Editing Type metal (section)

=== Present usage of type metal ===
The fierce competition between the different mechanical typecasting systems like [[Linotype machine|Linotype]] and [[Monotype System|Monotype]] has given rise to some lasting fairy tales about typemetal. Linotype users looked down on Monotype and vice versa.

Monotype machines however can utilize a wide range of different alloys; maintaining a constant and a high production meant a strict standardization of the typemetal in the company, so as to reduce by all means any interruption of the production. Repeated assays were done at regular intervals to monitor the alloy used, since every time the metal is recycled, roughly half a per cent of tin content is lost through [[oxidation]]. These oxides are removed with the [[dross]] while cleaning the surface of the molten metal.

Nowadays this "battle" has lost its importance, at least for Monotype. The quality of the produced type is far more important. Alloys with a high-content of antimony, and subsequently a high content of tin, can be cast at a higher temperature, and at a lower speed and with more cooling at a Monotype composition or supercaster.

Although care was taken to avoid mixing different types of type metal in shops with different type casting systems, in actual practice this often occurred. Since a Monotype composition caster can cope with a variety of different metal alloys, occasional mixing of Linotype alloy with discarded typefounders alloy has proven its usefulness.