Tin-Coated, Copper-Clad Steel Wire For Electronic Application
Tin-Coated, Copper-Clad Steel Wire For Electronic Application
Tin-Coated, Copper-Clad Steel Wire For Electronic Application
for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.06 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Bi-Metallic Conductors. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as B520 – 12. DOI: Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
10.1520/B0520-12R17. Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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B520 − 12 (2017)
TABLE 1 Wire Sizes 5.2 Resistivity—The electrical resistivity at a temperature of
Diameter Cross-Sectional Area at 20°C (68°F) 20°C shall not exceed the values prescribed in Table 2. See
in. mm cmil in.2 mm2 Note 2 for calculating electrical resistance.
0.0720 1.8129 5180 0.00407 2.63
0.0641 1.6128 4110 0.00323 2.08
NOTE 2—Relationships that may be useful in connection with the values
0.0571 1.450 3260 0.00256 1.65 of electrical resistivity prescribed in this specification are shown in Table
0.0508 1.290 2580 0.00203 1.31 3. Resistivity units 1⁄58 Ω · mm2/m and 0.15328 Ω · g/m2 at 20°C are
0.0453 1.151 2050 0.00161 1.04 respectively the international equivalent of volume and weight resistivity
0.0403 1.024 1620 0.00128 0.823 of annealed copper equal to 100 % conductivity. The latter term means
that a copper wire 1 m in length and weighing 1 g would have a resistance
0.0359 0.912 1290 0.00101 0.653 of 0.15328 Ω. This is equivalent to a resistivity value of 875.20
0.0320 0.813 1020 0.000804 0.519 Ω·lb/mile2, which signifies the resistance of a copper wire 1 mile in length
0.0285 0.724 812 0.000638 0.412
weighing 1 lb. It is also equivalent, for example, to 1.7241 µΩ/cm of
0.0253 0.643 640 0.000503 0.324
0.0226 0.574 511 0.000401 0.259
length of a copper bar 1 cm2 in cross section. A complete discussion of this
0.0201 0.511 404 0.000317 0.205 subject is contained in NBS Handbook 100. The use of five significant
figures in expressing resistivity does not imply the need for greater
0.0179 0.455 320 0.000252 0.162 accuracy of measurement than that specified in Test Method B193. The
0.0159 0.404 253 0.000199 0.128 use of five significant figures is required for complete reversible conver-
0.0142 0.361 202 0.000158 0.102 sion from one set of resistivity units to another.
0.0126 0.320 159 0.000125 0.0804
0.0113 0.287 128 0.000100 0.0647 5.3 Dimensions and Permissible Variations—The wire sizes
0.0100 0.254 100 0.0000785 0.0507 shall be expressed as the diameter of the wire in decimal
0.0089 0.226 79.2 0.0000622 0.0401
fractions of an inch to the nearest 0.0001 in. (0.003 mm) (Note
0.0080 0.203 64.0 0.0000503 0.0324 3). For diameters under 0.0100 in. (0.254 mm), the wire shall
0.0071 0.180 50.4 0.0000396 0.0255 not vary from the specified diameter by more than plus 0.0003
0.0063 0.160 39.7 0.0000312 0.0201
0.0056 0.142 31.4 0.0000246 0.0159
in. (0.008 mm) and minus 0.0001 in. (0.003 mm) and for
0.0050 0.127 25.0 0.0000196 0.0127 diameters of 0.0100 in. (0.254 mm) and over, the wire shall not
vary from the specified diameter by more than plus 3 % and
0.0045 0.114 20.2 0.0000159 0.0103
0.0040 0.102 16.0 0.0000126 0.00811
minus 1 %, expressed to the nearest 0.0001 in. (0.003 mm).
0.0035 0.089 12.2 0.00000962 0.00621 NOTE 3—The values of the wire diameters in Table 1 are given to the
0.0031 0.079 9.61 0.00000755 0.00487
nearest 0.0001 in. (0.003 mm) and correspond to the standard sizes given
in Specification B258. The use of gage numbers to specify wire sizes is not
recognized in this specification because of the possibility of confusion. An
excellent discussion of wire gages and related subjects is contained in
“Copper Wire Tables” NBS Handbook 100.
exclusive of copper, does not exceed 1 %. Notwithstanding the
previous sentence, chemical analysis of the tin coating or of the 5.4 Continuity of Coating—The tin coating shall be continu-
tin used for coating shall not be required under this specifica- ous. The continuity of coating on the wire shall be determined
tion. Adequacy of the tin coating is assured by the continuity of on representative samples taken before stranding or insulating.
