Tin

Tin! (Sn) By: Colby Shields

**Chemical Characteristics:** Just like the semi-conductors silicon and germanium, tin’s chemical properties fall between those of metals and nonmetals. Tin can resist corrosion from sea and soft tap water, but is not resistant to strong acids like alkalis, and acid salts. Tin is a self-protecting metal like lead, but unlike lead, tin has a high luster. Ordinary tin is composed of nine stable isotopes. However, it is also known to be 18 unstable isotopes. When tin is heated in the air, it forms SnO2 (oxide of tin) which is commonly used to make tin cans.

Tin is a malleable element that is able to mold or be shaped without braking. Tin can be molded at ordinary temperatures but is fragile when cooled. A strange crackling sound known as the “tin cry” can be heard when a bar or block of tin is being bent. Tin is silvery-white and looks much like aluminum, but feels more like lead because it is very dense.
 * Physical Characteristics:**

The largest natural deposits of tin are in Malaysia, which produces around one-third of the world’s output. There, it is naturally found in deposits of cassiterite as SnO2. Tin is also found in Bolivia, Thailand and Russia. It is also known that small amounts are mined in Canada.
 * Where is Tin Found in Nature?**

Since tin is an expensive metal, it is usually recovered from scrap tin-plate. In other words, tin is recyclable.
 * How is Tin Recovered and Purified?**

Primarily, we use tin for coating other metals that corrode. For example: iron corrodes and rusts if it is not coated with a thin layer of tin. By coating iron with a thin layer, it is now protected from rust.
 * How do we Use Tin?**

1.	When Tin bonds with Iron it is used for a protective coating from corrosion for lead and steel. Tin-plated steel containers are used for food preservation, and for making tin cans. 2.	Everybody uses tin! In the 17th century, tin was often used for utensils and tools. Nowadays, tin is used to coat iron. A thin layer of tin prevents the oxidations that would otherwise corrode iron. Companies that make canned soup or beverage cans use tin in order to preserve their finished product and protect them from corroding. 3.	As far as we know, there is no current shortage of tin. However it is an expensive metal. Thus meaning that it is much appreciated if tin is recycled.
 * What products are made from Tin?**