Tinplate is the common name for electroplated tin sheet steel, the English abbreviation is SPTE, which refers to cold-rolled low-carbon sheet or steel strip coated with commercial pure tin on both sides, also known as tin-plated iron. Tin has stable chemical properties and is not easily corroded.
People often plate tin on the outside of the iron sheet to prevent the iron sheet from rusting. This kind of tin “clothing” is known as “tinplate”. Tin mainly plays a role in avoiding corrosion and rust. It combines the strength and formability of steel with the corrosion resistance, solderability and beauty of tin. Its appearance is connected to a material, which has the characteristics of corrosion resistance, non-toxicity, high strength and good ductility. 1 ton of tin can cover more than 7000 square meters of iron sheets. Therefore, tinplate is very common and very cheap. The biggest “customer” is the canning industry.
If you pay attention to protection, tinplate can be used for more than ten years without rust. However, once the tin “clothing” is accidentally broken, the iron sheet is quickly corroded (electrochemical corrosion), and before long, the entire tinplate is covered with red-brown iron rust spots. Therefore, when using tinplate, care should be taken not to damage the tin layer, nor to expose it to moisture or heat.