coating and adherence of coating requirements (see 5.4 and The continuity of tinning shall be determined by the hydro-
5.5). The quality of the tin-coated wire shall be such that the chloric acid-sodium polysulfide test in accordance with 6.2.
finished product meets the properties and requirements in this 5.5 Adherence of Coating—The tin coating shall be firmly
specification. adherent to the surface of the copper-clad steel wire. The
NOTE 1—It is necessary that the coating of the tin on the wire be adherence of coating on the wire shall be determined on
continuous. The test in the sodium polysulfide is for the purpose of representative samples taken before stranding or insulating.
determining whether or not the wire carries a continuous envelope of pure The adherence of coating shall be determined by the wrapping
tin. The thickness of the tin coating is necessarily varied. Under the same and immersion test in accordance with 6.3.
conditions of tinning, the coating on all sizes of wire, excepting on fine
wire, is approximately the same. The coating on fine wire is in general
relatively heavier than that on coarse wire. It is not, therefore, correct to
apply a larger number of cycles in the test on coarse wire than is applied
to fine wire. It is probable that one cycle of the dip test would be sufficient TABLE 2 Resistivity, max at 20°C
to discover defects in tinned wire, but in order to make certain that no Nominal Diameter, in.
partially covered spots may escape attention, provision has been made for Class of Wire Ω·mm2/m
(mm)
two cycles. It has been found that the tin coating on copper wire consists
T30HS 0.0720 (1.829) to 0.06743
of two parts, an envelope of pure tin on the outside, with an intermediate 0.0201 (0.511) incl (0.067427)
layer of copper-tin alloy. This tin alloy, as well as the amount of tin and under 0.0201 (0.511) to 0.07315
present, has an effect on the resistivity of the wire. Since the relative 0.0113 (0.287) incl (0.073148)
amount of tin coating and alloy is greater on the small wire than it is on T30A under 0.0113 (0.287) to 0.07642
the coarser wire, the resistivity of the wire increases as the size decreases. 0.0031 (0.079) incl (0.076423)
This also accounts for the decrease in elongation due to tinning soft wire.
T40HS 0.0720 (1.829) to 0.04874
0.0201 (0.511) incl (0.048742)
5. General Requirements and under 0.0201 (0.511) to 0.05162
5.1 Tensile strength and elongation of the tin-coated wire 0.0113 (0.287) incl (0.051618)
T40A under 0.0113 (0.287) to 0.05328
shall conform to the requirements of Specification B452 for the 0.0031 (0.079) incl (0.053280)
applicable size and class of copper-clad steel wire.
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TABLE 3 Equivalent Resistivity Values
Volume Resistivity Equivalents at 20°C
Conductivity
Class and Size, in. (mm) Volume Mass
at 20°C
% IACS Ω·mm2/m Ω·c mil/ft µΩ·in. µΩ·cm Ω·lb/mile2 Ω·g/m2
T30A and T30HS 0.0720
25.570 0.067427 40.56 2.6546 6.7427 3137.9 0.54953
(1.829) to 0.0201 (0.511)
Under 0.0201 (0.511) to
23.570 0.073148 44.00 2.8799 7.3148 3404.1 0.59616
0.0113 (0.287)
Under 0.0113 (0.287) to
22.560 0.076423 45.97 3.0088 7.6423 3556.5 0.62285
0.0031 (0.079)
5.6 Joints—Necessary joints in the wire and rods prior to TABLE 4 Limiting Number of Test Specimens for Coating Tests
final coating and drawing shall be made in accordance with Maximum Number of Specimens to be
Nominal Diameter, in. (mm) Tested for Two Cycles in
good commercial practice. Joints made after coating shall not 180 mL of Acid Solution
be allowed to remain in the final product. 0.0720 (1.829) to 0.0501 (1.273) 6
5.7 Finish—The coating shall consist of a smooth, continu- incl
Under 0.0501 (1.273) to 0.0381 10
ous layer, firmly adherent to the surface of the copper. The wire (0.968) incl
shall be bright and free from all imperfections not consistent Under 0.0381 (0.968) to 0.0301 12
with good commercial practice. (0.765) incl
Under 0.0301 (0.765) to 0.0031 14
(0.079) incl
6. Test Methods
6.1 For tensile strength, elongation, resistivity, dimensional
measurement and the quality of the basis wire, the latest issue
of Specification B452 shall apply and the tests shall be
performed on the tin-coated wire. excess of sulfur after the solution has been allowed to stand for
6.2 Continuity of Coating: at least 24 h. The test solution shall be made by diluting a
6.2.1 Specimens: portion of the concentrated solution with distilled water to a
6.2.1.1 Length of Specimens—Test specimens shall each specific gravity of 1.142 at 15.6°C (60°F). The sodium poly-
have a length of about 6 in. (150 mm). They shall be tagged or sulfide test solution should have sufficient strength to blacken
marked to correspond with the coil, spool, or reel from which thoroughly a piece of clean untinned copper wire in 5 s. The
they were cut. test solution used for testing samples shall be considered
6.2.1.2 Treatment of Specimens—The specimens shall be exhausted if it fails to blacken a piece of clean copper as
thoroughly cleaned by immersion in a suitable organic solvent described above.
