Tin
Real Metals · Uncommon · Timeless
Tin's primary historical importance was as the key ingredient in bronze, the alloy that defined an entire age of human civilization. On its own, tin is too soft for most structural uses, but its corrosion resistance makes it a valuable coating material.
Identity
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Silvery-white, soft, produces a distinctive crackling sound when bent called 'tin cry'
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 7.29 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 232 °C
- Boiling point
- 2602 °C
- Lighter
- Frostcast Iron
- Denser
- Manganese
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Tensile strength
- 15 MPa
- Softer
- Mercury
- Harder
- Aluminum
- Workability
- Easy
- Brittleness
- Moderate
- Malleability
- High
- Ductility
- Moderate
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- high
- Reactivity
- low
Lore & Narrative
The tin trade routes of the ancient world were among the most important commercial networks in history. Tin had to be brought from Cornwall, Afghanistan, and Anatolia to meet bronze-smiths in Mesopotamia and Egypt, creating some of the first long-distance trade networks.
- Notable uses
- Bronze alloy, tin plating, solder, pewter alloy
- Forge uses
- alloys, plating, solder
- Worldbuilding traits
- Ancient, alloy-base, soft, corrosion-resistant
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