The composition of some common alloys
A quick reference table to identify some common alloys
Below you'll find a reference table that shows the composition of common alloys. It helps to know the different metals that make up these alloys, as this influences the choices you make about pre-treatments and which plating processes to use.
A quick reference table for the composition of the most common metal alloys
Below is a handy table showing the mixes of metals in some common alloys you may need to plate. This knowledge will help you decide on the best course of action when selecting the best plating process. For help identifying the metal in the first place, please see our guide ‘How to identify different metals’ and once you’ve identified the metal or alloy please see our guide to choosing the right pre-treatment processes according to the plate you’ve selected.
| Alloy | Contains mostly… | With some… |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | Copper (67%) | Zinc (33%) |
| Britannia metal | Tin | Antinomy, copper |
| Bronze | Copper | Tin |
| Cupronickel | Copper | Nickel/manganese |
| Gilding metal | Copper (95%) | Zinc (5%) |
| Monel metal | Nickel | Coppe iron |
| Nickel silver | Copper (60%) | Nickel (20% zinc (20%)) |
| Pewter | Tin (94%) | Copper, bismuth |
| Pot metal/Zamak/Mazak | Zinc | Tin, aluminium, copper |
| Stainless steel | Iron | Chromium (18%), nickel (5%) |
| Sterling silver | Silver (92.5%) | Copper (7.5%) |
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