tin [Sn]

Introduction

From the Anglo-Saxon tin, named for the Etruscan god Tinia. The symbol Sn is from the Latin word for tin, stannum. Known to ancient civilizations.

Occurrence

• found as tin oxide (cassiterite)
• isolated by heating ore containing tin in the presence of carbon

Characteristics

• 2 allotropes: white & gray
• white tin
  • soft, faintly blueish white, lustrous
  • low-melting crystalline metallic element
  • malleable & ductile at ordinary temperature
• gray tin: powdery & brittle
• resists corrosion
• trialkyl tin & triaryl tin compounds are toxic

Uses

• protective coating
• tin foil
• soft solders, pewter
• alloys
  • bronze is an alloy of 80% copper, 20% tin
• used for casting because of low melting temperature
• stannic oxide & stannic choloride are used to make ceramic glazes & fabric treatment
• used in Pilkington process for making glass panes
• stannous fluoride is used in toothpaste

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

Additional terms

• periodic table