What is tin used for?

The role of tin (Sn) in the body: daily requirement and beneficial properties of the substance

Tin is found in small quantities in the body of every person, but not everyone knows about the effect of this element on people. In our article we will talk about the functions that this microelement performs and the consequences of its deficiency and excess for our health.

Description and characteristics

Tin (Sn) is a light, silver-colored metal with a slightly bluish tint. This trace element affects the growth and proper formation of bone tissue, and also affects the activity of certain enzymes.

This metal was known to people several thousand years ago - it was used to obtain alloys and to make various household items. Using it in its pure form was necessary to make dishes and decorations.

Currently, pure tin or its alloys are used in various fields of activity. It is used to create stainless steel coatings and produce electronics. This element is necessary for tinplate, which is used to make tin cans.

It is used for titanium and zirconium alloys used in the construction of jet aircraft and missiles. An alloy of this metal with lead and antimony is necessary for the production of typographic type; due to the strength of tin and resistance to fatigue, one set can be used for a long time.

Functions and role in the body

The concentration of this element in humans occurs in bone tissue, heart, lungs, small intestine and kidneys. This trace element is excreted from the body in urine and bile.

Its role in the processes occurring in the body has not been fully studied, but it is already clear that this trace element:

• activates the growth of tissues and organs in childhood;
• responsible for the proper formation and development of the skeleton;
• is part of the gastric enzyme gastrin;
• takes part in the production of bile acids;
• participates in the production of flavin enzymes, which are hydrogen carriers in the oxidation chain.

What does tin contain: source products

The main source of tin entering the body is food. The highest content of the microelement is in fats, but people also get it from food packaging, among which the main sources are foil and cans.

It reacts with food, causing its concentration to increase.

We recommend reading which products contain and why such micro and macroelements as magnesium, zinc, selenium, silicon, potassium, boron, cobalt, germanium, rubidium, chlorine, bromine, iodine and silicon are useful for the human body.

When storing food in cans, the amount of tin contained in them increases by 2 mg every month. An open can of canned food transfers the microelement to the products contained in it even more quickly: after a few days, the amount of this microelement increases by 5-6 times.

Important! When opening cans, the contents must be transferred to a glass container and placed in the refrigerator. This will prevent you from consuming excess tin.

This element also enters the body when brushing teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride. A large amount of this element is found in sunflower seeds and nuts, in small quantities it is found in dairy products and is practically absent in cheeses.

Among the products containing tin are:

Daily requirement and norms

The norm per day for an adult is 2-10 mg of tin, the toxic dose is 20 mg. Every day, an average of 50 mg of this element enters the body with food, but only 5% of this amount is absorbed, the rest is naturally excreted in the urine.

Deficiency and excess: causes and symptoms

A deficiency or excess of this microelement can be harmful to human health, so you need to monitor its presence in the body. It should be contained only in required quantities.

Flaw

Basically, this element enters the body with food, so its deficiency in humans is extremely rare. However, if it does not enter the body in sufficient quantities, this is fraught with certain complications.

Signs of a deficiency of this microelement are:

• disturbed balance of minerals in internal organs;
• hair loss;
• hearing impairment;
• growth slowdown.

Oversupply

This microelement is not particularly toxic, but still, if there is an excess of it in the body, a person may experience discomfort. In this case, tin will accumulate in the muscles, bones, liver and kidneys.

The main symptoms of an excess amount of this element are:

• dizziness and migraine;
• poor appetite and weight loss;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• skin inflammation;
• attacks of aggression and increased excitability;
• stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea;
• hyperglycemia (high blood sugar);
• liver enlargement.

Women have a more pronounced sensitivity to an excess of this element than men. Excessive amounts of tin can damage nerve cells, which can cause depression in women. If this element enters the body in large quantities, it can cause food poisoning.

Important! When consuming juice in cans, you must carefully check the production date. The walls of the container and the nitrates contained in the drink, which deteriorate over time, can be harmful to the body.

When residential buildings are located close to the roadway (no further than 500 meters), excess amounts of tin accumulate in them in the form of dust and vapors. In this case, a person can develop malignant tumors, especially with weakened immunity.

Residents of such houses should use more magnesium in their diet, which is responsible for preventing the division and development of cancer cells. With age, the activity of removing this element from the body decreases, so in older people it accumulates, causing lung diseases and reducing years of life.

If tin poisoning is chronic, diets are used to treat it, as well as liver protectants and drugs with a high content of copper and zinc. In case of particularly severe poisoning, a person is injected with substances that have the properties of neutralizing various metals in the body.

Interaction with other substances

Tin, which is part of fatty acids, has a positive effect on the body, while its presence in mineral compounds has a negative effect on it.

Tin does not exhibit any particular activity in chemical reactions, so from this point of view the element does not bring any particular harm or benefit. The only interaction currently known is the reaction of this element with zinc, which prevents their absorption. Copper and zinc have the same neutralizing effect on tin.

Thus, tin brings significant benefits to the body; the main thing is to avoid both excess and deficiency. Knowing the amount of this microelement in food, as well as the characteristics of its intake into the body, you can control its amount so that the effect is exclusively positive.

Source: https://lifegid.com/bok/2372-hvataet-li-olova-vashemu-organizmu-v-chem-polza-mikroelementa-kak-vyyavit-nehvatku-ili-pereizbytok.html

Tin products and other applications of pure metal, as well as its various alloys

Despite its name - “resistant”, tin is not a durable metal. It is too light and malleable to be used for the production of any load-bearing structures. But malleability at relatively low temperatures and plasticity make the substance very popular in the relevant field. You will learn all this and even more from this article about how you can use tin, where to buy it for soldering, what solders are possible with it.

In the modern national economy, in the vast majority of cases, it is not tin that is used, but its various alloys.

Modern bronze often includes more than just copper and tin. Usually it also contains silicon, lead, aluminum and other additional components.

• The second most famous application is solders . These are alloys of tin and lead, silver, copper, as well as cadmium or bismuth. A distinctive feature of this alloy is its low melting point, the ability to form bonds with other metals and the high strength of such compounds. With the help of solders, a wide variety of metal parts are connected to each other, which cannot be connected to each other - due to too different melting temperatures, for example. Occasionally, pure tin solders are also used.

The properties of solder are determined by its composition. Traditionally it is used in radio and electrical engineering. But an alloy of 30% tin and 70% lead has a very wide range of solidification. This characteristic is used when soldering various types of pipes.

