Type Metal: Lead Hardened with Antimony and Tin

Lead alone casts easily but shrinks as it sets and is too soft for type. Antimony makes it hard and the castings sharp; tin makes the melt flow and the type tough. The Linotype alloy is 86 % lead, 11 % antimony and 3 % tin. Melt the antimony and mix in salt, stir in red-hot lead, add the tin, skim the dross and cast ingots. The picture: our diagram of the three metals going into one pot.