Photoengravers plate ?

[shaune509]

I have a few pieces of 'Micro-metal' deep etch photoengravers plate and need to find out its compasition. It is fairly hard and the back seems to be copper coated[plated], about 3/32 thick sheet. Is it a mono or lino type or other?
shaune509

[shaune509]

No one has any idea?
shaune509

[clodhopper]

Read your post early on but do not know what it's made of.
You can always put in the pot and see if you can melt it.
If you can melt it just pour some in a mould and compare the weight of the bullet with another bullet from the same mold of know alloy.
Antimoney and tin are both lighter than lead.

[bumpo628]

I don't have a hardness tester, but I use a spring loaded punch to get a relative idea of the hardness. Hit the mystery lead, pure lead and some cast boolits with the punch and compare the indentation.

[Ilwil]

I don't know what they are made of, but I am certain they are not made of a lead alloy. Many years ago, I ran the linotype pot for a large daily paper. Photo engraved plate never went into the pot. They were taken away and recycled separately.

[fryboy]

more than likely litho plate ...i asked yet no one could/did tell me ...it's a interesting alloy but not sure what it's made of it seems to have some aluminum in it as well as a couple other things , it will melt but at a higher temp and it doesnt blend with lead at my house for ....heck

[shaune509]

Thanks for the replies. Flyboy thanks as you may be correct that it is more than litho alloy. The plates were used to print plastic veggy bags from '67-'75.
shaune509