for at least 3 min, then removed and wiped dry with a clean,
NOTE 4—It is important that the polysulfide solution be of proper
soft cloth. (Warning—See 1.4.) The specimens thus cleaned composition and strength at the time of test. A solution which is not
shall be kept wrapped in a clean, dry cloth until tested. That saturated with sulfur or which has been made from decomposed sodium
part of the specimen to be immersed in the test solution shall sulfide crystals may give a false indication of failure. Therefore, the
not be handled. Care shall be taken to avoid abrasion by the cut requirement that the solution be tested by observing its blackening effect
on a bright copper wire is significant. Significant also is the requirement
ends. that the solution be saturated with sulfur by allowing the solution to stand
6.2.2 Special Solutions: at least 24 h after preparation. Attention is called also to the necessity for
6.2.2.1 Hydrochloric Acid Solution (sp gr 1.088)— the use of sodium sulfide which has not deteriorated through exposure to
Commercial HCl (sp gr 1.12) shall be diluted with distilled air; and if exposure has occurred, the crystals should be tested for purity.
water to a specific gravity of 1.088 measured at 15.6°C (60°F). The “Standard Reagents Tests” of the American Chemical Society are
useful in this connection.
A portion of HCl solution having a volume of 180 mL shall be
considered to be exhausted when the number of test specimens 6.2.3 Procedure:
prescribed in Table 4 of a size as indicated in 6.2.3 have been 6.2.3.1 Immersion of Specimens—Immerse a length of at
immersed in it for two cycles. least 41⁄2 in. (115 mm) from each of the clean specimens, in
6.2.2.2 Sodium Polysulfide Solution (sp gr 1.142) (Note accordance with the following cycles, in test solutions main-
4)—A concentrated solution shall be made by dissolving tained at a temperature between 15.6 and 21°C (60 and 70°F):
sodium sulfide cp crystals in distilled water until the solution is (1) immerse the specimen for 1 min in the HCl solution
saturated at about 21°C (70°F), and adding sufficient flowers of described in 6.2.2, wash, and wipe dry; (2) immerse the
sulfur (in excess of 250 g/L of solution) to provide complete specimen for 30 s in the sodium polysulfide solution described
saturation, as shown by the presence in the solution of an in 6.2.2, wash, and wipe dry; (3) immerse the specimen for 1
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B520 − 12 (2017)
min in the HCl solution, wash, and wipe dry; (4) immerse the sodium polysulfide solution, rinse the specimen immediately in
specimen for 30 s in the sodium polysulfide solution, wash, and clean water and remove the excess by shaking.
wipe dry. 6.3.2.3 Examination of Specimens—Visually examine the
6.2.3.2 Washing Specimens—After each immersion, imme- outer peripheral surface of the helically wrapped portion of the
diately wash the specimens thoroughly in clean water and wipe specimen. For wires 0.021 in. and smaller, a magnification not
dry with a clean, soft cloth. greater than three times may be used. Any cracking or parting
6.2.3.3 Examination of Specimens—After immersion and of the coating in this area shown by blackening of the copper
washing, examine the specimens with the unaided eye (normal shall be cause for rejection. A grayish appearance of the
spectacles excepted) to ascertain if copper exposed through coating after immersion shall not constitute failure.
openings in the tin coating has been blackened by action of the
sodium polysulfide. The specimens shall be considered to have 7. Conformance Criteria (Note 5)
failed if, by such blackening, exposed copper is revealed. No NOTE 5—Cumulative results secured on the product of a single
manufacturer, indicating continued conformance to the criteria, are
attention shall be paid to blackening within 0.5 in. (13 mm) of necessary to ensure an over-all product meeting the requirements of this
the cut end. specification. The sample sizes and conformance criteria given for the
6.3 Adherence of Coating: various characteristics are applicable only to lots produced under these
conditions.
