Tin is used through the world in a range of different applications. It is commonly used as coatings on other metals, such as steel sheets that are manufactured into beverage cans and other food containers. This metal is also found in ornamental products as well as costume jewelry.

Tin can be alloyed to other base metals to improve their properties. It is often added to copper to harden this soft metal so that it can be machined while not making the copper brittle. Tin has the chemical element symbol of Sn. There are several different grades of Tin based on their composition, purity levels and how they will be used.

Ultra Pure 99.99% Tin

Pure tin at 99.99% has been refined to the point where there are miniscule traces of purities in its composition. As ultra-pure tin, this metal is used for applications where low tin grades and standard tin is not applicable, such as aerospace and military uses. This type of tin contains exceptionally low levels of cadmium, copper, lead, and antimony. It can be obtained as shots, bars, ingots, and pigs. This tin has a typical melting point of 450 °F and a boiling point of 4118 °F.

Grade A Tin

Grade A Tin is a metal that contains extremely low levels of lead. Its purity level is at 99.85% and is available as tin sheet, granular, bar, cast anode, wire, ingot, and shot. This tin is used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and applications including electronics, construction, aerospace, and telecommunications. Grade A tin has a melting point of 450 °F and a boiling point of 4118 °F. This tin can be formed into tinplate for food containers and cans.

Lesser Tin Grades

Lesser tin grades are available as they can come as Grade B, Grade C, Grade D, Grade E and so forth. The grade of the tin will be based on the purity level and what is added into the metal. Grade M tins come in powder form and contains a purity level of 99.85%. The tin powder can be used for self-lubricating bearings, chemical formulations, cutting tools, friction materials and metal bonded abrasive wheels. Lesser grades of tin are commonly used to make general-purpose tin alloys including solder and bronze.

When it comes to tin, it is not found in a pure state. It has to be refined, smelted, and concentrated to remove its impurities to reach such high concentration levels. There are many methods to refining tin, including using boiling and electrolytic processes. By obtaining high-quality tin at its purest levels from Belmont Metals, you will be able to use it for a wide range of applications.