowing beauty and practical function of fine pewter. Around the globe pewter is enjoying a Renaissance that grows each year. Here at The Rams Horn Studio we take great pleasure in presenting the very finest pewter castings for sale. All our pewter is hand poured by master jeweler, James Boyle.

Our designs are unique and beautiful and perfect for gifts and trophies. Our line continues to grow and our pewter is now available in Australia, the UK, and the USA. For more information on both wholesale and retail pewter from The Rams Horn Studio, follow the links on this page to our products available on Line. ALL OUR PEWTER IS LEAD FREE! James E. Boyle, BFA &Beth Maxwell Boyle, BFA Thank you for your interest in our fine products. We look forward to doing business with you. All of our artwork is made right here in Western, NY. Our original models are created by carving the model in wax and then casting the design in silver. A high heat rubber mold for spin casting is made from that silver model. To learn more about lost wax casting follow the links to the Lost Wax Casting Page . Our pewter jewelry is poured by hand by James Edward Boyle in fine, lead free, jeweler's pewter that is burnished and antiqued by hand in our studio. Our jewelry is signed and can be considered an investment in Fine Art. We Can produce custom designs for your business or organization using your design or we can design for you. Please write for a price quote.

Let James or Beth design that very special award or project for you. All our fine pewter is produced by spin casting. If you are not familiar with this process, models are carved by hand of wax or wood. These small patterns or originals are layed out on a disc of uncured silicone to create casting cavities. When cured, this rubber mold is spun in a centrifuge while pewter is poured into the center of the mold. Silicone rubber molds can be cycled as many as 50-60 times per hour, for hundreds of cycles. Therefore, a 20 cavity mold can produce 1000 components per hour if small-to-medium production runs are needed. Resulting parts have excellent detail and representative surface finish of the master pattern. Spin-Casting uses adjustable centrifugal force to inject molted metal into a vulcanized silicone rubber cylindrical mold under pressure, completely filling the mold cavities. Venting systems eliminate air pockets and voids to produce beautiful, high quality castings with virtually identical strength, surface finish and dimensional characteristics as those produced by any other processes, at greatly reduced cost and lead times.

The amazing thing about spin casting is that, since pewter melts around 600 degrees or even lower, it doesn't require the labor intensive, mold investment that lost wax casting requires. Using centrifugal force, we simply pour molten metal directly into high temperature rubber molds spinning at high speed and 15 minutes later, we release a cast tree ready for cut-off & finishing. Each piece is then inspected and hand finished by Beth and Jim. Pewter ware was originally fashioned in two ways, by hammering or by casting, and the workers in each were strictly differentiated, the former, who worked in fine pewter, being known as Sadware men, the latter who used ï¿½leyï¿½ as Hollow-ware men. A third class, known as Triflers, from the alloy they were limited to, probably at first only manufactured such small articles of domestic use or ornament as did not definitely fall under either of the other headings, but from an authorized list of wares, drawn up by a committee of Trillers in 1612, it is clear that the barrier between them and the Hollowware men had been largely broken down.

Another method of working pewter which seems to have been introduced later, and never followed to any great extent, was spinning, by which the vessel was shaped in a mold on a wheel by the mere pressure of a blunt tool, the softness of the metal allowing it to flow sufficiently for this purpose. Today pewter spinning is employed by many major craftsman and manufacturers. Pewter first appears in western recorded history in 1074, when a synod at Rouer permitted its use as a substitute for gold or silver in church vessels a concession accepted also at Winchester two years later, again withdrawn in 1175, but once more adopted some twenty years after. The records of its domestic use commence with caldrons employed for boiling the meat at the coronation of Edward I. in 1274, though we gather that the trade was even then flourishing in Paris and Bruges, during the following century it extended to Augsburg, Nuremberg, Poitiers, Moos and other continental centres.

Confined at first to the more wealthy classes, we can trace the use of pewter as time goes on its extension lower and lower in the social scale, until at the end of the 17th century its use was almost universal. From then on its vogue steadily declined when the growing cheapness of glass and chinaware and the invention of more showy metals brought upon it by degrees the fatal stigma of vulgarity. CELTIC PEWTER LINE Throughout it's long history pewter has had an almost infinite variety of compositions, even today there are still numerous varieties produced. The only common factor is a relatively high tin content which is hardened by additions of other elements. In most countries newly manufactured pewter is a lead free alloy usually being hardened with additions of antimony and copper, containing over 90% tin. Other elements such as silver and bismuth are sometimes used in. In the past pewter often contained lead but as awareness has grown into the harmful effects of lead it has been eliminated. Modern pewter can be polished to a bright silver like finish or if preferred chemical darkeners can be used to simulate the patinas associated with old pewter.

