tin plague
Definition
Noun: - A physical transformation: The specific phenomenon where ordinary, metallic white tin (beta-tin) undergoes a structural change into a non-metallic, powdery, grey form (alpha-tin) at very low temperatures, typically below 13.2°C (55.8°F). This process is also known as "tin disease" or "tin pest."
Usage
- The term "tin plague" is used in scientific and historical contexts to describe a specific metallurgical failure. It is a technical term, not used in everyday conversation.
- It is often cited as a contributing factor to the deterioration of tin-based objects, such as organ pipes or buttons, in cold climates.
Examples
- Noun:
- The tin plague was responsible for the disintegration of many tin buttons during Napoleon's cold Russian campaign.
- Conservators must be aware of the tin plague when storing historical tin artifacts in unheated environments.
Advanced Usage
- "to succumb to tin plague": to be affected by this transformation.
- The old organ pipes succumbed to tin plague after decades in a freezing cathedral.
Variants and Related Words
- Tin disease (n): A synonym for tin plague.
- Tin pest (n): Another common synonym for tin plague.
- Allotropic transformation (n): The general scientific term for a change in the physical form of an element, which includes the tin plague.
Synonyms
- Tin disease: The most direct synonym.
- Tin pest: An equally common synonym in materials science.
Related Phrases
- Transformation of tin: A descriptive phrase for the process.
- Beta-to-alpha tin transition: The precise scientific description of the change.
Noun
-
the transformation of ordinary white tin into powdery grey tin at very cold temperatures
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