6.3.1 Specimens:
6.3.1.1 Length of Specimens—Test specimens shall be ap- 7.1 Any lot of wire, the samples of which comply with the
proximately 12 in. (300 mm) in length and shall be tagged or conformance criteria of this section, shall be considered as
marked to correspond with the coil, spool, or reel from which complying with the requirements of Section 5. Individual
they are cut. production units that fail to meet one or more of the following
6.3.1.2 Treatment of Specimens—The specimens shall be criteria shall constitute cause for rejection of the lot. The
thoroughly cleaned, if required, by immersion in a suitable conformance criteria for each of the prescribed properties
organic solvent for at least 3 min, then removed and dried. given in Section 5 are as follows:
(Warning—See 1.4.) The specimens thus cleaned shall be kept 7.1.1 Tensile Properties—The lot shall be considered con-
wrapped in a clean dry cloth until tested. That part of the forming if the conformance criteria of Specification B452 have
specimens to be immersed in the test solution shall not be been met for tensile properties and the quality characteristics
handled. Care shall be taken to avoid abrasion of the surface to relative to the basis wire.
be subjected to test. Wire of sizes 0.005 in. (0.127 mm) and 7.1.2 Resistivity—The electrical resistivity of each of the
smaller may be cleaned after wrapping around the mandrel. four specimens shall conform to the requirements of Table 2.
6.3.2 Procedure: Failure to meet these requirements shall constitute failure to
6.3.2.1 Wrapping—Slowly wrap the test specimen in a meet the resistivity conformance criterion of 5.2.
suitable manner in an open helix around a polished mandrel 7.1.3 Dimensions—The dimensions of the first sample
having rounded ends and a diameter not to exceed four times (Table 5) shall conform to the requirements of 5.3. If there are
the nominal diameter of the specimen. Take care not to stretch no failures, the lot shall be considered as conforming to these
the specimen during the wrapping operation. The spacing of requirements. If there are failures, but the number of these do
the consecutive turns shall be approximately equal to the not exceed the allowable defect number c2 (Table 5) for the
diameter of the wire. For sizes 0.021 in. (0.533 mm) and respective number of units in the sample, a second sample
smaller, not more than six helical turns shall be used for the equal to n2 shall be taken and the total defects of the n1 + n2
test, and for wire larger than 0.021 in. (0.533 mm), not more units shall not exceed the allowable defect number c2. Failure
than three turns shall be used. to meet this requirement shall constitute failure to meet the
6.3.2.2 Immersion Test—Remove the helically wrapped por- dimensional conformance criterion.
tion of the test specimen from the mandrel and completely 7.1.4 Continuity of Coating—The continuity of the coating
immerse in the sodium polysulfide solution (see 6.2.2) for 30 s of each of the eight specimens shall conform to the require-
at the temperature prescribed in 6.2.3. On removal from the ments of 5.4. Failure of more than two specimens shall
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B520 − 12 (2017)
constitute failure to meet the continuity criterion. If not more requirements listed in Section 5, shall be determined on
than two specimens fail to meet the continuity criterion, eight samples taken from each lot of wire presented for acceptance.
additional specimens from the lot shall be tested, all of which 9.1.2 The manufacturer shall, if requested prior to
shall conform to the continuity criterion. However, any indi- inspection, certify that all wire in the lot was made under such
vidual production unit, the specimen from which failed to meet conditions that the product as a whole conforms to the
the continuity criterion, shall be rejected. requirements of this specification as determined by regularly
7.1.5 Adherence of Coating—The adherence of the coating made and recorded tests.
of each of the eight specimens shall conform to the require- 9.2 Description of Inspection Terms:
ments of 5.5. Failure of more than two specimens shall 9.2.1 Lot—A lot is any amount of wire of one class and size
constitute failure to meet the adherence criterion. If not more presented for acceptance at one time, such amount, however,
than two specimens fail to meet the adherence criterion, eight not to exceed 10 000 lb (4500 kg) (Note 6).
