Abstract: After removing tin coating of tinplates offered by some steel works, we discovered massive, highly disperse gray points outspreading along rolling direction on the surface of the alloy layer. Morphology of the alloy layer was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and many cavities of the alloy layer were found out in the gray point. After analyzing the composition of the alloy layer, we found that content of Fe in the gray points was more than that in the normal alloy layer. Moreover, corrosion resistance of the alloy layer declines with increase of amount of gray points. In addition, the hot-humidity testing was carried out for some plates whose surface has many gray points. After 14 days, there were many rust points occurring in the edge of gray points and in the small gray points. The morphology of rust points was observed by atomic force microscope (AFM). The reason why rust points generated in the edge of gray points and in the small gray points was discussed.

Key words: Sn-Fe alloy, Gray point, SEM, AFM, Corrosion resistance