• Both tin itself and tin-lead alloys have good adhesion to the metal. And therefore, both are used for external coating of parts in order to protect products from corrosion and give them an attractive appearance. A layer is applied by immersing the object in a bath of melt, or using the electrolytic method from aqueous solutions.
• Another well-known alloy of tin, antimony and copper is known for its outstanding anti-friction properties. Such compositions, called babbitts, are used to coat various moving parts in order to reduce their wear.
• An alloy of metal with lead and antimony is used in the manufacture of typographic fonts. Its durability and resistance to fatigue allow the same set to be used for a long time.
• Another unusual use for combining metal with lead is in organ pipes. Tin is the most tonally resonant metal known. Its amount in the alloy determines the tone of the pipe.

This video will tell you about the uses of tin:

Tin is also used as a supply of an independent substance - with a share of up to 97–99%.

• Almost half of such pure metal as tin is used to coat cans. Well-known tin objects are a steel product coated with a thin layer of tin - 0.4 microns. The latter provides excellent anti-corrosion protection.
• A lot of different food containers and even dishes are made from tin, since the metal has excellent hygienic properties and is absolutely safe, unlike its medieval “brother”, which is an alloy with lead. Dishes made from this light silver metal are very beautiful. In addition, the high malleability and plasticity of the substance make it possible not only to stamp pots and plates, but to produce truly excellent tableware items. Accordingly, gifts made of tin are popular.
• Due to its excellent anti-corrosion properties, tin is also used in the manufacture of pipelines. These qualities are especially valuable when organizing a drinking water supply system. However, they are not widely used, since the material is quite expensive and, most importantly, scarce on the construction market.

We will talk about the heat, degree, specific melting temperature of tin for making products and soldering microcircuits, about the features of the use in industry of white, gray, chlorine, liquid tin, and its properties below.

Use of metal in construction

Low strength and hardness significantly limit the use of tin in the construction industry. And most alloys with metal require completely different characteristics.

However, the substance also found a place in this area.

Tin bronzes

An alloy of tin and copper is the best known use of the metal, with the possible exception of tinplate. Tin bronze has excellent anti-friction properties, is resistant to corrosion, is hygienic and is not afraid of frost. In addition, the material is extremely attractive in appearance and has excellent malleability.

These properties determine the scope of application of the tin alloy.

• Pipeline - resistance to high temperatures and very low shrinkage - less than 1%, determine the use of bronze pipes for any type of pipeline: hot and cold water supply, heating, and so on. Due to the fact that the material does not corrode, it is extremely durable: a bronze pipeline (not to be confused with ceramic) is designed to last for centuries. In addition, it is much easier to maintain. Its appearance only becomes more attractive over time: the correct black patina gives even a simple pipe elegance, the material does not lose its properties, and moreover, the material does not accumulate electricity, like steel, for example.
• Plumbing fixtures - bathtubs, washbasins, toilets made of this alloy not only “honestly” fulfill their role, that is, they are durable objects with excellent hygienic properties, they are often also very beautiful. The malleability of bronze allows you to turn your bathroom into an artistic masterpiece.
• The same applies to small accessories for the bathroom , toilet or kitchen. Bronze taps, watering cans, stands, heated towel rails and others will give any interior a completely luxurious look.
• Fittings of a different kind - handles, locks, door hinges and even curtain rings, a very sophisticated touch of the classic style.
• Stair railings and railings are perhaps the most effective use of bronze in a residential building, since they have a relatively large area. Forged or cast bronze railings are a way to make the interior not only unique, but also extremely luxurious and elegant.
• Sculptures and household items that can be made from metal - hangers, benches, holders, mirror frames and so on. Made of bronze, these products are a decoration for any home and in any style.

This video will tell you what to do if you don’t have enough tin for soldering:

Tin candlesticks, glass holders, buttons and toy soldiers have sunk into Summer. Today, pure tin, despite its much lower cost compared to past centuries, has much less application, since it is being replaced by cheaper and more accessible alloys.

However, lovers of retro styles will not fail to find a tin product to decorate the interior.

• Pewter fittings are mainly door handles, although other items can be found. Compared to bronze or brass, tin appears more modest and has less shine. However, for country or English styles this is an advantage. Well, the high malleability of the material significantly compensates for its dimness.
• Tin tableware - from the simplest “grandfather’s” mug, from which “such tasty water”, to exquisite cutlery. Pewter dishes are elegant and will compliment any living room. And even now you can surprise a lover of antiquity with a set of pewter dessert spoons.
• tin street lamps were widely used . They stopped using them a long time ago, but tin lamps of various kinds - from chandeliers to modest tabletops - are still made.

Tin is a rare metal, best known as a component of bronze, and it has found application in construction and everyday life in the form of a bronze alloy. However, tin household items and dishes are still used as decoration in the dining room.

Have you decided to make small crafts from tin yourself? Then watch this video first:

Source: http://stroyres.net/metallicheskie/vidyi/tsvetnyie/olovo/oblasti-sferyi-primeneniya.html

Tin

Tin (lat. Stannum; denoted by the symbol Sn) is an element of the main subgroup of the fourth group, the fifth period of D. I. Mendeleev’s periodic table of chemical elements, with atomic number 50. Belongs to the group of light metals.

Under normal conditions, the simple substance tin is a ductile, malleable and fusible shiny metal of a silvery-white color.

Tin forms two allotropic modifications: below 13.2 °C, α-tin (gray tin) with a cubic diamond-type lattice is stable; above 13.2 °C, β-tin (white tin) with a tetragonal crystal lattice is stable.

Story

Tin was known to man already in the 4th millennium BC. e. This metal was inaccessible and expensive, since products made from it are rarely found among Roman and Greek antiquities. There are mentions of tin in the Bible, the Fourth Book of Moses. Tin is (along with copper) one of the components of bronze (see.

History of copper and bronze), invented at the end or middle of the 3rd millennium BC. e.. Since bronze was the most durable metal and alloy known at that time, tin was a “strategic metal” throughout the “Bronze Age”, more than 2000 years (very approximately: 35-11 centuries BC).

origin of name

The Latin name stannum, related to the Sanskrit word meaning "steady, durable", originally referred to an alloy of lead and silver, and later to another alloy imitating it, containing about 67% tin; by the 4th century, this word began to be used to refer to tin itself.

The word tin is common Slavic, having correspondences in the Baltic languages ​​(cf. Lit. alavas, alvas - “tin”, Prussian alwis - “lead”). It is a suffixal formation from the root ol- (cf. Old High German elo - “yellow”, Latin albus - “white”, etc.

), so the metal is named by color.

