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Applying a coating of tin to thin steel sheet either by dipping in molten metal or by electrolytic deposition (electroplating); almost all tinplate is now produced by the latter process, in which the tin coating is applied without heat. Essentially a sandwich in which the core is strip steel, tinplate has the strength and formability of steel combined with the noncorrosive and nontoxic properties of tin, and additionally is easy to solder. It is used for containers for food and beverages, paints, oils, tobacco, and numerous other products, as well as in toys, baking equipment, and parts for radio and other electronic equipment. Modern materials, including stainless steel and plastics, have replaced tinplate in many common applications.
This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise. For the full entry on tinplating, visit Britannica.com.
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