What is Pot Metal?
Technically, I don t know. Some say it is the scraps left over from other metals and thrown into a large pot heated up to its melting point and then poured into a form. A dictionary describes it as “Mainly a mixture of various light-colored alloys, especially pewter, containing much lead or tin. These metals are very soft and melt at a low temperature.” Also, other metals that are strong enough to be braised or welded, usually need extra filling to recreate the part damaged in the weld or braise. In the case of these molded metals, once broken, the metal has stretched, around the edges of the break, so there is uneveness to the joint. Lamps are a typical example of the use of this type of metal. Frequently, a protruding part gets broken. When the broken piece is a functional part, then strength becomes a main factor. How do you create a structurally sound repair? Ceramic: A ceramic (meaning any fired clay, which could be pottery, that has a low firing point, to English china, which has
Pot metal is a slang term which is used to refer to cheap metal alloys with a low melting point. The low melting point makes pot metal very easy to cast, but the generally low quality can cause problems during casting and at a later date. Because there is no formal definition of pot metal, it can be hard to determine its contents. Some common metals included in pot metal alloys include: zinc, lead, copper, tin, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, and cadmium, among others. The mixed contents of pot metal make it highly unpredictable, which can be a problem for people who are trying to create specific items. It has a tendency to become very soft and porous, and over time, it is subject to deformity. Pot metal also tends to break or bend easily, making it unsuitable for many tasks, and because some of the metals commonly included are toxic, pot metal can also be hazardous to human health. Rapid and easy casting is the primary advantage to pot metal. No sophisticated foundry tools are needed,
Sources – Caswell Inc. Tips & Techniques – Internal Repair technique Miscellaneous: – convert your vise into metal shear _________________________ Feature Article_______________________ Restoring & Preserving Bronze Plaques & Memorials Since Im involved with metal care on a daily basis, I cant help but notice the condition of public metal objects. For many years I have been troubled by the condition of bronze historic markers, plaques and memorials. I keep telling myself that something should be done about this. Every year thousands of new plaques and memorials are carefully selected, installed and dedicated, with the expectation that they will serve as a permanent reminder for many generations. But, due to years of neglect, pollution, vandalism and just exposure to the weather, the majority of them have been muted by becoming unreadable. This is unfortunate because the problem could have been prevented, or at least significantly reduced, with some simple steps, using inexpensive mater