At the Rams Horn most of our pewter is burnished after being antiqued to bring out the detail. Our customers mostly prefer this finish to a high shine or to a brushed finish. The pins and other findings are all soldered by hand on our products by James E. Boyle. Our Pewter jewelry is of the highest quality and is meant to last for many years. Tin *Tin is the fourth most precious metal in the world and was used by man as early as The Bronze Age. Tin very rarely occurs uncombined in nature. The dioxide, which occurs as cassiterite, or tinstone, is the only ore of commercial importance and is found, in such places as China, Brazil, Bolivia, Indonesia, and Peru. Tin has a relatively low melting point of 450 degrees and alloys well with other metals. It will increase the hardness of an alloy and raise its working temperature. Other characteristics of tin are its softness, its malleability and its high fluidity when molten. Antimony *Antimony has been known since the days of ancient Egypt and Rome.

It rarely occurs free in nature but its ores are widely found, principally in such places as China, South Africa, Bolivia, Peru and the United States. Antimony is a metalloid element found in mined deposits. It is useful in alloys because it improves its capacity to reproduce detail and it hardens soft metals such as tin. Copper *Copper was one of the first known metals to humans and was probably mined in the free state as long ago as the 5th century B.C. Much of the world's copper now comes from the mountain ranges extending from Alaska to the tip of South America. Copper increases the hardness of an alloy and raises its working temperature. Difference Between Pewter and Silver | Pewter vs Silver Home / Science & Nature / Nature / Universe / Earth / Difference Between Pewter and Silver Difference Between Pewter and Silver Posted on by admin Last updated on: November 24, 2015 Pewter vs Silver At a glance the difference between pewter and silver is a little difficult to identify as both look similar. One should examine this difference carefully. Therefore, this article discusses these two metals, which are mostly used in commercial industries for several uses.

Silver and Pewter both have a great history, has been used since ancient days. Here we discuss their history, properties, natural abundance and their uses in detail. These metals share many differences more than the similarities. This articles mostly focuses on their differences and their different uses in the industry. What is Silver? Silver is a naturally available, rare chemical element. It is a transition metal (Atomic number 47) having the electron configuration of [Kr] 5s1 4d10. The chemical name (Ag) “Argentum” is a Latin word, meaning “silver”. Pure silver has a gleaming metallic luster. Silver is a commercially valuable and expensive metal. It has so many commercial uses. Pure silver is the best electrical and thermal conductor among the other metals. Silver is a precious metal, because it is not very abundant on the earth crust. Silver metal is found in ores and it can be found in both pure and impure form. It is very attractive and chemically not very reactive. These properties make silver metal in using for jewels, coins and art. Silver has a great history, because the man used it for thousands of years. The hardness of silver is slightly higher than that of gold.

Silver does not react with the air and water and it shows the lowest contact resistance of all metals. It discolors when exposed to ozone (O3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), or air containing sulfur. What is Pewter? Pewter is a metal having 90% to 98% of tin in its composition. In addition to tin, pewter contains copper , antimony, bismuth and lead. Those substances are added to modify its properties. For example, hardness of pewter is very low and copper and antimony increases the property of hardness. The composition of pewter varies depending on the usage. The history of this metal runs back to the beginning of the Bronze Age. The earliest known item made by pewter belongs to the period of 1580 – 1350 BC. It is a flask that was found in a grave at Abydos in Egypt. What is the difference between Pewter and Silver? • Silver is a pure metal in the periodic table , and it is often found as a free element in nature. Pewter is an alloy, its composition varies depending on the type of the usage.

