For jewelry casting, manufacturers have a wide range of base metals and alloys to select from for their pieces. Most common metals that consumers are familiar with are gold, silver, platinum, and sterling silver. Yet there are many other types of alloys that may be used, including tin and zinc. When determining which alloy to…

Zinc is a silvery white metal used throughout industrial manufacturing. This metal us used to create die casts that help create parts and components for a wide range of industries such as automotive, aerospace, and other industries. Another form or zinc, called zinc oxide, may be placed into paints, inks, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and even batteries. …

When Baron Cronstedt originally extracted nickel in 1751, he intended to produce copper. That’s why he called this newly discovered metal kupfernickel, a German word that roughly translates in English to “devil’s copper.”  Even though nickel’s a very useful and popular metal, the name might almost appear ironic to some people in modern times. Though…

Industries around the world rely on base metals and alloys in the manufacturing of parts, components, and complex assemblies that will be used in their operations or as products to consumers. One such metal is zinc. As the fourth most widely used metal in the world, zinc is a versatile and adaptable material that can…

When out for a walk by a church or watching a marching band in a parade, you may have listened to the deep ringing tones of a bell or strikes against a cymbal. Such melodious vibrating sounds are created due to the specific type of metal that is used. Bell metals have been around for…

Due to advanced manufacturing processes, companies today can use a range of base metals and alloys to create the right products and components to their industries. When obtaining the metals that will be used in casting, extruding and forming processes, manufacturers can request the alloys and base metals in various sizes and shapes. Ingots, cubes,…

Zinc in used in many applications from die casting to electroplating. However, zinc, by itself, is brittle and weak. For that reason, it’s often alloyed with other metals, including titanium. When zinc is alloyed with titanium, it becomes lightweight and exceptionally strong. Here at Belmont Metals, we offer zinc titanium alloys for manufacturing processes. Properties…

Here at Belmont Metals, we offer zinc alloys, which are great for use in soldering applications, die casting and for use as a corrosion-resistant coating. Zinc is often alloyed with other types of metal in order to improve its strength and heat resistance. The Properties of Pure Forms of Zinc Pure forms of zinc are…

When it comes to casting applications, do you know which is better, white bronze or pewter? The most popular choice today and in the past has been pewter, but the use of white bronze has increased in recent years. Here at Belmont Metals, we have both white bronze and pewter that’s perfect for all your…

Craftspeople have been casting with bronze for so long that the BBC called it the “first alloy.” Introduced around 3,500 BC and typically made with mostly copper and tin, items made with bronze offered a more durable alternative to coper alone. Artifacts from brass have been dated to 500 BC. Brass may have been favored…

The beauty and rarity of gold is well-known. It’s treasured by jewelers due to its brilliant color and historians who are in search of antique coins. For everyday applications, gold is found throughout our lives in smart phones, laptops and other electronics as this metal is crafted into gold-plated circuit boards. Applications will use gold…

Babbitt metals are either lead or tin based, and the metal makes excellent bearings that are easy to pour as a DIY project. However, before you pour your bearings, you must select the correct babbitt metal in order to ensure your engine or piece of machinery operates correctly and efficiently. If you know the composition…

Semiconductors, machine bearings, and utensils are all made from varying amounts of metal alloys. Yet these items also possess one common factor: antimony. Antimony is a semi-metal element that comes in both a powdered form as well as a hard and brittle metal. Possessing a silvery, blush white appearance, this element is highly desired when…

When it comes to decorative alloys, pewter has made a comeback in recent years in the jewelry and crafting industries. This versatile alloy can be found throughout the jewelry world as plated rings, necklaces and bracelets. It is also fashioned into medals, pendants, figurines, statues, and replica coins. Many people may not actually know that…

Creating art using the casting process dates back thousands of years as the oldest surviving piece of cast art dates back to 3200 BC. Yet artists today still enjoy creating a range of decorations, statues, figurines, jewelry and other artistic pieces using this process. The procedure involves using molten metals that are poured into a…

When talking about brass and bronze, we most often think about these alloys in industrial settings, such as bronze industrial bushings and bearings, or brass valves and plumbing fixtures. Yet walk into a museum and will be surrounded by sculptures made out of bronze, or attend a classical opera and you will see brass instruments….

No matter the latest fashion trends hitting the New York and Paris runways, every model will have one thing in common: the jewelry they wear. Jewelry manufacturing is a booming business as adults and children of all ages are looking for the right jewelry to wear for everyday activities, special occasions and to have as…

Think about a corrosive substance that you deal with in your life. Most people will think about the rust on vehicles caused during the wintertime when road salt mixes with melting snow as it splashes onto the metal parts of their car. Now imagine dealing with saltwater on a daily basis when having maritime jobs…

ACS Reagent-grade Tin and Zinc for use in chemical analysis and compound creation Tin and Zinc are essential components of many alloys, but uses for these two elements extend beyond solders, die castings, galvanizing, and plating. Reagent grades of Zinc and Tin can be used in chemical analysis or other reactions. In organic chemistry, reagents…

Using lead-free pewter alloys for making jewelry helps alleviate health concerns Adding lead to an alloy can help create characteristics—such as softness and lower melting temperatures—that are useful for many applications. However, lead also is a neurotoxin that is dangerous to animals and humans. Small children are more vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure…