What type material (metal)

[circlepilot]

65 Barracuda, automatic console top plate. After considerable rubbing and polishing, I called the chrome shop to see about getting the plate re-chromed. I was asked about what type of material is it made of? I took it for granted that it was ordinary pot metal, (due to appearance and weight) but nay-nay! It has the magnetic properties of stainless steel. (very little to none)
I collected a few shavings with a drill and the magnet would pick up the shavings? Is it made of "pewter?" Are my tail light bezels made of the same stuff?
Norm

 

[Treblig]

Pot metal?? Legal in California!!! I think 28.5 grams is the limit though unless you have a passenger, then it's 57 grams.

 

[dano]

Pot metal can be mildly magnetic since it is a "slop" of other metals.

 

[circlepilot]

Pot metal?? Legal in California!!!

Didn't think of that...now that you mention it.

 

[circlepilot]

And here...all these years...I took it for granted that pot metal was magnetic...sort of embarrassing, for a metals (sheet metal) specialist not to know.

 

[dano]

And here...all these years...I took it for granted that pot metal was magnetic...sort of embarrassing, for a metals (sheet metal) specialist not to know.

I had to look it up and I do mechanical design. From what I founds its a hodge podge slurry of an uncontrolled amount of different metals. Kind of a "fisherman's catch soup" of molten metals.

 

[cudamark]

I had to look it up and I do mechanical design. From what I founds its a hodge podge slurry of an uncontrolled amount of different metals. Kind of a "fisherman's catch soup" of molten metals.

AKA...Manurium.....as my late father claimed, since it's made of metal s**t.

 

[ch1ll]

Hence the name pot metal, everything that gets thrown into the melting pot.