Tin

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A chemical element and a main group metal, Tin is generated via the long S-process in low-to-medium mass stars. It arises via beta decay of heavy isotopes of indium.  Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group-14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states. This silvery, malleable post-transition metal is not easily oxidized and is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion. The first alloy, used in large scale for thousands of years, was bronze, an alloy of tin and copper. Pewter, which is an alloy of 85–90% tin with the remainder commonly consisting of copper, antimony and lead, was historically used for flatware. In modern times tin is used in many alloys, most notably tin/lead soft solders, typically containing 60% or more of tin. Another large application for tin is corrosion-resistant tin plating of steel.

Physical properties

Tin is a malleable, ductile and highly crystalline silvery-white metal. When a bar of tin is bent, a crackling sound known as the tin cry can be heard due to the twinning of the crystals. Tin melts at a low temperature of about 232 °C (449.6 °F), which is further reduced to 177.3 °C (351 °F) for 11-nm particles. Tin becomes a superconductor below 3.72 K.

Chemical properties

Tin resists corrosion from water but can be attacked by acids and alkalis. Tin can be highly polished and is used as a protective coat for other metals. In this case the formation of a protective oxide layer is used to prevent further oxidation. This oxide layer forms on pewter and other tin alloys. Tin acts as a catalyst when oxygen is in solution and helps accelerate chemical attack.