Designation: A 626/A 626M – 03

Standard Specification for

Tin Mill Products, Electrolytic Tin Plate, Double Reduced1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 626/A 626M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 3. Ordering Information

1.1 This specification covers double-reduced electrolytic tin 3.1 Orders for product under this specification shall include
plate produced from low-carbon cold-reduced steel furnished the following information, as required and applicable, to
in coils and cut sizes for use predominately in the manufacture describe adequately the desired product:
of cans. It is furnished in commercially available tin coating 3.1.1 Name of product (double-reduced electrolytic tin
weights [masses] and is normally supplied with a trimmed plate) (Section 1),
edge. 3.1.2 Tin coating weight [mass] designation, and marking, if
1.2 This specification is applicable to orders in either any (Section 5, Table 1, and Fig. 1 and Fig. 2),
inch-pound units (as A 626) which is supplied in thicknesses 3.1.3 Surface appearance and finish (Section 6),
from 0.0050 to 0.0118 in. or SI units [as A 626M] which is 3.1.4 Chemical treatment (Section 7),
supplied in thicknesses from 0.127 to 0.300 mm. 3.1.5 Oiling (Section 8),
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to 3.1.6 Thickness (Specification A 623 [A 623M]) (consistent
be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown with the intended application),
in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact 3.1.7 Coil width or cut size in increments of 1⁄16 in. or 1 mm,
equivalents. Therefore, each system must be used indepen- 3.1.8 Due to the very distinct directional properties, rolling
dently of the other. Combining values from the two systems direction must be specified on cut sizes by underlining the slit
may result in nonconformance with this specification. (rolling width) dimension (Section 4) (consistent with the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the intended application),
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.9 Steel type (Specification A 623 [A 623M]),
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.10 Mechanical requirement designation (Specification
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- A 623 [A 623M]) (consistent with the intended application),
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.11 Intended application,
3.1.12 Quantity in base boxes SITAS (see Note 4),
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.13 On coils, specify minimum or range of acceptable
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 inside diameters. The standard inside diameter is approxi-
A 623 Specification for Tin Mill Products, General Require- mately 16 in. if ordered to Specification A 626 [410 mm if
ments ordered to Specification A 626M]. Coils should be specified to
A 623M Specification for Tin Mill Products, General Re- a maximum coil weight if ordered to Specification A 626 [mass
quirements [Metric] if ordered to Specification A 626M] or maximum outside
A 630 Test Methods for Determination of Tin Coating diameter, or both,
Weights for Hot-Dip and Electrolytic Tin Plate 3.1.14 Packaging,
A 754 Test Method for Coating Thickness by X-Ray Fluo- 3.1.15 Special requirements, where applicable (J = plate or
rescence K = plate), and
B 339 Specification for Pig Tin 3.1.16 ASTM specification number and year of issue.
NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is as follows: 1000 base boxes,
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
double-reduced electrolytic tin plate, D 50/25, melted, CDC, DOS,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 0.0066-in. thickness, 30 by coil, MR, DR-8 CA, for 307 by 401 welded
A01.20 on Tin Mill Products. can bodies in accordance with Specification A 626/A 626M - XX. [250
Current edition approved October 1, 2003. Published December 2003. Originally SITAS, double-reduced electrolytic tin plate, D 5.6/2.8, melted, CDC,
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as A 626/A 626M - 98. DOS, 0.17-mm thickness, 760 by coil, MR, DR-8, for 99 by 105 mm
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or welded can bodies to Specification A 626/A 626M - XX.]
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM NOTE 2—A typical ordering description for cut sizes is as follows: 500
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on base boxes, single reduced electrolytic tin plate, No. 25, DOS, MR, T-2
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 626/A 626M – 03
TABLE 1 Electrolytic Tin Plate Coating Weight [Mass] 5.1.1 Electrolytic tin plate is commonly produced to the
NOTE 1—Listed as follows are commonly produced coating weights class designations shown in Table 1. Other combinations of
[masses]. By agreement between the producer and the purchaser, other coatings may be specified by agreement between the producer
combinations of the coatings may be specified and the appropriate and the purchaser.
minimum average test values will apply. 5.1.2 Differentially coated tin plate is a product having one
Nominal Tin Coating
Minimum Average Coating surface more heavily tin coated than the opposite. The class
Weight [Mass] each Sur-
Designation No. Weight [Mass] each Sur-
face Test Value, lb/base
designation is expressed by showing the two tin coating
face, lb/base box [g/m2] weights [masses] separated by a slash mark, for example, 50/25
boxA [g/m2]
5 [0.6/0.6]B 0.025/0.025 [0.6/0.6] 0.02/0.02 [0.5/0.5] [D 5.6/2.8]. The first number will represent the coating weight
