| Tin is obtained from a mineral called | | | | mixes quite well with other metals forming |
| cassiterite which is mined in Brazil, | | | | alloys. This alloy forming quality and low |
| Bolivia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Peru. | | | | meting point makes tin a valuable resource. |
| The Cornish mines in Britain were almost | | | | Tin is non-toxic and does not corrode and |
| wiped during the price collapse in 1985. | | | | there fore it makes the ideal finishing coat |
| Cassiterite is basically tin oxide and needs | | | | for steel cans used to store food and drinks. |
| to be smelted before use. | | | | This is how the tin can is made. |
| | | | |
| The cassiterite is smelted into metal by | | | | Pewter is a popular tin alloy used by |
| reducing it with carbon in a big furnace | | | | craftsmen to create artistic designs used in |
| called the reverbratory furnace in | | | | household decorations. The shiny surface of |
| temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees | | | | pewter lends a certain charm to decorations |
| Celsius. The reverbratory furnace is a | | | | and the ease of shaping this tin alloy allows |
| special furnace that isolates the tin oxide | | | | many an artist to express their creative |
| being smelted from the fuel that is powering | | | | freedom. The fact that pewter will not rust |
| the furnace. The hot gases that result from | | | | or corrode ensures a long life for works of |
| the burning of the fuel are the ones that are | | | | art. |
| acting on the tin oxide. | | | | |
| | | | Bronze is also an alloy of tin composed of |
| The challenge in smelting casserite is that | | | | tin and copper. Bronze metal were used by |
| it is usually mined with other minerals mixed | | | | the ancient Roman army to forge their |
| in it. Therefore, it is necessary to refine | | | | protective body armor and spear tips. Higher |
| the tin to make it commercially viable. | | | | grade tin bronzes are also used to make |
| Refining the tin in a furnace involves | | | | bells. |
| various procedures before pure tin can be | | | | |
| produced. For example, iron is removed from | | | | Another alloy of tin that is very important |
| the molten tin by passing steam through it. | | | | today is the solder. Solders are used in |
| Tin that are very impure can be refined using | | | | electronics to create connections between |
| electrolysis to reach a pure level. | | | | microchips and the printed circuit boards |
| | | | that they sit on. |
| One of the main properties of tin is that it | | | | |