Abstract

Tin is one of the world’s most ancient metals. In most cases, tin is used on or in a manufactured material in small amounts, much out of proportion to the purpose it serves. Tin in some form has been associated with the economic and cultural growth of civilization. Food preservation and canning developed rapidly with the invention of tin-coated steel; transportation and high speed machinery became a reality with the invention of tin-base bearing metals; the casting of type metal was an important advance in printing technology; bronze alloys became weapons, tools, and architectural objects; and telecommunications and electronic equipment depend on the tin-lead soldered joint. New solders are expected to be lead-free. In modern technology, uses of tin include the plating of protective coatings, nuclear energy, plastics and other polymers, agriculture, biochemistry, electronic packaging, and glassmaking. Physical properties, chemical properties, processing, economic aspects, specifications and analytical methods, health and safety factors, and uses of tin are discussed.