Tin plating primarily serves to protect metal surfaces from corrosion and oxidation, enhancing their durability and longevity. Tin plating and galvanizing are both surface coatings used to protect metals from corrosion, but they achieve this through different mechanisms and with different benefits. Tin plating creates a thin layer of tin on the surface, protecting it from oxidation and corrosion, especially for non-ferrous metals. Galvanizing involves applying a zinc coating, which provides sacrificial protection, meaning the zinc corrodes in preference to the steel, offering long-term protection.