What is pewter? Why is pewter better than stainless steel?

With a bright white color like silver, pewter is a rare material to create a high level of artwork. However, the produce to create products made from pewter is not only an arduous but also a difficult process. Today, let follow this article of Viknews.com to answer the question of what is pewter and why is pewter better than stainless steel. Hope that you will know more interesting knowledge about it after reading.

What is pewter?

[caption id="attachment_1154" align="alignnone" width="1067"] The 1 pound-pewter bar[/caption]

Pewter is a metal alloy mostly made from tin, with the remainder usually a mixture of copper, antimony, bismuth, and (sometimes) silver. 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.

Pewter is a relatively soft metal which consists mainly share of Tin with a small amount of Copper which hardens the metal. Pewter used to contain Lead but since 1974 is now Lead-free, what we now call 'modern pewter' meaning it is safe to use with food and drink. Pewter has a low melting temperature and is a relatively soft metal. It is used to represent the 10th wedding anniversary due to its high tin content.

The history of pewter

[caption id="attachment_1156" align="alignnone" width="800"] A Pewter Antique Urn in 19th century[/caption]

Pewter's color is white like silver and very bright when looking in natural light. Because of its low-temperature flexibility, pewter is now a popular material for making home-friendly products. However, the process of understanding and creating this material is an arduous and difficult process to create preeminent features today.

The first time Pewter was used was around the beginning of the Bronze Age in the Near East. The first pieces of the tin alloy were found from an Egyptian tomb from 1450 BC. Pewter was used in the ancient Egyptian world and later Roman and was widely used in Europe from the Middle Ages until various developments in ceramics and glass During the 18th and 19th centuries, however, the composition of this tin alloy was not controlled until the 12th century by towns in France. In the 15th century, pewter manufacturing companies controlled the tin alloy components in the UK and developed its properties to be as superior as they are today.

Why is pewter better than stainless steel?

You can find a large number of stainless steel product online, and their cost is a lot less than pewter. So why should we use pewter products? 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. But Viksnew.com 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).

[caption id="attachment_1157" align="alignnone" width="806"] A tankard made from Pewter[/caption]

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.

Pewter’s different uses through the years

Because its main component is tin, it’s easy to assume that pewter is cheap. You might associate it with inexpensive and mundane things like tin cans and tin foil. But pewter is actually a useful metal alloy that has been used in various ways throughout history. Going as far back as the Bronze Age, pewter has been used to craft useful objects. And even today, it can be found in all kinds of items. Here are some examples of pewter’s uses.

For religious purposes

In the 11th century in Europe, pewter was very expensive. The only ones who could afford it were a handful of wealthy people and priests. It was used for making church vessels like chalice cups, candlesticks and patena saucer for holding the host bread. Because of its high cost and use in special ceremonies, pewter items were considered status symbols.

[caption id="attachment_1155" align="alignnone" width="800"] The maxican Pewter Hand Sculpture[/caption]

For tableware and drinkware

By the 18th century, the price of this metal alloy fell and it was widely used by normal middle class folk as well. Pewter was used to make eating and drinking utensils like spoons, forks, plates, cups and cutlery. It was used to make liquid containers such as mugs, teapots, saucepans and bowls. Pewter was a popular choice for making tankards and was a common sight in taverns. The wealthy and the masses alike enjoyed their meals with pewter tableware. Mass production through the industrial revolution helped in making it more accessible to commoners.

Read more: What is promise ring? Interesting things that you should know.

Đọc nguyên bài viết tại : What is pewter? Why is pewter better than stainless steel?

from Viknews.com English - Feed https://ift.tt/2GL5QTB
via IFTTT