What is "tin pest"

n. An autocatalytic transformation of tin into a different allotrope that causes tin objects to become brittle and flaky

n. the transformation of ordinary white tin into powdery gray tin a very cold temperatures [syn: tin disease, tin plague]

Tin medal affected by tin disease

]] Tin pest is an autocatalytic, allotropic transformation of the element tin, which causes deterioration of tin objects at low temperatures. Tin pest has also been called tin disease, tin blight or tin leprosy (Lèpre d'étain).

It was observed in medieval Europe that the pipes of church pipe organs were affected in cool climates. As soon as the tin began decomposing, the process accelerated.

With the adoption of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) regulations in Europe, and similar regulations elsewhere traditional lead/tin solders have been replaced by solders containing primarily tin, making prevention of tin pest and related problems such as tin whiskers a modern technological challenge.