The first step in tin economy is the elimination of tin entirely, hence the name tin-free steel. This material is produced by electrolytically coating mild steel plate with a chromium/chromium oxide film. It is also called electrolytic chromium coated steel, has chromium coatings that are thinner than tin coatings, which always have to be coated with a lacquer. Tin-free steel is a black plate that has been electrolytically plated with metallic chromium (chrome) and chromium oxides to enhance corrosion resistance. It is obtained by coating the metal base (low-carbon steel) with an ultra-thin layer of metallic chrome and then with a chromium oxide layer.