Terne

Terne is an alloy coating that was historically made of lead and tin used to cover steel, in the ratio of 20% tin and 80% lead. Currently, lead has been replaced with the metal zinc and is used in the ratio of 50% tin and 50% zinc..^{[citation needed]}

Usage

Terne is used to coat sheet steel to inhibit corrosion. It is one of the cheapest alloys suitable for this, and the tin content is kept at a minimum while still adhering to a hot-dipped iron sheet, to minimize the cost.^{[citation needed]}

Terne metal must be painted. If the paint is maintained, terne metal can last 90 years or more. Terne coated stainless steel (TCS) or copper is commonly used to replace terne metal roofs as either material will outlast terne metal. TCS or copper roofing can last 50 years or more unpainted.^{[citation needed]}

Terne II uses zinc in place of lead for environmental reasons. The new terne coated stainless is called TCSII.^{[citation needed]}

Terminology

The term "nonterne" is frequently used to refer to substances or materials that do not contain terne or have not had terne used in their creation, as in the expression "nonterne-plated oil filters".^{[citation needed]}

Terne-coated steel is also known as terne-metal and often referred to as "tin" (see the Slate Roof Bible). Terne-coated steel can still be purchased at most roofing supply stores.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• International Tin Council
• Tinning
• Cassiterides
• Tin pest
• Whisker (metallurgy) (tin whiskers)

External links

• Places to learn Terne Tin