Abstract: The invention is an electrochemical cell with a zinc-containing negative electrode, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte and a cup-shaped metal negative electrode casing in contact with the negative electrode. The negative electrode casing is formed from a substrate that is substantially free of copper and at least those portions of the surface of the negative electrode casing in the seal area and the current collector area are coated with a layer of an alloy comprising copper, tin and zinc. The alloy layer reduces hydrogen gassing within the cell and is particularly useful in cells with no added mercury. Embodiments of the invention include cells with prismatic, cylindrical and button shaped containers and cells with positive electrode active materials including manganese dioxide, silver oxide and oxygen.