Summary of the Function of Sn in Iron and Steel

Abstract

In the steel industry Sn is always regarded as harmful impurity element, one of "Five harmful elements", which affects the welding property and equality of steel product especially the equality of continuously cast bloom and causes hot brittleness, temper brittleness, crack and fracture. While Sn element also has a vital influence on free-cutting steel, electrical sheet, cast iron and stainless steel. NSSC developed ferritic stainless steel containing low Sn and Ni content improving the corrosion resistance performance and the workability significantly. So the Sn element, as cheap alternative adding element, can substitute for Cr and Ni. It's helpful to study the effect of tin in the iron and steel and develop new stainless steel products of high equality conserving chromium resources. In this way it will promote the variety and technique of stainless steel, ensure the independence on resources and conserve resources remarkably.