Tin determination

The dosage of tin (Sn) , a heavy metal used in alloys, solders, coatings, food canning, and technical materials, is a crucial parameter for quality control, product safety, and regulatory compliance. Its presence must be controlled in materials that come into contact with food, as well as in formulations intended for nutraceuticals or animal nutrition.

In industry, tin measurement is used to verify the purity of a material, identify metallic contamination, control a manufacturing process, or characterize mineral or plant matrices. The analysis must be precise, sensitive, and compliant with regulatory limits, particularly in the food sector where tin is subject to strict thresholds, especially for metal cans and packaging.

Industrial and regulatory applications

Tin analysis is applicable to a wide range of sectors:

• Metallurgical industries: alloy control, weld quality, characterization of metallic deposits
• Food packaging: verification of tin migration into food in contact with metal cans
• Human food and nutraceuticals: monitoring of metal levels to guarantee ingredient purity
• Animal nutrition: monitoring of metallic contaminants in raw materials or additives
• Plants and plant extracts: quantification of trace metals for regulatory compliance

In the food and nutraceutical sectors, tin can originate from industrial processes, production equipment, or packaging. Its measurement is therefore essential to prevent toxicological risks and meet European requirements, particularly those of Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 concerning maximum limits for contaminants.

Analytical methods

Tin determination relies on several reference techniques allowing for precise quantification, even at very low concentrations.

ICP-OES / ICP-AES
Method suitable for matrices with high metal content, such as metal alloys or welds. It allows for rapid and reliable multi-element analysis.

ICP-MS
is the most sensitive technique, ideal for food, nutraceutical, or plant matrices. It offers detection at the µg/kg scale and is particularly well-suited for contaminant control.

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
is a robust and commonly used method for quantifying metals in liquid or digested matrices. It is useful for targeted analyses at moderate concentrations.

Sample preparation depends on the matrix: acid digestion, solubilization or alkaline melting for metallic materials, mineral digestion for food products or extracts.

Supported analytical matrices

• metallic alloys (bronzes, brazing alloys, technical tins)
• electronic soldering and conductive materials
• metallic coatings and technical parts
• plant products and extracts
• nutraceutical supplements
• foods and formulations intended for animal nutrition
• liquid or solid matrices after acid digestion

YesWeLab automatically selects the laboratory and method best suited to the matrix, the targeted regulatory threshold and the required sensitivity level.

Further analyses recommended (internal linking)

Several tests from the YesWeLab catalogue combine perfectly with tin content analysis for a complete characterization of metals or the matrix:

Heavy metals: Pb, Cd, Hg, As (ICP-MS)
Essential in the food, nutraceutical and packaging sectors.

Migration of materials and packaging
: Relevant when metallic or composite packaging is in contact with food.

Determination of iron , copper , zinc , manganese
to characterize metallic or enriched matrices.

Why go through YesWeLab?

YesWeLab supports manufacturers by enabling them to centralize their analytical needs through a single platform. Thanks to a network of specialized laboratories, accredited to ISO 17025 and recognized for their expertise in atomic spectrometry, YesWeLab guarantees optimal method selection, comprehensive sample handling, and results delivered in accordance with regulatory and industry expectations.

Companies benefit from dedicated scientific support, methodological validation adapted to the matrix and simplified management up to the final report.