Production

During the production process, the ore-bearing rock (cassiterite) is crushed to particle sizes of an average of ~ 10 mm in industrial mills, after which cassiterite, due to its relatively high density and mass, is separated from the waste rock using the vibration-gravity method on dressing tables. In addition, the flotation method of ore enrichment/purification is used. The resulting tin ore concentrate is smelted in furnaces. During the smelting process, it is restored to a free state through the use of charcoal in the reduction, the layers of which are stacked alternately with the layers of ore.

Application

1. Tin is used primarily as a safe, non-toxic, corrosion-resistant coating in its pure form or in alloys with other metals. The main industrial uses of tin are in tinplate (tinned iron) for food containers, in solders for electronics, in household piping, in bearing alloys, and in coatings of tin and its alloys. The most important alloy of tin is bronze (with copper).

Another well-known alloy, pewter, is used to make tableware. Recently, there has been a revival of interest in the use of metal, since it is the most “ecologically friendly” among heavy non-ferrous metals. Used to create superconducting wires based on the Nb3Sn intermetallic compound. 2.

Intermetallic compounds of tin and zirconium have high melting points (up to 2000 °C) and resistance to oxidation when heated in air and have a number of applications. 3. Tin is the most important alloying component in the production of structural titanium alloys. 4. Tin dioxide is a very effective abrasive material used to “finish” the surface of optical glass. 5.

A mixture of tin salts - the "yellow composition" - was previously used as a dye for wool.

6. Tin is also used in chemical current sources as an anode material, for example: manganese-tin element, mercury-tin oxide element.

The use of tin in a lead-tin battery is promising; for example, at the same voltage, compared to a lead battery, a lead-tin battery has 2.5 times greater capacity and 5 times greater energy density per unit volume, its internal resistance is much lower.

Source: http://edu.glavsprav.ru/info/sn/

Have you heard about food grade tin?

Food-grade tin, or pewter as it is also called, is often used to make decorative items, dishes and other kitchen utensils. The demand for the material is due to its ability to conduct heat well. Even in ancient times, metal was used in many production areas, but since then the excitement for it has died down a little. However, if you are lucky enough to find utensils made from food-grade tin today, you can be sure that these are high-quality, time-tested items.

What is food grade tin?

Tin, which was used to make dishes, food storage containers and cutlery, came to be called food grade. In some countries the name "British metal" is used. Among the large number of raw materials, edible tin for soldering stands out for its purity.

Basically, it contains only a small proportion of impurities, which improve its strength. Additives are also used to reduce the cost of metal, because in its pure form it is quite expensive. Typically, edible tin contains up to 5% antimony and approximately 0.5% silver and copper.

In the highest quality products, silver may not only be contained in the alloy; it may partially or completely cover the surface.

Pewter tableware, regardless of its size and type, looks very beautiful and presentable. Such products are on par in value with items made of platinum, silver and gold. In collectible and specialized stores you can find plates, glasses, sugar bowls and teapots made of food-grade tin with carved ornaments and engravings, marked with a quality mark.

Metal properties

Edible tin is valued not only for its beauty. The metal has unique properties that make it popular for use. These include:

• ductility;
• plastic;
• low melting point;
• slight hardness;
• resistance to atmospheric corrosion;
• non-toxic.

What does food grade tin look like?

It was the latter quality that became decisive in the use of tin in the food industry. The composition of pewter cookware is absolutely safe for food. The plasticity of tin allows you to make dishes with reliefs, serifs and three-dimensional designs. Another plus in favor of the material is the durability of kitchen utensils, even with constant interaction with hot food. In this case, harmful substances are also not released, food does not change its taste and smell.

If you need to buy a gift for family or friends, then a food tin set will be the ideal solution. Such dishes will not only decorate the interior, but will also become a sign of the good taste of its owner. Moreover, time will only increase the value of the products and in the future they will serve as an excellent inheritance. It's safe to say that buying pewter is a smart investment for the future.

Application area

Tin has been in demand in many countries since ancient times. A variety of dishes were made from it, but not everyone could afford to have it. The fact is that the process of mining tin ore is quite expensive, so the price for the utensils was set accordingly. Only a rich man of high rank and position in society could purchase it.

Very often, pewter utensils can be found in the sideboards of German citizens. They are known for their pedantry and accuracy, they love everything valuable and rare. Therefore, if you take at least one of the specimens from their collection and conduct an independent examination, then it will probably be marked as a valuable item.

Highly artistic products can be made from food-grade tin

Highly artistic products are made from edible tin using casting techniques - centrifugal or pressure. In addition, objects go through the stages of polishing and engraving. Many things are made by hand, which increases their value, both aesthetically and materially.

Features of caring for food-grade tin products

Food grade tin does not require any complex care. However, if you neglect even simple rules, the metal may become dull and will have to be restored.

After using pewter items, they must be thoroughly washed under running water using neutral detergents and wiped dry with a soft cloth or towel. If this is not done, then over time stains will form on the surface of the products, which will spoil their appearance.

Plaque on tin utensils does not always require cleaning. Collectors have such a thing as patina. This is an oxide film on the surface, which indicates the age of the products and their value. The main condition is that it is uniform. But if you prefer shine on the surface, then you can use silver cleaning products. To ensure that pewter objects always delight you with beauty, you can use some tips for caring for them:

• Do not wash pewter in the dishwasher;
• it is necessary to promptly clean products from food residues;
• You can use baking soda as a cleaning agent, but wipe the dishes with it very carefully so as not to leave scratches;
• A paste of vinegar, salt and flour is suitable for polishing the surface. Use it without water, and after treating the surface, wash the utensils and wipe dry.

Other homemade recipes are also suitable as polishing agents. For example, potatoes with chalk or regular cabbage leaves. Just wipe the surface with them and wait a little.

Tin plating technology

Most household items made of iron or copper tend to tarnish and become covered with a harmful coating. They cannot be used for food in the future.

To restore objects, for example, a samovar, they often use the method of covering them with another metal, which better withstands external influences. Basically, it is a food-grade soldering tin that can withstand moisture and food components released by it.

Coating a metal surface with a thin layer of tin is called tinning, and the tin layer is called half-doing.

The technology of tinning a samovar with food-grade tin is not difficult and does not require serious investment. For this purpose, you can go to a workshop or try to do everything yourself. Among the many recipes for tinning, there is one that is most accessible for home execution.

To work you will need:

• an item that needs to be tinned;
• a piece of pure food tin;
• sandpaper;
• soldering acid;
• tow;
• plate.

Soldering acid is required for tinning with food grade tin.

The process works as follows. The inner surface of the cookware is cleaned with sandpaper, washed with water and rubbed with a soldering iron.

