A loose name for inexpensive casting alloys, mostly zinc with some aluminum, copper and impurities, used for toy parts, trim, cheap tool bodies and carburetors. It is weak, brittle, prone to crumbling with age and hard to repair because it melts at low temperature and contaminates welds. Calling a part pot metal is a verdict on its quality.
Heard on the job
Vise handle snapped clean off, it's pot metal, don't bother welding it, turn a new one out of steel.
Also heard as
- monkey metal