White metal

[Bill A]

Collectors label a wide range of badges as white metal. But, what exactly is the white metal used in badge manufacture? Zinc, tin, antimony, etc? What proportions?
A second question, some white metal badges appear cast while others are struck. This suggests a different white metal alloy was used?

[GriffMJ]

Bill

This question has been raised before (some years ago)..... the proportions were laid out in the thread..... I will have a dig to see if I can find it for you

I think this is the one? http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...n+silver+metal

[altcar73]

I don't know what proportions of metal compounds are supposed to be mixed to produce "white metal". However, it would appear that there may not be any hard and fast rule as to its composition. I say that because if you examine a number of different badges which fall into the white metal sphere you will find that the actual colour of the metal differs, often considerably. I would suggest that a uniform compound composition would (in theory) produce a uniform colour and that is certainly not the case. As an aside, in many older specification documents produced by manufacturers you will often find white metal referred to as German silver. I'm not an expert in the composition of metals but simply make my observation based upon 40 plus years of collecting badges. Nothing else.

Dave.

[Bill A]

Thanks Griff.
I am not sure if all of the wm badges listed were struck? Some Cdn white metal badges are cast in some manner. (Die cast?)

[Bill A]

Dave, in references the term white metal is generic, used to describe any light toned metal. The research also suggests that the composition of the alloy for striking would be significantly different than that for striking/pressing.