Tinplate and Uses -

Tinplate and Uses

What is tinplate?

Tinplate is light gauge, cold-reduced low-carbon steel sheet or strip, coated on both faces with commercially pure tin. It thus combines in one material the strength and formability of steel and the corrosion resistance, weldability and good appearance with lustre of tin. Within this broad description, there exists today an extremely wide range of products, tailor-made to meet particular end-use requirements. Production of the steel base and its subsequent coating with tin are independent of each other, so that any set of properties in the steel, can in theory be combined with any tin coating.

The composition of the steel used for tinplate is closely controlled and according to the grade chosen and its manner of processing, various types with different formabilities (“tempers”) can be produced. Tinplate is sold in a range of steel thicknesses, from around 0.5 mm to 0.13 mm. The steel can be coated with differing thicknesses of tin, and even different thicknesses on the two faces (differential coatings) may be produced to cater for varying conditions at the internal and external surfaces of a container.

A variety of surface finishes are also produced for diverse applications.

Tinplate has a special passivation treatment to stabilise the surface and improve adhesion of lacquers; it also carries a very thin film of an oil to improve its handling and fabrication properties. This oil is, of course, compatible with food products.

The resulting wide variety of materials gives the user a great flexibility in choice and the ability to select precisely the right material for a given end use.

Uses of Tinplate

a) By far the largest application of tinplate is in packaging and it is ideally suited for this purpose, by virtue of it being non-toxic, light in weight, strong, corrosion resistant and easily formed, soldered and welded; it also provides an excellent printing surface. The tin coating has a low melting point, possesses lubricant qualities and imparts a good appearance.
b) Cans made from tinplate are easy to handle, store and recycle.
c) Tinplate is primarily used for packing foodstuffs and beverages, but it is also used in containers for oils, grease, paints, powders, polishes, waxes, chemicals and many other products.
d) Aerosol containers and caps and closures are also made from tinplate.
Painting Line Outside 700pcs/Hr
Inside & band 350pcs/Hr

Engineering Uses of Tinplate

The excellent fabricability of tinplate, its solderability, attractive appearance, and corrosion resistance have led to a diversity of other uses besides packaging, although none of these individual uses represents a large tonnage outlet. A number of automotive applications exist, such as in the manufacture of engine gaskets, brake line tubes and oil filters.