• Silver has a relatively high melting point; melting point of silver is 961.93°C and its boiling point is 2212 °C. • Pewter has a very low melting point around 170 0C to 232 0C. Its melting point changes as the composition varies. • Silver alloy has many uses: Sterling silver (Silver: Copper = 92.5: 7.5) used to make jewels and silverware. Silver is used in photography, dental equipment, batteries, mirrors, solder and electrical contacts. There are so many industries used silver in their productions. Pewter is used to make tableware (plates, mugs, jugs, spoons, dishes and basins) and jewels during ancient days. • Silver has 38 known isotopes and pewter does not have isotopes. Summary: Pewter vs Silver Silver and Pewter are both metals and both of these metals have commercial uses. Silver is a naturally occurring free element and pewter is an alloy. The main element in pewter’s composition is tin; more than 90% of its composition is tin and copper, antimony, bismuth and lead are the rest.

Silver is used as an alloy and as a pure metal. Both silver and pewter had been used for thousands of years by the human. Silver is considered as a precious metal since its abundance on the earth is low. Pewter - definition of pewter by The Free Dictionary Pewter - definition of pewter by The Free Dictionary (pyo͞o′tər) n. 1. Any of numerous silver-gray alloys of tin with various amounts of antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, used widely for fine kitchen utensils and tableware. 2. Pewter articles considered as a group. [Middle English pewtre, from Old French peutre, from Vulgar Latin *piltrum; perhaps akin to spelter .] pew′ter adj. n 1. (Metallurgy) a. any of various alloys containing tin (80–90 per cent), lead (10–20 per cent), and sometimes small amounts of other metals, such as copper and antimony b. (as modifier): pewter ware; a pewter tankard. 2. (Colours) b. (as adjective): pewter tights. 3.

(Cookery) plate or kitchen utensils made from pewter [C14: from Old French peaultre, of obscure origin; related to Old Provençal peltre pewter] ˈpewterer n (ˈpyu tər) n. 1. any of various alloys in which tin is the chief constituent, orig. one of tin and lead. 2. utensils and vessels made of pewter. adj. 3. consisting or made of pewter. [1325–75; Middle English pewtre < Middle French peutre < Vulgar Latin *piltrum; perhaps akin to spelter ] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: 1.

pewter - any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead) alloy , metal - a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten; "brass is an alloy of zinc and copper" Translations سَبِيكَةُ الْبِيُوتِر سَبيكَة من القَصْدير والرَّصاص cín kalay ve kurşun alaşımı tutya hợp kim thiếc n (= alloy) → Zinn nt; (= vessel) → Zinnbecher m; (= articles) → Zinn (geschirr) nt pewter pewter (ˈpjuːtə) noun, adjective (of) a metal made by mixing tin and lead. That mug is (made of) pewter; a pewter mug. edeltin سَبيكَة من القَصْدير والرَّصاص пютър estanho cín(ový) das Hartzinn, Zinn-...

tin; tin- κράμα από κασσίτερο και μόλυβδο peltre tinasulam مسوار tina étain נֶתֶך בְּדִיל וְעוֹפֶרֶת जस्ता kositar ónötvözet timah pjátur peltro しろめ 백랍(白蠟), 땝납 alavas; alavinis alva; alvas- piuter tin tinn stop cyny z ołowiem مفرغ (دقلعى اومسوتر كيب): دمفرغه جوړشوى لوښى estanho (de) cositor сплав олова со свинцом cín; cínový kositer legura kalaja i olova tenn โลหะผสมที่มีดีบุกเป็นหลัก kalay ve kurşun alaşımı 白蠟(錫與鉛合金) сплав олова зі свинцем; олов'

яний ايک دھات hợp kim thiếc 白蜡（锡铅合金） pewter Pewter | Define Pewter at Dictionary.com pewter noun 1.

any of various alloys in which tin is the chief constituent, originally one of tin and lead. 2. a container or utensil made of such an alloy. 3. a revival of interest in pewter. 4. consisting or made of pewter: a pewter mug. 1325-75; Middle English pewtre < Middle French peutre < Vulgar Latin *piltrum; perhaps akin to spelter Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for pewter Expand Contemporary Examples Somehow the heir was pictured walking out of the Golden Bee pub holding a pewter ale mug. The Reinvention of Prince Harry: Why His U.S. Visit Is a Huge Success Tom Sykes May 14, 2013 Historical Examples Here an appetizing supper had been laid ready upon the table and a couple of tallow candles burned in pewter sconces. Roundabout Papers William Makepeace Thackeray pewter had been run around the upper part of them, so that "sinkers" were not required. The Loyalist James Francis Barrett Most of these were made of pewter or lead, but some have been found of silver gilt, latten, and tin. English Villages P. H.

