Tin

Tin

Tin, Sn, is a metallic main group element, found in Group IVb of the periodic table.

Atomic Number : 50
Relative Atomic Mass : 118.69

Discovery

Tin was known from ancient times.

Occurrence

Tin is known to occur in elemental form in some locations. However, the mineral tinstone or cassterite, SnO2, is the principal ores.

Extraction

Preparation

Manufacture

Properties

Tin is a soft white lustrous metal with a blue tinge.
Tin is harder than lead but softer than zinc.

Reactions

Tin is not attacked by either air or water.
Tin reacts with hydrochloric acid to form stannous chloride.
Sn + 2 HCl ==> SnCl2 + H2

Uses

Tin is used

in the manufacture of tinplate,
is used in solders,
in a range of alloys including
- Plumbers Alloy (33% lead and 66% tin),
- Pewter (75% tin and 25% lead),
- Type Metal (75% lead, 5% tin, and 20% antimony),
- Bearing Metal (82% tin,14% antimony, and 4% copper) and
- Phosphor Tin (made by adding phosphorus to molten tin).
in Phosphor-Bronze.

Start of Hypertext .... Elements .... Compounds .... Index

Hypertext Copyright (c) 2000 Donal O'Leary. All Rights Reserved.