What Are Hard Enamel Pins Made Of?

Enamel pins are made of a variety of metals and the colored enamel that fills them. Hard enamel pins may have a simple appearance, but several kinds of metals can go into their design.

When answering the question of what hard enamel pins are made of, it's important to distinguish the difference between the base pin material and the enamel itself: There's a material used for the backing and outline of the pin's design, and then there are the components used for the process of enameling. Here are a few metals that might be found in enamel pin backing and structures:

• Iron: This is an extremely common material for hard enamel pins.
• Zinc Alloy: This metal is really common in pins, too, and it may be combined with iron.
• Aluminum or Stainless Steel: These are most often used for offset print pins.
• Copper: This is a less common option, usually only used as a special aspect of a design to incorporate copper's unique color.

Most often, you'll find that hard enamel pins are made of iron and zinc alloy, except for special cases involving unique designs. Of course, they're also made of enamel.

What Is Hard Enamel Made Out Of?

Hard enamel is a colored material made from tiny glass particles that is fused to the metal part of a pin. These tiny particles typically take the form of a dry colored powder, though they can also be mixed with a binding agent to form a paste or liquid applied with a fine brush. The enamel is baked onto the pin to melt and solidify it inside the metal shape.