Cost-Effective, Sulfur-Resistant, and Printable Packaging Material

What Is Tin-Free Steel (TFS / ECCS)?

Tin-Free Steel (TFS), also known as Electrolytic Chromium-Coated Steel (ECCS), is a widely used chromium-based alternative to traditional electrolytic tinplate. Instead of tin, the steel surface is coated with metallic chromium and a thin chromium oxide layer, forming a highly adhesive, corrosion-resistant, and printable surface. This unique structure gives TFS tin free steel outstanding performance in food cans, EOE lids, and general packaging where cost efficiency and sulfur resistance are required.

The tin free steel sheet and coil products from CJM are ideal for chemical cans, aerosol domes, crown caps, and food packaging applications where internal lacquer can ensure food safety and durability. For packaging buyers seeking to reduce material costs without compromising on performance, CJM’s TFS offers the ideal solution. Contact us to discover how much you can save.

Compared with tinplate, tin free steel coils are more cost-effective while still providing excellent lacquer adhesion and corrosion resistance. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Tinplate vs. Tin-Free Steel for Packaging Needs.

Key Benefits of Tin-Free Steel

• 💲 Cost-Effective Alternative – Lower tin free steel price compared with electrolytic tinplate while meeting the same packaging standards.
• 🎨 Superior Lacquer Adhesion – The chromium oxide layer is micro-porous, creating strong anchor points for coatings and inks. This ensures excellent paint and lacquer bonding — ideal for printable tin free steel packaging.
• 🛡️ High Corrosion Resistance – Excellent resistance to sulfur-induced corrosion, making it suitable for food cans and sulfur-rich food packaging.
• 🍱 Food-Safe with Lacquering – For direct food contact, tin free steel for food packaging must be lacquered internally to ensure safety and prevent contamination.
• ⚙️ Formability & Strength – Suitable for can ends, crown caps, closures, and aerosol domes that require both durability and shaping performance.
• ✨ Decorative Potential – The smooth surface finish (bright, matte, or silver) supports branding and decorative printing on tin free steel cans.

Tin-Free Steel Specifications & Dimensions

Our tin free steel coils and sheets meet JIS G3315 and ASTM A657 standards.

Item	Specification
Thickness	0.15 – 0.30 mm (Custom available)
Width	600 – 1000 mm (Custom slitting available)
Chromium Coating (Cr/CrOx)	70 – 120 mg/m² (Standard: 100 mg/m²)
Base Steel Grades	MR, SPCC
Temper	T2 – T4, DR7 – DR9
Surface Finish	Bright / Matte / Silver
Coil Inner Diameter	508 mm / 610 mm
Surface Treatment	Lacquered, Oiled, Passivated

These tin free steel specifications can be customized for different can-making lines and packaging designs.

Mechanical Properties of Tin-Free Steel

Grade	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)
T2	≥ 245	270–350	≥ 30
T3	≥ 275	300–370	≥ 28
T4	≥ 305	340–410	≥ 26
DR8	≥ 370	420–510	≥ 2.5
DR9	≥ 410	470–560	≥ 1.5

⚙️ Technical Note: DR8 and DR9 are Double Reduced (DR) tempers, produced by secondary cold reduction for ultra-high hardness. Their formability is not evaluated by elongation but by ear test, hardness, and punchability — key parameters for crown caps, can ends, and closures. These grades offer exceptional strength and dimensional stability, ideal for high-speed packaging lines and precision forming.

Applications of Tin-Free Steel Packaging

CJM’s TFS / ECCS sheets and coils are widely used in:

• Food and beverage can ends (EOE lids, pull-tabs, closures)
• Cosmetic and medical packaging
• Paint and coating cans
• Crown caps and bottle closures
• Aerosol domes and bottoms
• Battery jackets and industrial containers

Because of its excellent sulfur corrosion resistance, tin free steel packaging is ideal for acidic foods, sulfur-containing beverages, and products requiring long shelf-life and decorative printing.

Find the Right TFS for Your Application – Get Expert Advice

Your Trusted Partner for Tin-Free Steel (TFS / ECCS)

At CJM, we deliver certified Tin Free Steel with consistent quality, fast delivery, and responsive global service — designed for packaging manufacturers who value reliability.

✔ Quality You Can Trust

• Each coil tested to JIS G3315 standards
• Hardness, coating, and surface verified by in-house QC
• 500-hour salt spray test ensures corrosion resistance
  ✅ Stable performance, fewer rejects, and lower inspection cost

✔ Reliable Supply & Fast Delivery

• Steady stock of T2 / T3 / DR8 grades
• Flexible inventory and custom slitting for urgent orders
• Sufficient black plate reserves to avoid shortages
  ✅ Always on time — no downtime for your production

✔ Competitive & Cost-Effective

• Direct mill sourcing for better tin free steel price
• Excellent lacquer adhesion for higher coating efficiency
• Precision cutting minimizes scrap
  ✅ Better yield, lower total cost, superior end quality

✔ Responsive Global Support

• Fast quotation & technical reply
• Flexible MOQ and Incoterms (FOB / CIF / CFR)
  ✅ Easy communication and worry-free delivery

Packaging & Logistics

• Standard Export Packaging: Waterproof paper + steel straps + wooden pallets
• Flexible Options: OEM packaging and bulk shipments available
• Global Logistics: FOB, CIF, or door-to-door delivery with real-time tracking

Tin free steel coils and sheets are shipped worldwide with full surface protection to prevent scratches and oxidation.

Contact Us‌

CJM supplies tin free steel (TFS / ECCS) and electrolytic tinplate coils and sheets to over 40 countries across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America.

📩 Contact us today for tin free steel price quotes, samples, and technical support for your food and industrial packaging projects.

FAQ: Tin-Free Steel vs Tinplate

Q1: Is tin-free steel safe for food packaging?

Yes — but only with internal lacquer. Tin free steel sheets and coils must be lacquered before direct food contact to ensure safety.

Q2: What is the difference between electrolytic tinplate and tin-free steel?

• Electrolytic Tinplate: Tin coating, safe for direct food contact, glossy finish.
• Electrolytic Chromium-Coated Steel (TFS / ECCS): Chromium coating, requires lacquer, superior adhesion, and lower cost.

Q3: Can tin-free steel replace tinplate in all applications?

Not always. Tinplate is preferred for uncoated direct food contact.
TFS tin free steel is better for chemical packaging, lacquered food lids, and sulfur-rich canned products.

Q: What is your company’s main products/services?

A: We are a professional manufacturer for Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel and Profile products. We have the experience of steel business for more than 10 years and our products are exported to Mid East,South America,Southeast Asia,Africa,South and East Asia etc.

Q: Can I go to your factory for a visit?

A: Of course, we welcome customers from all over the world to visit our factory.

Q: What are your terms of payment?

A: 30% T/T deposite and 70% balance before shipment.

Q: What is your delivery time?

A: For stocks,we could transport the goods to loading port within 7 days after we received the deposit; For production,it usually takes about 15-30 days after receiving the deposit.

Q: Do you provide samples? Are they free or paid?

A: Samples are available for free,but the courier freight will be covered by customer account.

Q: Do you accept the third party inspection?

A:Yes, we fully accept ‌third-party inspections.

Q: Why should I buy from you not from other suppliers?

A: Integrating the superior resources of China’s steel industry, we provide customers with high-quality steel products at preferential prices, and can ensure that the goods are delivered to customers in a timely manner.

Q:How can you guarantee quality?

A: Always a pre-production sample before mass production;Always 100% inspected before shipment