Get in touch at sales@silchrome.co.uk or visit us in Leeds

0113 263 7808

Metal Finishing Services

What is Tin Plating?

Tin Plating, also called ‘Tinning’ is a low cost electro-plating process used extensively throughout the food, electrical and even commercial applications. It provides components with a soft, ductile protective coating. It aids solderability, can improve corrosion protection and acts as a protective barrier against oxidation. Tin Plating is available in both Bright Acid and Dull finishes.

What is the Process?

Tin Plating is suitable for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and can be performed on brass, copper and aluminium as well as steel. Tin Plating is an electro-plating technique in which parts are placed into a vat containing an electrolytic solution and a current is run into the bath promoting the build-up of the Tin onto the component. In order to obtain the best possible results, parts will first be subject to a number of pre-treatments depending on their material which are all carried out in house.

What Are the Advantages?

Tin provides a very good level of wear and corrosion protection for its price point. In particular Tin Plating enhances the resistance against chemical corrosion, especially organic acids and sulphur compounds. Most people are familiar with Tin due to Tin Cans, but these are actually manufactured from sheet steel coated with a thin layer of Tin. Tin Plating is FDA approved, hence its popular use within the food industry.  

Tin is also popular with electrical manufacturers as a way of inhibiting oxidation. Both Silver and Copper have a natural tendency to oxidise and erode in exposed environments. A thin layer of Tin can inhibit oxidation and will extend the life expectancy of components. Tin is non-magnetic, meaning it wouldn’t interfere in the use of RF components, and has a good level of electrical conductivity. Tin is a very soft and malleable material and as such greatly improves the anti-galling and solderability for parts.

Specifications Offered:

ASTM B545, MIL-T-10757, BS 1872, Def Stan 03-08

What We Offer

Silchrome Plating are able to provide Tin Plating as well as associated pre and post plating processes including polishing. We offer both Dull Tin Plating and Bright Acid Tin Plating.

Dull Tin Plating: 1600mm x 600mm x 600mm

Bright Acid Tin Plating:1600mm x 600mm x 600mm

For small sized components requiring Bright Acid Tin Plating we also have a barrel plating facilities capable of processing small to medium batches.

All of our processes are carried in house at our production facility in Leeds and Silchrome Plating are IS0 9001 AND ISO 14001 approved. 

Find out more about our Plating Process HERE

bright and dull tin electro-platingtin plating yorkshire uk gbtin plating metal finishing silchrome

  • The official logo for the Surface Engineering Association.
  • The official logos for the ISOQAR and UKAS industry regulatory bodies.
  • The official logo for the Institute of Materials Finishing.
  • The official logos for the ISOQAR and UKAS industry regulatory bodies.