Tin Manufacturing on the Rise

Tin is one of the oldest metals known to humans and is acknowledged as one of the basic elements in the periodic table. The utility of tin has been getting its due recognition with tin's extensive use in different industries worldwide. Humans can safely use the metal without any side effects unlike some other dangerous metals such as lead or mercury. With its anti-corrosive quality and the ability to protect other surfaces by means of applying a layer of tinned coating, tin manufacturing is on the rise.

Right from the Bronze Age, tin has also been used in combination with copper for the making of varied tools, weapons, and idols, and artifacts. It is said that the metal of tin was first extracted out of tin mining ore in Turkey around 3500 B.C. Impurities are then removed both by physical and chemical processes. After purification of the tin ore, it is sent for smelting with carbon at extreme high temperature (about 2500 degrees Fahrenheit) in a furnace. The ensuing fumes of carbon monoxide from the coal in the furnace results in the reaction of tin ore with the carbon monoxide fumes to obtain tin in a crude form.

The next step in tin manufacturing involves refining the crude tin. This process is administered through another furnace with a lower degree of heat, and involves liquidation which helps in the elimination of further remnants of impure particles. Usually the refined tin that one gets after the liquidation process is almost 100 percent but if one needs to have the guaranteed purest form of tin then the liquidated and refined tin has to be subjected to electrolytic refining.

The uses of tin are wide, both in the engineering sector as well as domestic sector. It is used for coating different metals and alloys such as iron, copper, pipes etc. Electro-plating and soldering is carried out using tin. There are unlimited applications with tin in industries such as chemical, textile, paper, pharmaceutical and electronic fields. Tin is known for its non-toxic quality and does not react with either water or air. It is used widely in the making of containers for toothpaste and food items such as biscuits and cookies. Because it is non-toxic, it is a safe material to be used when dealing with food items to be consumed, and its use in a wide range of other fields is being tested.