The multilayer structure of tintype photographs and the interactions among these layers were examined. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of fractured tintype coatings revealed the typical thickness and interface locations for the iron plate substrate, japanned coating, collodion, silver image particles, and overcoat varnish. Fracture pattern stress lines traversing the different polymer regions verified that a discrete collodion-japan interface exists while a less distinct transition appears between overcoat varnish and the collodion-silver region. In addition, image flaking typically associated with corrosion of the iron substrate was found to occur as grain-boundary separation within the iron plate rather than adhesion failure of the organic coatings at the iron-japan layer interface. The ability to distinguish the various coating layers and the silver particle matrix on the basis of SEM image features was corroborated by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).