Next, the product is placed on the stove, heated well and a little tin is placed in it. When the metal becomes liquid, it is thoroughly rubbed with tow over the entire surface.

Then they reheat and grind the tin again, leveling and compacting the layer of poluda. The process is repeated until the entire surface of the cookware is covered with an even and dense layer of tin.

This technology allows you to achieve good quality tinning and will make old dishes suitable for further use.

To tinning iron objects with tin, you should be careful about its composition. It is unacceptable to use an alloy containing lead or zinc. It is, of course, cheaper, but is harmful to human health.

Source: https://1nerudnyi.ru/pishhevoe-olovo-01/

Chemical element tin. Properties and uses of tin

Education July 31, 2015

Each chemical element of the periodic table and the simple and complex substances formed by it are unique. They have unique properties, and many make an undeniably significant contribution to human life and existence in general. The chemical element tin is no exception.

People's acquaintance with this metal goes back to ancient times. This chemical element played a decisive role in the development of human civilization; to this day, the properties of tin are widely used.

Tin in history

The first mentions of this metal, which, as people previously believed, even had some magical properties, can be found in biblical texts. Tin played a decisive role in improving life during the Bronze Age.

At that time, the most durable metal alloy that man possessed was bronze, which can be obtained by adding the chemical element tin to copper.

For several centuries, everything from tools to jewelry was made from this material.

After the discovery of the properties of iron, the tin alloy did not cease to be used; of course, it is not used on the same scale, but bronze, as well as many of its alloys, are actively used by man today in industry, technology and medicine, along with salts of this metal, for example, such as chloride tin, which is obtained by reacting tin with chlorine, this liquid boils at 112 degrees Celsius, dissolves well in water, forms crystalline hydrates and smokes in air.

Element position in the periodic table

The chemical element tin (the Latin name stannum - “stannum”, written with the symbol Sn) was rightfully placed by Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev at number fifty, in the fifth period. It has a number of isotopes, the most common isotope 120.

This metal is also in the main subgroup of group six, along with carbon, silicon, germanium and flerovium.

Its location predicts amphoteric properties; tin is equally characterized by both acidic and basic characteristics, which will be described in more detail below.

The periodic table also shows the atomic mass of tin, which is 118.69. The electronic configuration is 5s25p2, which in the composition of complex substances allows the metal to exhibit oxidation states +2 and +4, giving away two electrons only from the p-sublevel or four from the s- and p-, completely emptying the entire outer level.

Electronic characteristics of the element

According to the atomic number, the perinuclear space of a tin atom contains as many as fifty electrons; they are located on five levels, which, in turn, are split into a number of sublevels. The first two have only s- and p-sublevels, and starting from the third there is a threefold splitting into s-, p-, d-.

Let us consider the outer electronic level, since it is its structure and filling with electrons that determine the chemical activity of the atom.

In an unexcited state, the element exhibits a valence of two; upon excitation, one electron transitions from the s-sublevel to a vacant position in the p-sublevel (it can contain a maximum of three unpaired electrons).

In this case, tin exhibits a valence and oxidation state of 4, since there are no paired electrons, which means that during the chemical interaction nothing holds them at the sublevels.

Simple substance metal and its properties

The simple substance tin is a silver-colored metal that belongs to the group of fusible metals. The metal is soft and relatively easy to deform. A number of features are inherent in such a metal as tin.

Temperatures below 13.2 degrees Celsius are the boundary of the transition of the metal modification of tin into powder form, which is accompanied by a change in color from silver-white to gray and a decrease in the density of the substance. Tin melts at 231.9 degrees and boils at 2270 degrees Celsius.

The crystalline tetragonal structure of white tin explains the characteristic crunching of the metal when it is bent and heated at the bend by friction of the crystals of the substance against each other. Gray tin has a cubic system.

The chemical properties of tin are dual; it enters into both acidic and basic reactions, exhibiting amphotericity. The metal reacts with alkalis, as well as acids such as sulfuric and nitric, and is active when reacting with halogens.

Tin alloys

Why are alloys with a certain percentage of constituent components used more often instead of pure metals? The fact is that the alloy has properties that the individual metal does not have, or these properties are much stronger (for example, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, passivation or activation of the physical and chemical characteristics of metals if necessary, etc.). Tin (the photo shows a sample of pure metal) is part of many alloys. It can be used as a supplement or base substance.

Today, a large number of alloys of such a metal as tin are known (their price varies widely), let’s consider the most popular and used (the use of certain alloys will be discussed in the corresponding section). In general, stannum alloys have the following characteristics: high ductility, low melting point, low hardness and strength.

Some examples of alloys

• An alloy of tin and lead with some alloying additives (antimony, copper, cadmium, zinc, silver, indium) is the so-called soldering tin, the percentage of stannum in it to achieve the best fastening properties should be 49-51 or 59-61 percent. The strength of the connection is ensured by the formation of a solid solution by tin with the metal surfaces being bonded.
• Garth, an alloy of tin, lead and antimony, is the basis of printing ink (which is why it is not recommended to wrap food in newspapers to avoid introducing unwanted concentrations of these metals).
• Babbitt - an alloy of tin, lead, copper and antimony - is characterized by a low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance.
• Indium-tin alloy is a low-melting material characterized by refractoriness, corrosion resistance and significant strength.

The most important natural compounds

Tin forms a number of natural compounds - ores. The metal forms 24 mineral compounds, the most important for industry being tin oxide - cassiterite, as well as stanine - Cu2FeSnS4. Tin is scattered in the earth's crust, and the compounds formed by it are of magnetic origin. Salts of polytin acids and tin silicates are also used in industry.

Tin and the human body

The chemical element tin is a trace element in its quantitative content in the human body. Its main accumulation is in bone tissue, where the normal metal content contributes to its timely development and the general functioning of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to bones, tin is concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys and heart.

It is important to note that excessive accumulation of this metal can lead to general poisoning of the body, and longer exposure can even lead to unfavorable gene mutations. Recently, this problem has become quite relevant, since the ecological state of the environment leaves much to be desired.

There is a high probability of tin intoxication among residents of megacities and areas nearby industrial zones. Most often, poisoning occurs through the accumulation of tin salts in the lungs, for example, tin chloride and others.

At the same time, a lack of microelement can cause growth retardation, hearing loss and hair loss.

Chemical element tin: properties and characteristics:

The chemical element tin is one of the seven ancient metals known to mankind. This metal is part of bronze, which is of great importance. Currently, the chemical element tin has lost its popularity, but its properties deserve detailed consideration and study.

