Does anyone know about zinc and pewter?

[Snow-Dweller]

I'm in the middle of major refurbishment of my bar/restaurant, and had settled on the idea of a zinc barcounter. Then I learned that more often than not what one thinks is a zinc bar is in fact pewter.

The more research I do, the more confused I become. If any clever metallurgist out there can shed any light it would be much appreciated!

[Snow-Dweller]

...and here's a sample of a pewter top.

[Abdullah71601]

Why do you want zinc?

[tamiya]

Zinc is zinc (a periodic table element Zn in its own right).

Pewter is an alloy (mixture of metal elements) that's predominantly Tin (element Sn) which is a soft dull silvery metal. Trace amounts of other metals like copper are added to make it stiffer or more workable, it can be diecast or sheetrolled & welded.

Grew up around tin mines, don't think I'd use even a pewter tankard to drink from :) we just gift them as trophies haha. Pewter vase doesn't make flowers last longer & I can't disinfect it after use with strong chemicals like I do with glass/crystal.

Don't know if "sheet zinc" used for tops & splashbacks is pure zinc all the way thru, or just base steel with zinc coating. Always thought pure zinc was brittle. It's also rough & gains patina (possibly why ppl use it for decor) but not for me, I use acids & dark sauces in my cooking that'll stain it bad within a week.

[swils8610]

My uncle had pewter door knobs and hardware in a house that he had built. They were beautiful and expensive.


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[Maybelline]

I’m sorry the only thing I know about zinc is that this element is put on boats as a sacrifice to save the boat.

[kneedeep]

I would think that a pewter counter top is basically a formed alloyed tin sheet (pewter) whereas a zinc counter top is probably a zinc-coated steel sheet also formed as needed. The zinc coating may be deposited onto the steel via immersion of the sheet into a pot of molten zinc, literally hot dip galvanized, or via electrolysis as electro-galvanized. The hot dip galvanized will tend to be brighter (shinier) versus a duller, more grey appearance to the electro-galvanized which is generally also a smoother surface.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by swils8610

My uncle had pewter door knobs and hardware in a house that he had built. They were beautiful and expensive.

Like any jewellery, it's the workmanship that's expensive... tin itself is cheap.

Originally Posted by Maybelline

I’m sorry the only thing I know about zinc is that this element is put on boats as a sacrifice to save the boat.

yup, sacrificial anode. Even more common in your hot water boiler.

Originally Posted by kneedeep

I would think that a pewter counter top is basically a formed alloyed tin sheet (pewter) whereas a zinc counter top is probably a zinc-coated steel sheet also formed as needed. The zinc coating may be deposited onto the steel via immersion of the sheet into a pot of molten zinc, literally hot dip galvanized, or via electrolysis as electro-galvanized. The hot dip galvanized will tend to be brighter (shinier) versus a duller, more grey appearance to the electro-galvanized which is generally also a smoother surface.

Galvanised & zincalume sheeting... is what I'd use for my garden shed! But I'd call it "steel" not zinc.

For a high wear surface, any plating will wear thru eventually so I hope it's pure sheet all the way thru. I don't think it can be polished to mirror shine & kept that way easily, would need some protective coating - which then also wears thru.

Stick with stainless steel!

Unless it's a workshop then roughuse replaceable benchtops of mild steel I can weld to is handy. Shouldn't weld to zinc'd steel as the fumes aren't healthy.

Also for a benchtop that will see a lot of glassware, be mindful of hardness vs glass. Stemware toppling over will shatter easier on some surfaces. Can't remember which does which... just remember it being mentioned when I got involved in procuring a job lot of Spiegelau - they'll bounce back up unharmed off certain materials.

[Snow-Dweller]

Thank you for your comments..very interesting.

[meganfox17]

Why ? The World Famous Royal Selangor Pewter is located in my Country....Visit Home: Royal Selangor Pewter Official Website. Here's another one.

https://my.royalselangor.com/drinkware.html?__store=my

That's my Royal Selangor Pewter Star Wars Millenneum Falcon USB Flash drive 16GB

[tamiya]

haha MF USB, very cute... they've come a long way since going to queue for ltd edn Selangor Pewter turtle pin commemorating PATA 1986

Grew up in Selangor & Perak