Ditchfield The table in the center was laid with a snowy white cloth, on it the pewter candlesticks shone like antique silver. British Dictionary definitions for pewter Expand noun 1. any of various alloys containing tin (80–90 per cent), lead (10–20 per cent), and sometimes small amounts of other metals, such as copper and antimony (as modifier): pewter ware, a pewter tankard 2. plate or kitchen utensils made from pewter Derived Forms C14: from Old French peaultre, of obscure origin; related to Old Provençal peltre pewter Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for pewter Expand n.

early 14c., "any of various alloys having tin as their main constituent" (the usual form is one part lead to four parts tin), from Old French peautre (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *peltrum "pewter" (source of Spanish peltre, Italian peltro), of uncertain origin. Related: Pewterer. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Why is pewter great for tankards? ABOUT OUR PEWTER TANKARDS What is pewter? Many of the cups in our collection are made from pewter. Pewter is a metal alloy mostly made from tin, with the remainder usually a mixture of copper, antimony, bismuth, and (sometimes) silver. Historically lead was used but nowadays that’s not considered a good idea (actually lead is illegal in drinkware sold in the USA). Tin is an amazing metal in lots of ways, and is the fourth most expensive precious metal in common use after platinum, gold, and silver. It can be worked in a lot of ways and you can get a variety of really attractive finishes.

But the trouble is that it’s quite soft in its pure form and wouldn’t make a great cup. That’s where pewter comes in. Mix small amounts of copper and antimony into the tin and it gets much stronger and more durable, and becomes a very practical material for drinkware. All of our pewter is completely lead-free, and sourced from highly reputable suppliers in western countries. All of our pewter is at least 92% tin, with the remainder being about 0.5% copper and about 7.5% antimony. Is pewter safe? Modern pewter from a western country is safe. Don’t just take our word for it. The FDA has regulations for ‘food contact surfaces’ (and seemingly everything else) and has nothing to object to in modern pewter. The FDA is ok with pewter containing less than 0.05% lead (our pewter is lead-free), see FDA regulation 4-101.13(B) . Let’s look at the three metals that go into pewter individually.

After all, treat your pewter tankard properly and it will last for many many years, but in the unlikely event that it did dissolve into your beer in large enough quantities (it won’t), it’s the tin, copper, and antimony that you would swallow with your beer. Tin. Tin has been used for food and drink containers for centuries. Since 1812 it has been used to coat the inside of steel cans for food storage (there are often other coatings used nowadays), and that’s because tin has to be in contact with food for a LONG time before the food becomes dangerous. Unless you leave your beer in your tankard for a few weeks before drinking it you shouldn’t have any trouble (and the beer will taste bad by then anyway whatever cup it’s in). In addition, tin has no known role in the bodies of humans or animals, and isn’t easily absorbed. Copper. Your body needs copper – it’s one of over 20 dietary minerals necessary to human life. The human body is also capable of getting rid of moderate excess copper, when necessary.

However, the main point to make about copper is that your beer (almost certainly) came into contact with a lot more copper during the brewing process than it will in your tankard. Antimony. Antimony is not harmful as a metal, and is resistant to attack by acids. It’s not great to inhale (few metals are), but we don’t recommend you do that anyway. Note that antique pewter or, occasionally cheaper eastern pewter, may contain lead. This tends to discolor over time to a grey-blue color. Over time drinking from a tankard made of leaded pewter can be very bad for your health, and we agree with the FDA that this is a bad idea. All of our pewter is completely lead-free. Also, for the avoidance of doubt, like most metals pewter is NOT safe in microwave ovens (there is a risk of fire). We recommend drinking cold drinks only from our cups, because pewter conducts heat and burnt lips hurt. So why is pewter so great for tankards? Pewter is the traditional choice. It’s been used for tankards and steins since the middle ages.

Even when pewter was replaced by porcelain for plates and most cups in the 18th century, people kept their tankards and there are many pubs in Europe where ‘regulars’ will have their own pewter tankard kept behind the bar. Pewter makes beautiful cups . Traditionally known as ‘poor man’s silver’, or ‘the white metal’, it can be finished in a variety of different ways and catches the light in a way that is matched only by real silver. And pewter doesn’t tarnish like silver does. Pewter is practical. Pewter is durable, safe with beer (see above), easy to clean, and (so long as you get modern lead-free pewter like ours) won’t tarnish over time. Why is pewter better than stainless steel? Yes, we know. You can find any number of stainless steel tankards online, and they cost is a lot less than pewter. So why use pewter? Well, you could use stainless steel. It’s tougher than pewter and, so long as the surface isn’t scratched, won’t corrode in beer. We don’t think it looks as good but that’s subjective.