What is an element

It is located in the fifth period, in the fourth group (the main subgroup). This arrangement indicates that the chemical element tin is an amphoteric compound capable of exhibiting both basic and acidic properties. The relative atomic mass is 50, so it is considered a light element.

Peculiarities

The chemical element tin is a plastic, malleable, light substance of silvery white color. As it is used, it loses its shine, which is considered a disadvantage of its characteristics. Tin is a dispersed metal, so there are difficulties with its extraction. The element has a high boiling point (2600 degrees), a low melting point (231.9 C), high electrical conductivity, and excellent malleability. It has high tear resistance.

Tin is an element that does not have toxic properties and does not have a negative effect on the human body, therefore it is in demand in food production.

What other properties does tin have? When choosing this element for making dishes and water pipelines, you will not have to fear for your safety.

Finding in the body

What else is tin (a chemical element) characterized by? How is its formula read? These issues are discussed in the school curriculum. In our body, this element is located in the bones, promoting the process of bone tissue regeneration. It is classified as a macronutrient, therefore, for full life, a person needs from two to ten mg of tin per day.

This element enters the body in larger quantities with food, but the intestines absorb no more than five percent of the intake, so the likelihood of poisoning is minimal.

With a lack of this metal, growth slows down, hearing loss occurs, the composition of bone tissue changes, and baldness occurs. Poisoning is caused by the absorption of dust or vapors of this metal, as well as its compounds.

Basic properties

The density of tin is average. The metal is highly corrosion resistant, which is why it is used in the national economy. For example, tin is in demand in the manufacture of tin cans.

What else is tin characterized by? The use of this metal is also based on its ability to combine various metals, creating an external environment resistant to aggressive environments. For example, the metal itself is necessary for tinning household items and utensils, and its solders are needed for radio engineering and electricity.

Characteristics

In terms of its external characteristics, this metal is similar to aluminum. In reality, the similarity between them is insignificant, limited only by lightness and metallic luster, resistance to chemical corrosion. Aluminum exhibits amphoteric properties, so it easily reacts with alkalis and acids.

For example, if aluminum is exposed to acetic acid, a chemical reaction is observed. Tin, on the other hand, can only react with strong concentrated acids.

Advantages and disadvantages of tin

This metal is practically not used in construction because it does not have high mechanical strength. Basically, nowadays it is not pure metal that is used, but its alloys.

Let us highlight the main advantages of this metal. Malleability is of particular importance; it is used in the process of making household items. For example, stands and lamps made of this metal look aesthetically pleasing.

The tin coating significantly reduces friction, thereby protecting the product from premature wear.

Among the main disadvantages of this metal, one can mention its low strength. Tin is unsuitable for the manufacture of parts and components that involve significant loads.

Metal mining

Melting of tin is carried out at a low temperature, but due to the difficulty of its extraction, the metal is considered an expensive substance. Due to the low melting point, when applying tin to the surface of a metal, significant savings in electrical energy can be achieved.

Structure

The metal has a homogeneous structure, but depending on the temperature, its different phases are possible, differing in characteristics. Among the most common modifications of this metal, we note the β-variant, which exists at a temperature of 20 degrees.

Thermal conductivity and its boiling point are the main characteristics given for tin. When the temperature decreases from 13.2 C, an α-modification called gray tin is formed.

This form does not have plasticity and malleability, and has a lower density because it has a different crystal lattice.

When moving from one form to another, a change in volume is observed, since there is a difference in density, resulting in the destruction of the tin product. This phenomenon is called the “tin plague.” This feature leads to the fact that the area of ​​use of the metal is significantly reduced.

Under natural conditions, tin can be found in rocks in the form of a trace element, and its mineral forms are also known. For example, cassiterite contains its oxide, and tin pyrite contains its sulfide.

Usage

The main characteristic that allows the use of tin is its high corrosion resistance. This metal, as well as its alloys, are among the most resistant compounds to aggressive chemicals. More than half of all tin produced in the world is used to make tinplate. This technology, associated with applying a thin layer of tin to steel, began to be used to protect cans from chemical corrosion.

The rolling ability of tin is used to produce thin-walled pipes from it. Due to the instability of this metal to low temperatures, its domestic use is quite limited.

Tin alloys have a significantly lower thermal conductivity value than steel, so they can be used for the production of washbasins and bathtubs, as well as for the manufacture of various sanitary fittings.

Tin is suitable for the production of minor decorative and household items, making tableware, and creating original jewelry. This dull and malleable metal, when combined with copper, has long become one of the most favorite materials of sculptors. Bronze combines high strength and resistance to chemical and natural corrosion. This alloy is in demand as a decorative and building material.

Tin is a tonally resonant metal. For example, when it is combined with lead, an alloy is obtained that is used to make modern musical instruments. Bronze bells have been known since ancient times. An alloy of tin and lead is used to create organ pipes.

Conclusion

The increasing attention of modern manufacturing to issues related to environmental protection, as well as to problems related to maintaining public health, has influenced the composition of materials used in the manufacture of electronics.

For example, there has been increased interest in lead-free soldering process technology. Lead is a material that causes significant harm to human health, which is why it is no longer used in electrical engineering.

Soldering requirements became more stringent, and tin alloys began to be used instead of dangerous lead.

Pure tin is practically not used in industry, since problems arise with the development of the “tin plague”. Among the main areas of application of this rare scattered element, we highlight the production of superconducting wires.

Coating contact surfaces with pure tin allows you to increase the soldering process and protect the metal from corrosion.

As a result of the transition to lead-free technology by many steel manufacturers, they began to use natural tin to cover contact surfaces and leads. This option allows you to obtain high-quality protective coating at an affordable cost.

Due to the absence of impurities, the new technology is not only considered environmentally friendly, but also makes it possible to obtain excellent results at an affordable cost.

Manufacturers consider tin to be a promising and modern metal in electrical engineering and radio electronics.

Source: https://www.syl.ru/article/310737/himicheskiy-element-olovo-svoystva-i-harakteristiki

Tin for soldering and tinning works

Tin is one of the oldest metals used by man. As the chemical encyclopedia indicates, this metal was known as early as 6000 BC. tin in the earth's crust is 8×10-3%.

The main natural minerals are tin stone and tin pyrite. The first is called cassiterite. The name of the second type of ore - stannin - is based on the name of the chemical element itself (stannum).

Due to the popularity of the method of using metal for soldering, the need to produce a variety of tin solder, and to isolate pure metal for tinning, the development of ores has acquired an industrial scale.

