Refined Tin is high-purity metallic tin (Sn) produced after smelting and purification of tin ore (cassiterite – SnO₂) to remove metallic and non-metallic impurities. It represents the standardized, commercially usable form of tin and serves as the primary feedstock for solders, tin alloys, coatings, chemicals, and electronic materials.
All industrial tin products—including ingots, rods, bars, granules, sheets, solders, and plating anodes—originate from refined tin.
Basic Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Symbol | Sn |
| Allotrope in Use | White Tin (β-Sn) |
| Crystal Structure | Body-Centered Tetragonal (BCT) |
| Typical Purity | 99.85% – 99.999% |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Tin (Sn) | ≥ 99.85 – 99.99 |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Antimony (Sb) | ≤ 0.01 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.01 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.01 |
| Bismuth (Bi) | ≤ 0.01 |
✔ Electronics and chemical grades exceed 99.99% Sn
✔ Purity directly affects solder reliability, corrosion resistance, tin pest behavior,
and whisker formation
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties reflect pure β-tin and are independent of product shape or size.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ~15 – 30 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~10 – 20 MPa |
| Elongation | ~40 – 60% |
| Hardness | ~5 – 10 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | ~50 GPa |
| Creep Resistance | Low |
Refined tin is soft, highly ductile, and non-structural, but ideal for melting, alloying, coating, and joining processes.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ~7.31 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 231.9 °C |
| Boiling Point | ~2602 °C |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~15% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~66 W/m·K |
| Magnetic Behavior | Diamagnetic |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metallic |
Strengthening & Tin Pest Behavior
Refined tin is not heat-treatable and does not benefit from precipitation or work-hardening. Strength improvement is possible only through alloying.
Below 13.2 °C, white tin (β-Sn) may transform into gray tin (α-Sn), a phenomenon known as tin pest, causing volume expansion, cracking, and disintegration.
Tin pest is mitigated by minor alloying additions (Sb, Bi, Pb, Ag) and controlled storage or service temperatures.
Corrosion & Chemical Resistance
Refined tin exhibits excellent corrosion resistance due to the formation of a stable SnO₂ passive film.
✔ Resistant to water, humid air, organic acids, and food environments
⚠ Limited resistance to strong mineral acids, strong alkalis, and high-temperature
oxidation
Refining & Processing Properties
Refined tin is produced through smelting of cassiterite followed by fire refining and, for high-purity grades, electrolytic or vacuum refining.
✔ Excellent castability
✔ Low melting temperature
✔ Easy remelting and recycling
✔ Excellent wettability
✔ Low oxidation losses
✔ Energy-efficient processing
Available Forms
✔ Ingots
✔ Bars and rods
✔ Granules and pellets
✔ Sheets and foils
✔ Powder and wire
✔ Electroplating anodes
Applications
🔌 Lead-free solder alloys and tin plating
⚙️ Bronze, Babbitt, and specialty alloys
🥫 Tinplate for food and beverage packaging
🧪 Tin salts, catalysts, and chemical linings
🏭 Anti-corrosion and decorative coatings
Advantages
✔ High purity and consistency
✔ Excellent corrosion resistance
✔ Low energy consumption during processing
✔ Non-toxic and RoHS-compliant
✔ Versatile across electronics, food, chemical, and metallurgical industries
Refined Tin vs Tin Alloys
| Feature | Refined Tin | Tin Alloys |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Very low | Moderate to high |
| Melting Point | Very low | Controlled |
| Primary Use | Feedstock, coating | Structural / functional |
| Alloying Role | Base metal | Finished material |
Why Choose Refined Tin?
✔ High-purity metal feedstock is required
✔ Reliable soldering and coating performance is critical
✔ Corrosion resistance and food safety are essential
✔ Precise alloy chemistry control is needed
✔ Electronics or chemical-grade standards must be met
Refined tin is the foundation material for the global solder, coating, and tin-alloy industries, providing unmatched purity, consistency, and processing reliability.