additional specimens from the lot shall be tested, all of which
shall conform to the adherence criterion. However, any indi- NOTE 6—A lot should comprise material taken from a product regularly
meeting the requirements of this specification. Inspection of individual
vidual production unit, the specimen from which failed to meet
lots of less than 500 lb (230 kg) of wire cannot be justified economically.
the adherence criterion, shall be rejected. For small lots of 500 lb (230 kg) or less, the purchaser may agree to the
7.1.6 Finish—The finish of the samples taken in accordance manufacturer’s regular inspection of the product as a whole as evidence of
with Table 5 shall conform to the requirements of 5.7. The acceptability of such small lots.
number of units in the sample showing surface defects not 9.2.2 Sample—A sample is a quantity of production units
consistent with commercial practice shall not exceed the (coils, reels, etc.) selected at random from the lot for the
allowable defect number c, in Table 6. Failure to meet this purpose of determining conformance of the lot to the require-
requirement shall constitute failure to meet the finish confor- ments of this specification.
mance criterion. 9.2.3 Specimen—A specimen is a length of wire removed
7.1.7 Packaging—Conformance to the packaging require- for test purposes from any individual production unit of the
ments specified by the purchaser shall be determined in sample.
accordance with Table 6. The number of units in the sample
9.3 Sample Size—The number of production units in a
showing conformance to the requirements shall not exceed the
sample (Note 5) shall be as follows:
allowable defect number c, in Table 6. Failure to meet this
9.3.1 For tensile strength, elongation, resistivity, and adher-
requirement shall constitute failure to meet the packaging
ence of coating, the sample shall consist of four production
conformance criterion.
units (Note 7). For surface finish the sampling shall be in
8. Density accordance with Table 6. From each unit, one test specimen of
sufficient length shall be removed for the performance of
8.1 For the purpose of calculating mass, cross section, etc., required tests.
the density of the wire shall be taken as 0.29444 lb/in.3 (8.15
g/cm3) at 20°C for the material covered by this specification. NOTE 7—It is known that the rate of loading during tension testing
affects the performance of the sample to a greater or lesser extent
depending upon many factors. In general, tested values of tensile strength
9. Inspection are increased and tested values of elongation are reduced with increase of
9.1 General—All tests and inspections shall be made at the speed of the moving head of the testing machine. In the case of tests on
place of manufacture unless otherwise agreed upon between soft or annealed wire, however, the effects of speed of testing are not
pronounced. Tests of soft wire made at speeds of moving head which
the manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of the purchase. under no-load conditions are not greater than 12 in./min (300 mm/min) do
The manufacturer shall afford the inspector representing the not alter the final results of tensile strength and elongation determinations
purchaser all reasonable facilities necessary to ensure that the to any practical extent. In the case of hard-drawn wire, these effects are
material is being furnished in accordance with this specifica- pronounced when the speed of the moving head is excessive. It is
tion (Note 5). suggested that tests be made at speeds of moving head which, under
no-load conditions, are not greater than 3 in./min (76 mm/min), but in no
9.1.1 Unless otherwise agreed to between the manufacturer case at a speed greater than that at which correct readings can be made.
and the purchaser, conformance of the wire to the various
9.3.2 For dimensional measurements, the sample shall con-
sist of a quantity of production units shown in Table 4 under
heading “First Sample.”
TABLE 6 Sampling for Surface Finish and Packaging Inspection
9.3.3 For packaging inspection (when specified by the
Allowable
Number of
Number of
purchaser at the time of placing the order), the sample shall
Number of Units in Lot Units in consist of a quantity of production units as shown in Table 6.
Defective
Sample, n
Units, c
1 to 30, incl all 0 10. Packaging and Shipping
31 to 50, incl 30 0
51 to 100, incl 37 0 10.1 The package size shall be agreed upon by the manu-
101 to 200, incl 40 0 facturer and the purchaser in the placing of individual orders
201 to 300, incl 70 1
301 to 500, incl 100 2 (Note 8). The wire shall be protected against damage in
501 to 800, incl 130 3 ordinary handling and shipping.
Over 800 155 4
NOTE 8—Attention is called to the desirability for agreement between
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B520 − 12 (2017)
the manufacturer and the purchaser on package sizes which will be
sufficiently large and yet not so heavy or bulky that the wire may likely be
damaged in handling.
11. Keywords
11.1 clad steel electrical conductor; copper-clad steel elec-
trical conductor; copper-clad steel wire; electrical conductor;
tin-electrical/electronic application; tin-coated
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