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New Opportunities for Tin Use (cont’d)
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Building on Success: Developing Resources for the Future
Aside from ATO replacement, similar or maybe even greater
tonnage potential for ZHS/ZS exists in the halogen-free sector,
where growth is clearly evident particularly in the European and
Japanese electrical/electronic sector.
Leading manufacturers of ZHS/ZS are reporting a recent surge
in demand and are ramping up production. Consequently, the
use of tin in fire retardant additives is expected to be one
of the end applications most likely to grow in the immediate
future.
BRake paDS
Tin is replacing antimony in brake pads. Antimony sulphide has
been used to stop brakes squeaking but now safer alternatives
are needed. Tin can be used in a cheaper and more sustainable
technology where tin and sulphur react together inside the pad
when the car brakes.
Brake pads are complex mixtures with proprietary blends of
substances designed to achieve maximum braking performance
without degradation, squealing and other problems. Antimony
trisulphide is extensively used as a solid lubricant in friction
materials such as brake pads, although health and safety
concerns for industry workers, combined with environmental
issues relating to highway pollution, have driven the demand
for safer, non-toxic products.
A proprietary tin sulphide product has been on the market for
some time, although its high cost compared to the antimony
product has somewhat restricted its use. Nonetheless, it has
been suggested that significant quantities of tin are already in
use in the EU.
More recently, a novel tin technology has been launched based
on a simple combination of tin and iron sulphide that reacts
under braking friction to produce tin sulphide inside the pad.
The product offers outstanding performance at a price that
is closer to that of antimony trisulphide. Industry trials are in
progress in Europe and Japan.