Pewter vs. Tin — What's the Difference?

Develops a characteristic patina.

Non-toxic and resistant to corrosion.

Used in decorative objects.

A chemical element (Sn).

An alloy of tin.

Important for technological applications.

Contains antimony and copper.

Used in plating and alloys.

Historically significant.

Soft and malleable.

Pewter () is a malleable metal alloy consisting of tin (85–99%), antimony (approximately 5–10%), copper (2%), bismuth, and sometimes silver. Copper and antimony (and in antiquity lead) act as hardeners but lead may be used in lower grades of pewter, imparting a bluish tint.

Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn (from Latin: stannum) and atomic number 50. Tin is a silvery metal that characteristically has a faint yellow hue.

Any of numerous silver-gray alloys of tin with various amounts of antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, used widely for fine kitchen utensils and tableware.

Symbol Sn A crystalline, silvery metallic element obtained chiefly from cassiterite, and having two notable allotropic forms. Malleable white tin is the useful allotrope, but at temperatures below 13.2°C it slowly converts to the brittle gray allotrope. Tin is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion and is a part of numerous alloys, such as soft solder, pewter, type metal, and bronze. Atomic number 50; atomic weight 118.71; melting point 231.93°C; boiling point 2,602°C; specific gravity (gray) 5.77, (white) 7.29; valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table.

Pewter articles considered as a group.

Tin plate.

An alloy of approximately 93–98% tin, 1–2% copper, and the balance of antimony.

A container or box made of tin plate.

(historical) An alloy of tin and lead.

A container for preserved foodstuffs; a can.

Items made of pewter; pewterware.

The contents of such a container.

A beer tankard made from pewter.

To plate or coat with tin.

A dark, dull grey colour, like that of the metal.

Chiefly British To preserve or pack in tins; can.

Prize money.

Of, relating to, or made of tin.

Of a dark, dull grey colour, like that of the metal.

Constructed of inferior material.

(transitive) To coat with pewter.

Spurious.

A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.

(uncountable) A malleable, ductile, metallic element, resistant to corrosion, with atomic number 50 and symbol Sn.

Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots.

An airtight container, made of tin or another metal, used to preserve food, or hold a liquid or some other product.

Any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)

(countable) A metal pan used for baking, roasting, etc.

The bottom part of the front wall, which is "out" if a player strikes it with the ball.

Money, especially silver money.

Computer hardware.

Made of tin.

Made of galvanised iron or built of corrugated iron.

(transitive) To place into a metal can (ie. a tin; be it tin, steel, aluminum) in order to preserve.

(transitive) To cover with tin.

(transitive) To coat with solder

To coat with solder, in preparation for soldering, to ensure a good solder joint

To coat with solder, in order to consolidate braided wire, so as to make contact with all strands and reduce fragility of the fraying wire

An elementary substance found as an oxide in the mineral cassiterite, and reduced as a soft silvery-white crystalline metal, with a tinge of yellowish-blue, and a high luster. It is malleable at ordinary temperatures, but brittle when heated. It is softer than gold and can be beaten out into very thin strips called tinfoil. It is ductile at 2120, when it can be drawn out into wire which is not very tenacious; it melts at 4420, and at a higher temperature burns with a brilliant white light. Air and moisture act on tin very slightly. The peculiar properties of tin, especially its malleability, its brilliancy and the slowness with which it rusts make it very serviceable. With other metals it forms valuable alloys, as bronze, gun metal, bell metal, pewter and solder. It is not easily oxidized in the air, and is used chiefly to coat iron to protect it from rusting, in the form of tin foil with mercury to form the reflective surface of mirrors, and in solder, bronze, speculum metal, and other alloys. Its compounds are designated as stannous, or stannic. Symbol Sn (Stannum). Atomic weight 117.4.

Thin plates of iron covered with tin; tin plate.

Money.

To cover with tin or tinned iron, or to overlay with tin foil.

A silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

Metal container for storing dry foods such as tea or flour

Airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.

Plate with tin

Preserve in a can or tin;

Prepare (a metal) for soldering or brazing by applying a thin layer of solder to the surface

Pewter is an alloy made primarily of tin, often combined with antimony and copper.

Pewter items often have a hallmark or stamp indicating their composition.

Tin is commonly used to coat steel cans for food preservation and in solder for electronics.

Tin mining can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss if not managed responsibly.

Pewter is melted and cast into molds to create various decorative and functional items.

Yes, modern pewter, which is lead-free, is safe for food containers and tableware.

Tin is crucial for its use in corrosion-resistant plating and as a component in various alloys.

Modern pewter is lead-free and considered safe, but antique pewter may contain lead.

A patina on pewter indicates age and exposure to air, often considered desirable for its aesthetic.

Pewter's historical use and unique finish make it popular among antique collectors.

Pewter, being an alloy crafted into decorative items, can be more expensive than raw tin.

Yes, tin is highly recyclable, with many industrial processes reclaiming and reusing it.

Tin's malleability and corrosion resistance make it versatile for industrial and manufacturing uses.

Once used for common household items, pewter is now more often valued for its artistic and decorative qualities.

Tin protects steel by acting as a barrier to air and water, preventing rust.