However, the performance of a stainless steel tankard depends on what’s known as the ‘passive surface’ remaining intact, and having access to oxygen (in the air). If stainless steel is scratched, perhaps during cleaning, then it will rust. If any residue remains stuck to a stainless steel tankard this will prevent oxygen getting to the passive layer and will cause pitting underneath. Crevices in the stainless steel, such as at a join, may corrode due to lack of oxygen. Pewter is different. Your pewter’s resistance to corrosion is not dependant on a thin surface layer in the same way as stainless steel, and scratches and dents accrued over years of enjoyment won’t cause your pewter to rust. Plus, as stated above pewter is safe, practical, attractive, and it’s the traditional choice. Why not find out how much fun your own pewter tankard can be? Where can I buy a modern pewter tankard? Right here in our store of course! We stock a small but growing range of pewter tankards and beer mugs, all of which are made using modern lead-free pewter, and all of which are handmade by very highly skilled craftesmen (and women).

If you're not convinced, why not take a look at our gallery ? Our company is focussed on bringing you the best at a great price, so why not check us out and see what we have? What Is Pewter | Properties of Pewter Finest British Pewter Pewter If you’ve ever wanted to know more about Pewter, then it’s reasonable to assume you have a fairly small social circle. Fortunately, so does Stephen. In fact, he has none at all. All that loneliness gives him time to prepare Pewter facts for you. 43AD The year the Romans invaded Britain, bringing pewter with them. Pewter is commonly found in churches throughout the United Kingdom Some sporting events award a pewter medal for a 4th place finish Pewter was the most popular material for tableware until porcelain The earliest piece of pewter was discovered in an Egyptian tomb from around 1450 BC Like tea, Pewter comes in many flavours, and like tea there is only one you want. English. English 2% Copper 6% Antinomy 92% Tin What is English Pewter? English Pewter has come to represent a strictly-controlled alloy.

The typical standard for present-day English Pewter is around 92% tin, 6% antimony and 2% Copper. How is Pewter Manipulated? Pewter can be modelled in a number of ways to produce the desired form. finest british pewter | Stamping Stamping pewter has two major uses in our manufacturing processes. Firstly pewter that has been rolled from an ingot into a sheet can be stamped by a power press to cut out shapes from the sheet. Presses can also be adapted to hold tools for creating embossed patterns on the pewter or to put a company touch mark onto the sheet. We, however prefer to use the traditional method and use a touch mark and a hammer to place our A.E. Williams mark onto our pewter. Cast in Moulds Casting in moulds is the oldest and most traditional way of producing pewter. Molten pewter is poured into the moulds and they're either spun at high speeds or left to let gravity ensure the pewter is evenly spread. Once the metal has cooled the mould is removed and the item is ready to be finished.

Rolling Rolling is used to create sheets of pewter ready for spinning, thicker sheets of metal are passed through pairs of rollers to make it thinner and easier to work with. By controlling the thickness of the sheet we can also put dips or bends in the sheet which are commonly required in metalwork for furniture or construction. Rollers can also have a pattern added to them, so that when we roll the metal the pattern is transferred to the sheet. Spun on a Lathe Spinning transforms a disc or tube of pewter into a hollow vessel, making it perfect for creating tankards and bowls. A formed block is put on the lathe, and the pewter is clamped against it. As the lathe rotates a craftsman applies a tool to work the pewter around the block, creating the desired shape. Repousse Repousse is a great technique for achieving small relief work design into thin sheets of pewter. Repousse is French for “pushed up”. Working on the reverse of the metal we hammer or shape using various tools to create a relief on the other side. Once the desired shape has been formed, the hollow can be filled with a filler such as resin so that the pewter does not collapse in on itself.

Repousse is great for creating relief work that stands out. 1348 The earliest record of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers. A.E. Williams remain members of the guild to this day. Lead is less common in pewter these days, but it can still be found in some of the cheaper grades. Lead Content %

Question: What is the main metal in pewter?
Answer: Tin