10 [1.1/1.1] 0.05/0.05 [1.1/1.1] 0.04/0.04 [0.9/0.9] [mass] on the outside of the coil or the top surface of the cut
15 [1.7/1.7] 0.075/0.075 [1.7/1.7] 0.06/0.06 [1.4/1.4] sizes.
20 [2.2/2.2] 0.10/0.10 [2.2/2.2] 0.08/0.08 [1.8/1.8]
25 [2.8/2.8] 0.125/0.125 [2.8/2.8] 0.11/0.11 [2.5/2.5] 5.1.3 In order to distinguish material having differential
35 [3.9/3.9] 0.175/0.175 [3.9/3.9] 0.16/0.16 [3.6/3.6] coatings, the face with the heavier coating is normally marked.
50 [5.6/5.6] 0.25/0.25 [5.6/5.6] 0.23/0.23 [5.2/5.2]
75 [8.4/8.4] 0.375/0.375 [8.4/8.4] 0.35/0.35 [7.8/7.8]
By arrangement, a special marking can be supplied on the
100 [11.2/11.2] 0.50/0.50 [11.2/11.2] 0.45/0.45 [10.1/10.1] light-coated face (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The letter D is shown
D 50/25 [D 5.6/2.8]C 0.25/0.125 [5.6/2.8] 0.23/0.11 [5.2/2.5] along with the coating number to indicate the side of the plate
D 75/25 [D 8.4/2.8] 0.375/0.125 [8.4/2.8] 0.35/0.11 [7.8/2.5]
D 100/25 [D 11.2/2.8] 0.50/0.125 [11.2/2.8] 0.45/0.11 [10.1/2.5]
to be marked.
D 100/50 [D 11.2/5.6] 0.50/0.25 [11.2/5.6] 0.45/0.23 [10.1/5.2] 5.2 Sampling for Tin Coating Weights [Masses]:
D 135/25 [D 15.2/2.8] 0.675/0.125 [15.2/2.8] 0.62/0.11 [14.0/2.5]
5.2.1 When the purchaser wishes to make tests to ascertain
A
The minimum spot value shall be not less than 80 % of the minimum average
coating weight [mass] (see 5.3 and 5.4).
compliance with the requirements of this specification for tin
B
Some No. 5 melted applications may require revised minimum and maximum coating weight [mass] on a lot of any specific item of
levels for fully alloyed end uses.
C
electrolytic tin plate, the following procedure shall be used:
The letter D on differentially coated tin plate indicates the coated surface to be
marked. For example, the examples indicate that the heavy-coated side is marked 5.2.1.1 Coils—One test strip shall be taken at random from
(see 5.1.2 and 5.1.3). a representative section of each coil across its width. A
minimum of three test strips, each taken from different coils
from any one item of a specific lot shall be selected.
BA, 7C, 0.0110 in. thickness, 30 3⁄4 in. by 30 7⁄16 in., for 307 diameter 5.2.1.2 From one or two coil lots, each coil should be
general line rings in accordance with Specification A 626/A 626M-XX. sampled. A minimum of three randomly selected test strips
[100 SITAS, single reduced electrolytic tin plate, 2.8/2.8, DOS, MR, DR-8 shall represent the lot.
CA, 7C, 0.28 mm thickness, 781 by 773 mm, for 99 by 105 mm welded
can bodies to Specification A 626/A626M-XX.] 5.2.1.3 Cut Sizes—One sheet shall be taken at random from
NOTE 3—The production of coils does not afford the same opportunity
each 50 packages or part thereof, with a minimum of three
for inspection, grading, and sorting as does the production of cut sizes. different sample plates, each taken from different bundles from
Accordingly, appropriate processing and quality control procedures are any one item of a specific shipment.
required by the purchaser to obtain optimum utilization of the material. 5.2.2 Each test sheet shall be spot tested at a minimum of
Cut sizes are line inspected visually and mechanically during production. three locations across the rolling direction of the sheet. Spot
Sheets having surface imperfections that will not interfere with their
tests are customarily disks or squares 4 in.2 [26 cm2] in area;
utilization are included.
other sizes may be used. In order to secure representative
NOTE 4—In inch-pound units, double-reduced electrolytic tin plate is
supplied on an area basis expressed in base boxes. In coils, the number of
samples, the following procedure shall be used:
base boxes is computed from the measured length and the specified width. 5.2.2.1 All test spots are taken on a center line at right
In cut sizes, the number of base boxes is computed from the specified angles to the rolling direction.
length and width dimensions and sheet count. [In SI units, double-reduced 5.2.2.2 No test spots shall be closer than 1 in. [25 mm] from
electrolytic tin plate is supplied on an area basis expressed in SITAS. In
the mill-trimmed edge of the test sheets.
coils, the number of SITAS is computed from the measured length and the
specified width. In cut sizes, the number of SITAS is computed from the 5.2.2.3 No test spots shall be closer than 2 in. [50 mm] from
specified length and width dimensions and sheet count.] For calculating one another.
mass, the density of steel for tin mill products is 0.2836 lb/in.3[7850 5.2.2.4 If the minimum of three test spots are taken, they
kg/m3]. shall be edge, center, and edge tests.
4. Rolling Direction 5.2.2.5 The average of all spot tests on all test strips or
sheets represents the average coating weight [mass] test value.
4.1 Double-reduced plate is relatively brittle and has very 5.3 Coating weight [mass] test values shall conform to the
distinct directional properties. The rolling direction must be values shown in Table 1.
specified on cut sizes and will be indicated by underlining the
5.4 Determination of Tin Coating Weights [Masses]—
slit (rolling width) dimension. To minimize the flange-cracking
Typical methods for determination of tin coating weights
hazard when the product is used for can bodies, the rolling
[masses] are described in Test Methods A 630. An acceptable
direction must be around the circumference of the can.
method for determining tin coating weight [mass] is the X-ray
fluorescence method, performed in accordance with Test
5. Tin Coating Weight [Mass] Method A 754. In case of dispute, Method B, Referee Method,
5.1 Class Designation and Marking: shall be used.

