Britannia Alloy is a lead-free tin-antimony-copper pewter with a nominal composition of 91.75% Sn, 8% Sb, and 0.25% Cu. Tensile strength is 5,000-8,700 psi and Brinell hardness is 18-25. Elongation is 20-40% in a 2-inch section, reflecting good ductility. The alloy can be soldered easily with soft solder and flux and accepts mechanical, chemical, organic, and electroplated finishes. Britannia alloy is the original and most widely used lead-free pewter specification — compliant with food safety regulations and the standard specification for modern pewter flatware, hollowware, and decorative objects where food contact and safety compliance are required. Forms: 5-6 lb ingots, 1/4 inch and down unpolished irregular shot, and 0.05 inch diameter solid wire in 1 lb spools.
Available Forms
5-6 Ingot, 1/4" and Down Unpolished Irregular Shot, .05" Dia. Solid Wire 1 Lb. Spools
Product Code
7921
Technical Info
Thermal Properties
Melting Point (Solidus)465°F (241°C)
Melting Point (Liquidus)515°F (268°C)
Physical Properties
Density (imperial)0.252 lbs/in³
Density (metric)6.97 g/cm³
Primary ElementsSn · Sb · Cu
Lead FreeYes
Key Features
Lead-Free Food-Safe PewterExcellent Ductility 20-40%Multiple Forms Including WireElectroplateable and Solderable
Nominal Composition
91.75% Sn
8% Sb
0.25% Cu
Frequently Asked Questions
Common technical inquiries regarding Britannia Alloy
Britannia Alloy starts to melt at 465°F (241°C), its solidus, and is completely liquid at 515°F (268°C), its liquidus. Melt and pour above 515°F so the alloy is fully molten, and let the casting cool below 465°F before opening the mold so it is solid all the way through. Because Britannia Alloy is lead-free, keep the melting pot and tools separate from any leaded metals to avoid contamination.
Britannia Alloy accepts the full range of pewter finishing processes. Mechanical finishing (tumbling, polishing, buffing with abrasive compounds) produces a bright, reflective surface comparable to silver-plate. Chemical patination with liver of sulfur or proprietary pewter antiquing solutions produces the traditional dark-pewter antique finish popular for figurines and decorative ware. Organic coatings (lacquer, powder coat) are used for colored finishes on novelty and costume items. Electroplating with copper, silver, nickel, and gold is straightforward using standard tin-base plating pretreatment — the copper addition in Britannia Alloy improves plating adhesion compared to binary tin-antimony alloys.
Yes — 1/4 inch and down Britannia shot is well suited to vacuum casting machines used in pewter figurine and jewelry production. The fine shot size melts quickly and uniformly in the machine crucible, providing consistent melt temperature and fast cycle times. Vacuum casting ensures complete fill of thin sections and fine surface detail in investment molds — the vacuum draws the alloy into features that gravity casting at these temperatures may not fill completely. For investment casting of Britannia, use standard pewter investment (phosphate or gypsum-bound at low firing temperature — below 400°F) and pour above 515°F with the flask at 150-200°F.
Lead-free Britannia pewter alloy for spin cast molds. Solidus 435-463F, liquidus 478-490F. Used for fashion jewelry with thin cross sections or fine filigree.
High-purity tin-based lead-free pewter, less than 50 ppm lead. Solidus 515-635F, liquidus 465-485F. Used for spin cast rubber or silicone molds with thick cross sections.
