Why isn't tin used for more stuff?

[Sage In All Fields]

Think about it, it's cheap, has a low melting point but not one that's too low and can be manipulated with simple tools. Why aren't people buying tin and making their own simple electrical components with this stuff?

 

[Bob Chipman's Podiatrist]

If I had to take a wild guess, it's likely because many metals, including tin, are naturally found as an oxide. There is a lot of processing that is required to convert a metal oxide to an elemental metal. If companies are going to go through all of the effort to do this, it just makes more sense to do it for lighter/stronger materials like aluminum and titanium. I could be wrong though.

 

[Reverend]

Cancer and idiot children eat it and die.

 

[Lmove]

Tin comparatively with other metals commonly used in electrical engineering is shit. As in, it holds high resistance, and it is more expensive than you think.

Tin cost around 18k per metric ton and its conductivity is 8.7x10^6. While, its most used adversary:
Copper cost around 7k per metric ton. And its conductivity is 5.98x10^7. here is an article that shows the conductivity of metals.

 

[Sage In All Fields]

Cancer and idiot children eat it and die.

Cancer?

 

[Chicken Picnic]

i remember in the Bill Wurst history of the world, he mentioned people back in the day stopped using bronze (copper + tin compound) in favour of iron cause it was easier to get hold of. I assume it's still similar reasons today- there's things that are easier to get hold of/make that do the same job or better.

 

[Reverend]

Cancer?

I'm thinking lead not tin.

 

[Smug Chuckler]

Tin comparatively with other metals commonly used in electrical engineering is shit. As in, it holds high resistance, and it is more expensive than you think.

Tin cost around 18k per metric ton and its conductivity is 8.7x10^6. While, its most used adversary:
Copper cost around 7k per metric ton. And its conductivity is 5.98x10^7. here is an article that shows the conductivity of metals.

and both metals make bronze to make all kinds of stuff.

 

[FruitFighter]

Tin comparatively with other metals commonly used in electrical engineering is shit. As in, it holds high resistance, and it is more expensive than you think.

Tin cost around 18k per metric ton and its conductivity is 8.7x10^6. While, its most used adversary:
Copper cost around 7k per metric ton. And its conductivity is 5.98x10^7. here is an article that shows the conductivity of metals.

Pretty much this. I might be an idiot, but I'll try to also add some more info. Tin vs copper isn't really apples to apples. Copper oxidizes relatively quickly but can conduct electricity well, whereas tin is prized for its resistance to corrosion. As stated above, tin isn't really used as wiring because it's terrible at being a conductor. One notable exception is common electrical solder, which is usually 60% tin and 40% lead. This works fine because tin is basically being used to bond the connection over tiny distances. Tin was typically used in applications where corrosion resistance and machinability was key. Tin cans, tin horns, tin toys, you get the idea. Over time technology made cheaper alternatives through the development of plastics, electroplating, and effective aluminum (a nice alternative to tin in some applications) refining. Today tin is still around, but it just isn't used in its pure form as much. Crack heads still love it though since it's expensive and nice to steal.