Odd melting point

[CPC24]

I found some old plates that say “Made In Holland”, but are far heavier than pewter. I think they’re mostly lead with some tin. Acid doesn’t make bubbles on them. I heated one up, and it melted right around 500F. It looks like solder, but melts at a higher temperature. The only alloy that melts that high has 2.5% silver. Is that possible?

[MaryB]

Silver plated maybe?

[mfraser264]

That melt point is closer to LinoType. Could also be a Cerrosafe alloy.

[kevin c]

... I heated one up, and it melted right around 500F...

How exactly did you do this? The only way I can approximate melting temperature of an unknown alloy with what I have at home is to see if a small sample will melt in a PID temp controlled "bath" of already molten alloy.

[CPC24]

I put it in the oven and slowly turned it up. It’s not perfect, but within 15-20 degrees F. I did some more research, and found out 70/30 lead/tin melts at 504F. It’s probably that or very close.

[Conditor22]

[Land Owner]

I would like to see the asterisk for "stereotype". Good one.

[bumpo628]

Here is some information from one of the stickys that might help you out.

621° = lead
563° = solder (10% tin & 90% lead)
529° = solder (20% tin & 80% lead)
504° = solder (30% tin & 70% lead)
464° = solder (40% tin & 60% lead)
428° = solder (50% tin & 50% lead)
374° = solder (60% tin & 40% lead)
362° = solder (63% tin & 37% lead) (eutectic)
365° = solder (70% tin & 30% lead)
392° = solder (80% tin & 20% lead)
421° = solder (90% tin & 10% lead)
450° = tin