Metal Features

There are 10 stable isotopes of tin constantly present in nature. This is a large number. For other chemical elements, the number of stable isotopes is incomparably smaller. Iron atoms, for example, have 4 isotopes.

Let us recall that isotopes are varieties of atoms that have different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus, and therefore different atomic masses. The properties of isotopes are similar, however, they have some differences.

Tin is a soft metal with a light silver color, which has ductility, malleability, and properties convenient for soldering.

It has several crystal modifications (cubic, tetragonal and rhombic):

1. The first form is designated by the letter α and is called gray tin. The maximum temperature of existence is 14 ℃, above which the process of transformation into the next form occurs.
2. The second form is designated by the letter β and is called white tin. The maximum temperature of existence is 173 ℃, above which the process of transformation into the last form occurs.
3. The third form is designated by the letter γ, has a melting point of almost 232 ℃.

As the temperature decreases, all transformations are slowly carried out in reverse order.

Application for solders

Tin in its pure form could theoretically be used for soldering due to its good wetting ability and electrical conductivity. However, as the temperature drops, there is a high probability of a transition from one form of metal to another, which is brittle and unstable.

As a result, soldering will result in the formation of a short-lived connection. Pure tin solders are not used in practice.

The addition of other components significantly increases the possibility of obtaining durable seams.

Tin-lead alloys are widely used, suitable for soldering various parts. Many of the solders are marked with PIC indicating the percentage of tin. If the composition includes bismuth, an additional letter B appears in the letter combination.

There are known proprietary soldering compounds containing tin, lead, bismuth, and sometimes other additives in various proportions. Examples are the alloys Wood, D, Arce, Rose.

The group of tin compounds with lead is suitable for tinning and soldering of copper, copper and steel alloys. All of them have low melting points, are convenient for working with a regular soldering iron, and are always available for sale.

If you suddenly need to carry out soldering urgently, but there is no solder on hand, you can use a soldering iron to remove the connection from old unnecessary electrical appliances. The mass will serve you effectively once again.

Mixtures containing cadmium, aluminum, zinc, and bismuth are used for soldering aluminum products and parts made of non-ferrous alloys. The formation of strong seams is facilitated by the introduction of alloying components.

Lead and lead-free alloys

The environmental community is alarmed by information about the variety of applications for solders containing toxic metals.

Explanatory work is being carried out about the dangers of prolonged contact with lead, cadmium, and bismuth during soldering. Alternative solder alloys are being developed and put into practice, in which harmful chemical elements have been replaced with safe ones.

Among lead-free solders, tin and copper alloys cover the largest range of applications for soldering. The eutectic mixture ensures the formation of strong seams on different materials, in accordance with the properties of which the proportion of components in the consumable material is selected. Tin-copper solders have affordable prices and are environmentally safe.

Soldering using tin-silver alloys gives excellent results. The seam is strong and heat-resistant.

The material is non-toxic. It can be used even when soldering drinking water supply systems. The qualities of the consumable material allow it to be used for production needs, but desire is limited by cost. The silver component significantly increases the price.

The alloy of tin and gallium has the minimum melting temperature. Soldering with it can be carried out at 20 ℃. For such work, the usual soldering equipment is not required.

However, gallium is an expensive metal. The scope of its use in soldering is limited by the feasibility of increased financial costs.

Immersion coatings

Soldering on printed circuit boards is carried out after surface preparation, which can be done in different ways.

A high-quality result is ensured by immersion - the application of a thin layer of metal from a solution of its salts.

The board is immersed in a solution that must contain a component with a lower electronegativity than the base material.

Immersion is an effective method of applying a thin layer of tin to the surface of the board, allowing subsequent soldering to proceed safely.

The coating thickness does not exceed 1 micron. The method has disadvantages, which include the possibility of the formation of intermetallic inclusions and microscopic whiskers.

In order not to worsen the conditions for subsequent soldering, large tin crystals are precipitated. Another option to avoid trouble is to apply a thin layer of organometallic substances before deposition of tin. The measures taken allow soldering to be carried out successfully.

An immersion coating is formed by placing the board in a tin chloride solution. The process can be stimulated by introducing small amounts of complexing agents, for example, thiourea, into the aqueous solution.

Soldering should be carried out no later than 2 weeks after immersion. Otherwise, the intermetallic compounds formed will not allow the work to be carried out successfully.

The addition of bismuth salts to the solution can make soldering easier. As a result, the immersion layer will contain tin and bismuth. The surface of the board can be treated with preservative varnish.

Subsequent soldering can be carried out directly on the varnished layer. If special circumstances arise that require very critical soldering, the varnish layer can be easily removed with alcohol.

Tinning

It is known that many metals are easily oxidized. Being on the surface in contact with air in the presence of moisture, they turn into oxides, then hydroxides, and are gradually destroyed.

Even in ancient times, they learned to protect metal products by applying coatings of resistant metals. For tinning, tin and its alloys were in most cases used and are still used today.

Previously, boilers and cooking utensils were tinned. Nowadays, many ceramic-metal composites that do not rust are used to make kitchen utensils. There are almost no tinned boilers and pans on the market.

Cans are permanently coated with a layer of tin alloys. Otherwise, instead of canned food, consumers would see a rusty mass. Tin protective coatings are used in radio electronics. Soldering products on such a surface is easy.

There are several tin tinning technologies. The coating can be formed from a melt, solution, wet method or using galvanic baths. When choosing a method, they are guided by the size of the product, its operating conditions, and the presence of production conditions.

Source: https://svaring.com/soldering/pripoj/olovo-dlja-pajaki

Meaning of the word "tin" in 5 dictionaries

All dictionaries Ushakov's Dictionary Arch. Biblical Encyclopedia. Nikifor Encyclopedic Dictionary Ozhegov’s Dictionary Efremova’s Dictionary

tin

tin , tin, pl. no, cf. A soft, malleable silver-white metal.

tin

(Numbers 31:22) is a well-known metal that was used from the earliest times and was one of the items of trade with Tire (Ezek 27:12). Tin, along with other metals, was mined in ancient times on the shores of the Western Ocean. The people of Israel are likened to the dross of tin, copper, iron and lead, despite all the admonitions of God remaining incorrigible in all wickedness and vile abominations (Eze 22:18).

tin

(lat. Stannum), Sn, chemical element of group IV of the periodic table, atomic number 50, atomic mass 118.710. Silvery-white metal, soft and ductile; melting point 231.91 °C. Polymorphic; so-called white tin (or ?-Sn) with a density of 7.228 g/cm3 below 13.2 °C turns into gray tin (?-Sn) with a density of 5.75 g/cm3.

