The Probert Encyclopaedia of Science & Technology

TIN

Tin is a silver-white coloured, lustrous metal element with the symbol Sn. It occurs commonly in the ore cassiterite, which is found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Nigeria and Cornwall. Tin is highly ductile and malleable, takes a high polish, is a poor conductor of electricity and is not easily acted upon by the air leading to it often being used to plate iron to protect it from rusting.
Tin is widely used in the manufacture of tin plate, Britannia Metal, bronze, gun-metal and pewter. Heated in air tin combines with oxygen to form tin oxide, a white insoluble powder, used under the name of putty powder for polishing purposes.
Research Tin