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 A 626/A 626M – 03

FIG. 1 Standard Heavy-Side Marking System for Differential Electrolytic Tin Plate

5.5 Pig tin used in the production of tin plate shall be Grade 7. Chemical Treatment
A as shown in the latest edition of Specification B 339.
7.1 Electrolytic tin plate as produced without a surface
6. Surface Appearance and Finish chemical treatment is subject to tin oxide growth that is
6.1 Surface Appearance—Double-reduced electrolytic tin manifested by surface discoloration during storage and subse-
plate is customarily produced with a melted coating (bright). quent baking operations and may adversely affect application
Unmelted coating (matte) is also available. and adhesion of organic coatings and lithography, and may
6.2 Base Metal Finish—Double-reduced electrolytic tin cause poor solderability. A chemical treatment is therefore
plate is produced with ground roll finishes. applied in most cases after the tin coating has been deposited
6.2.1 7C—A smooth finish with grit lines. The surface and immediately preceding the oiling to control tin oxide
roughness will range between 6 and 25 µin. Ra [0.152 to 0.635 formation and growth. The chemical treatment is applied by
µm Ra]. passing the strip through a chemical solution with or without

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 A 626/A 626M – 03

FIG. 2 Standard Light-Side Marking System for Differential Electrolytic Tin Plate

current. Chemical treatments on electrolytic tin plate are 7.2 In order of decreasing surface passivation, the com-
applied commensurate with each supplier’s method and equip- monly used chemical treatments for tin plate are as follows:
ment, however, one of the controlling factors is the amount of 7.2.1 Cathodic Sodium Dichromate (CDC) Treatment:
combined chromium present on the surface. Unless otherwise 7.2.1.1 The cathodic sodium dichromate treatment is the
specified, the surface chemical treatment will be left to the most widely used treatment, and provides a highly passivated
discretion of the tin plate producer. surface against the formation of tin oxides. It has the following

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 A 626/A 626M – 03
attributes: (1) minimum tin oxide growth after prolonged sebacate (DOS) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). Other oil
storage; (2) minimized discoloration during subsequent baking films may be used. Surface active agents such as glycerol
required for organic coatings and lithography; (3) minimized monooleate (GMO) may be incorporated into the oil film for
discoloration due to soldering operation; and (4) provides some application on tin plate.
resistance to tin sulfide discoloration of certain sulfur-bearing 8.2 Unless indicated by the purchaser the specific oiling
food products. treatment will be left to the discretion of the tin-plate producer.
7.2.1.2 Cathodic sodium dichromate-treated tin plate has an 8.3 Weight [Mass] of Oil Film—The weight [mass] of oil
aim range from 350 to 650 µg of chromium per square foot of film as applied by the supplier of tin plate normally ranges
surface [4 000 to 7 000 µg of chromium per square metre of from approximately 0.10 to 0.40 g/base box [0.50 to 2.00
surface]. g/SITA (5 to 20 mg/m2)]. Specific aim ranges required for
7.2.2 Sodium Dichromate Dip (SDCD/SDD) Treatment: particular end uses and handling practices may be supplied as
7.2.2.1 The sodium dichromate dip treatment provides mod- agreed upon between the producer and the purchaser.
erate passivation against tin oxide formation. 9. General Requirements for Delivery
7.2.2.2 Sodium dichromate dip-treated tin plate has a maxi-
9.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
mum of 200 µg of chromium per square foot of surface [2200
form to the applicable requirements of the current edition of
µg of chromium per square metre of surface].
Specification A 623 [A 623M], unless otherwise provided
herein.
8. Oiling
8.1 Electrolytic tin plate is furnished with an oil film applied 10. Keywords
to both surfaces. The most commonly used oil films are dioctyl 10.1 coated steel sheet; tin mill products; tin plate

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A 626/A 626M - 98) that may impact the use of this standard.

A 626/A 626M - 03: (2) Changed wording in Chemical Treatment paragraph 7.1 to
(1) Changed metric decimal thickness from two significant be consistent with that of A 624/A 624M paragraph 6.1.
figures to three significant figures in paragraph 1.2.

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