In air it fades, becoming covered with an oxide film that is resistant to chemical reagents. The main industrial minerals are cassiterite and stannine. Tin is a component of many alloys, e.g. bearing (babbitt), printing (gart).

It is used to coat other metals to protect them from corrosion (tinning), and to produce tinplate for cans.

tin

TIN, ah, cf. Chemical element, soft malleable silvery-white metal.

| adj. tin, oh, oh. O. soldier (toy figure of a soldier).

tin

m. Chemical element; a soft, malleable, silver-white metal used for soldering, tinning, preparing alloys, etc.

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Quotes with the word tin

• You can't forge an iron sword from tin, no matter how hard you hammer, but that doesn't mean that tin is useless... George R.R. Martin, "Game of Thrones"

All synonyms for the word tin

Source: https://znachenie-slova.ru/%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE

Tin (Tin) is

Tin is an element of the main subgroup of the fourth group, the fifth period of the periodic system of chemical elements of D.I. Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev, with atomic number 50. It is designated by the symbol Sn (lat. Tin metal).

Under normal conditions, the simple substance tin is a ductile, malleable and fusible shiny metal of a silvery-white color.

Tin forms several allotropic modifications: below 13.2 °C, α-tin (gray tin) with a cubic diamond-type lattice is stable; above 13.2 °C, β-tin (white tin) with a tetragonal crystal lattice is stable.

1.1 Tin Tin Sn

Tin is one of the metals that had a decisive influence on the development of civilization: the Bronze Age (from 4 to 1 thousand years BC) is named after the alloy of tin and copper.

Tin is a soft white metal that can be alloyed with copper to create bronze, one of the first metals discovered by man.

Tin is one of the seven metals of antiquity that is capable of preserving the taste and smell of drinks.

Tin is the metal of Jupiter and was often used to predict the future. This metal is strongly associated with prosperity and abundance, with obtaining some benefits necessary for a person, which are given to a person for fulfilling his duty; for example, a person may serve society or religion. This is the metal of hierarchs, priests and social leaders.

Tin is a substance belonging to the group of light metals. At normal (room) temperature it does not react with either oxygen or water. Over time, it can be covered with a special film that protects the metal from corrosion.

The Tin Story

The first mentions of tin, which, as people previously believed, even had some magical properties, can be found in biblical texts. Tin played a decisive role in improving life during the Bronze Age.

At that time, the most durable metal alloy that man possessed was bronze, which can be obtained by adding the chemical element tin to copper.

For several centuries, everything from tools to jewelry was made from this material.

The Latin name stano, related to the Sanskrit word meaning “steady, durable,” originally referred to an alloy of lead and silver, and later to another alloy imitating it, containing about 67% tin. By the 4th century, this word began to be used to refer to tin itself.

The word tin is common Slavic, having correspondences in the Baltic languages ​​(cf. Lit. alavas, alvas - “tin”, Prussian alwis - “lead”). It is a suffix from the root ol- (cf. Old High German elo - “yellow”, Latin albus - “white”, etc.), so the metal is named by color.

Tin was known to man already in the 4th millennium BC. This metal was inaccessible and expensive, since products made from it are rarely found among Roman and Greek antiquities. There are mentions of tin in the Bible, the Fourth Book of Moses.

Tin is (along with copper) one of the components of bronze, invented at the end or middle of the 3rd millennium BC. uh..

Since bronze was the strongest metal and alloy known at the time, tin was a “strategic metal” throughout the Bronze Age, over 2,000 years (very roughly: 35th to 11th centuries BC).

Finding tin in nature

Tin is a rare trace element; tin ranks 47th in terms of abundance in the earth's crust. The Clark content of tin in the earth's crust ranges, according to various sources, from 2·10−4 to 8·10−3% by mass. The main mineral of tin is cassiterite (tin stone) SnO2, containing up to 78.8% tin. Much less common in nature is stannin (tin pyrite) - Cu2FeSnS4 (27.5% Sn).

Prevalence in nature is shown in the following table

1.3 Prevalence in nature

In unpolluted surface waters, tin is found in submicrogram concentrations. In groundwater its concentration reaches several micrograms per dm³, increasing in the area of ​​tin ore deposits, it enters the water due to the destruction primarily of sulfide minerals, which are unstable in the oxidation zone. PDKSn = 2 mg/dm³.

Tin is an amphoteric element, that is, an element capable of exhibiting acidic and basic properties. This property of tin also determines the characteristics of its distribution in nature. Due to this duality, tin exhibits lithophilic, chalcophilic and siderophilic properties.

Tin in its properties is close to quartz, as a result of which the close connection of tin in the form of oxide (cassiterite) with acidic granitoids (lithophilicity), often enriched in tin, is known, up to the formation of independent quartz-cassiterite veins.

The alkaline behavior of tin is determined by the formation of quite a variety of sulfide compounds (chalcophilicity), up to the formation of native tin and various intermetallic compounds known in ultrabasic rocks (siderophilicity).

  Forms of location

The main form of occurrence of tin in rocks and minerals is scattered (or endocript). However, tin also forms mineral forms, and in this form it is often found not only as an accessory in acidic igneous rocks, but also forms industrial concentrations mainly in oxide (cassiterite SnO2) and sulfide (stannine) forms.

Solid phase. Minerals

In general, the following forms of tin occurrence in nature can be distinguished:

Scattered form; the specific form of tin in this form is unknown. Here we can talk about an isomorphically dispersed form of tin occurrence due to the presence of isomorphism with a number of elements (Ta, Nb, W - with the formation of typically oxygen compounds; V, Cr, Ti, Mn, Sc - with the formation of oxygen and sulfide compounds). If tin concentrations do not exceed certain critical values, then it can isomorphically replace the named elements. The mechanisms of isomorphism are different.

Mineral Form: Tin is found in concentrating minerals. As a rule, these are minerals in which iron Fe+2 is present: biotites, garnets, pyroxenes, magnetites, tourmalines, etc. This relationship is due to isomorphism, for example, according to the scheme Sn+4 + Fe+2 → 2Fe+3. In tin-bearing skarns, high concentrations of tin are found in garnets (up to 5.8 wt.%) (especially in andradites), epidotes (up to 2.84 wt.%), etc.

Source: https://economic-definition.com/Industrial_metals/Olovo_Tin__eto.html

Tin (Sn, Stannum)

Tin is one of the oldest metals known to mankind; the first products made of tin bronze (an alloy containing copper along with tin) date back to the 3rd millennium BC. The Latin name stannum is related to Sanskrit, which has a similar term for an alloy of silver and lead that was extremely durable (calorizator). The name tin itself was derived from several words in Slavic languages ​​denoting white or yellow.

