Dutch metal is a form of brass. The alloy typically consists of 85–88% copper and the remainder being zinc. It is also known by other names such as "composition gold leaf", "Dutch gold", "Schlagmetal" and "Schlag leaf".[1]
It is very malleable and ductile and so can be beaten into very thin sheets. These sheets are sold for use as metal leaf or imitation gold leaf.[2] The addition of arsenic produces an alloy with similar properties but coloured white.
- ^ "Dutch metal". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
- ^ Becker, Ellen (1998). Gold Leaf Application and Antique Restoration. Schiffer Pub. Limited. ISBN 9780764306327.