General characteristics of tin

Tin is an element of group XIV of period V of the periodic table of chemical elements D.I. Mendeleev, has an atomic number of 50 and an atomic mass of 118.710. The accepted designation is Sn (from the Latin stannum).

Being in nature

Tin is considered a rare trace element, the main amount is contained in the mineral cassiterite (tin stone), the main deposits of tin are in China, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.

Physical and chemical properties

Tin is a light, ductile, fusible and malleable metal, with a shiny silver-white surface. Inert to air at normal temperatures due to the oxide film formed on the surface.

Daily requirement for tin

The daily requirement for tin has not been clearly established; it is believed that 2-10 mg per day is enough for a person. Every day the body receives up to 50 mg of the trace element with food (with a stated toxic dose of 20 mg), but poisoning does not occur because no more than 5% of tin is absorbed, the rest is naturally excreted in the urine.

Foods rich in tin

The main suppliers of tin for the human body are traditionally considered to be beef, pork, turkey and chicken, milk and dairy products, beans, peas and sunflower seeds, beets and potatoes.

Signs of Tin Deficiency

An insufficient amount of tin in the human body is extremely rare and is characterized by the following symptoms:

• growth slowdown;
• hearing impairment;
• weight loss;
• hair loss;
• imbalance of mineral composition.

Signs of Excess Tin

Excess tin occurs among those who work with tin salts and among those who often eat canned food in iron cans, which tend to deteriorate during long-term storage, therefore, if the contents of the can are not used immediately, it makes sense to transfer the food to a glass or plastic container. Excess tin is characterized by:

• anemia;
• migraines and dizziness;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• enlarged liver;
• inflammatory reactions on the skin;
• loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea;
• changes in skin color (pallor with a gray tint) and gums (blue);
• excitement and unmotivated aggression.

Applications of tin in life

Tin is used both in pure form and in alloys for the manufacture of safe and corrosion-resistant coatings, also in the chemical industry, glassmaking and for dyeing wool.

Beneficial properties of tin and its effect on the body

The role of tin on the processes occurring in the body has not been fully studied; today it is clear that the microelement is involved in growth processes and in redox reactions, is present in the gastric enzyme (gastrin), and contributes to the normal development of bone tissue.

Source: http://www.calorizator.ru/element/sn

Tin Sn chemical element

Chemistry

Tin is one of the few metals known to man since prehistoric times. Tin and copper were discovered before iron, and their alloy, bronze, is apparently the very first “artificial” material, the first material prepared by man. The results of archaeological excavations suggest that even five millennia BC people were able smelt the tin itself. It is known that the ancient Egyptians brought tin for the production of bronze from Persia.

This metal is described under the name “trapu” in ancient Indian literature. The Latin name for tin, stannum, comes from the Sanskrit "sta", meaning "solid".

Tin

Mention of tin is also found in Homer. Almost ten centuries BC, the Phoenicians delivered tin ore from the British Isles, then called the Cassiterides. Hence the name cassiterite, the most important of the tin minerals; its composition is Sn02. Another important mineral is stannin, or tin pyrite, Cu2FeSnS4.

The remaining 14 minerals of element No. 50 are much less common and have no industrial significance.
By the way, our ancestors had richer tin ores than we do. It was possible to smelt metal directly from ores located on the surface of the Earth and enriched during the natural processes of weathering and leaching. Nowadays, such ores no longer exist.

In modern conditions, the process of obtaining tin is multi-stage and labor-intensive. The ores from which tin is now smelted are complex in composition: in addition to element No. 50 (in the form of oxide or sulfide), they usually contain silicon, iron, lead, copper, zinc, arsenic, aluminum, calcium, tungsten and other elements. Modern tin ores rarely contain more than 1% Sn, and placers contain even less: 0.01-0.02% Sn.

This means that to obtain a kilogram of tin, at least a hundredweight of ore must be mined and processed.

How is tin obtained from ores?

The production of element No. 50 from ores and placers always begins with enrichment. Methods for enriching tin ores are quite varied. In particular, the gravity method is used, based on the difference in density of the main and accompanying minerals. At the same time, we must not forget that those who accompany them are not always empty breeds. They often contain valuable metals, such as tungsten, titanium, and lanthanides.

In such cases, they try to extract all the valuable components from the tin ore. The composition of the resulting tin concentrate depends on the raw materials, and also on how this concentrate was obtained. tin in it ranges from 40 to 70%. The concentrate is sent to kilns (at 600-700° C), where relatively volatile impurities of arsenic and sulfur are removed from it.

And most of the iron, antimony, bismuth and some other metals are leached with hydrochloric acid after firing. After this is done, all that remains is to separate the tin from the oxygen and silicon. Therefore, the last stage of rough tin production is smelting with coal and fluxes in reverberatory or electric furnaces.

From a physicochemical point of view, this process is similar to the blast furnace process: carbon “takes away” oxygen from tin, and fluxes transform silicon dioxide into slag, which is light compared to metal.

There are still quite a lot of impurities in rough tin: 5-8%. To obtain graded metal (96.5-99.9% Sn), fire or, less commonly, electrolytic refining is used. And the tin needed by the semiconductor industry with a purity of almost six nines - 99.99985% Sn - is obtained mainly by the method of zone melting.

Another source

In order to get a kilogram of tin, it is not necessary to process a hundredweight of ore. You can do it differently: “peel” 2000 old tin cans. Only half a gram of tin is for each can. But multiplied by the scale of production, these half-grams turn into tens of tons. The share of “secondary” tin in the industry of capitalist countries is approximately a third of total production. There are about one hundred industrial tin recovery plants operating in our country.

How do you remove tin from tinplate? It is almost impossible to do this by mechanical means, so they use the difference in the chemical properties of iron and tin. Most often, tin is treated with chlorine gas. Iron does not react with it in the absence of moisture. Tin combines with chlorine very easily.

A fuming liquid is formed - tin chloride SnCl4, which is used in the chemical and textile industries or sent to an electrolyzer to obtain metal tin from it. And the “whirlwind” will begin again: they will cover steel sheets with this tin and get tinplate. It will be made into jars, the jars will be filled with food and sealed. Then they will open them, eat the cans, and throw away the cans.

And then they (not all, unfortunately) will again end up in “secondary” tin factories.

Other elements cycle in nature with the participation of plants, microorganisms, etc. The tin cycle is the work of human hands.

Tin in alloys

Source: https://natural-museum.ru/chemistry/%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE