Tin Electroplating

A component of Bronze, use of Tin in metal working dates some 5000 years ago back to -- you guessed it -- the Bronze Age.

Tin is a non-toxic and corrosion resistant whitish gray deposit used in a wide variety of industries. Because it protects the base metal from oxidizing Tin-plated metals are commonly used in applications calling for soldering. Highly versatile, tin can be deposited onto more or less any metal substrate.

Tin whiskers – sharp, microscopic protrusions that can form on the surface of objects plated in pure tin – are electrically conductive and can cause sort circuits in electrical components. As a result, care should be taken in determining whether your particular finishing application is better served by pure tin or one of many available tin alloys.

Benefits

• Excellent solderability, especially improving non-solderable substrates

• Corrosion protection

• Excellent heat conductivity

• Electrical conductivity

• Highly malleable

• Highly ductile

• Excellent lubricity

• Non toxic

• Aesthetically pleasing

• Cost effective

Select Applications / Industries

• Electronics

• Defense

• Aerospace

• Food packaging

• Telecommunications

• Jewelry manufacturing

Physical Properties / Specs

• Coating Thickness:

• .0001 to .0006 inches

• Aesthetic Appearance:

• Gray-white

• Finishes - Either matte or bright luster

Substrates

• Ferrous: All ferrous alloys including many Steel alloys

• Cuprous: Pure Copper and all cuprous alloys including Copper Molybdenum, Copper Beryllium (BeCu), Copper Tellurium (TeCu), Brass & more

• All Aluminum Alloys Including Wrought, Cast and Proprietary Alloys (MIC-6)

• Exotics & Others: Inconel, Kovar, Monel, Tellurium, Magnesium, Nickel, Lead & more

Underplates

• Copper

• Electrolytic Nickel

• Electroless Nickel

• Silver

• Tin

• Lead

Pre-Treatments Available

• Mechanical Cleaning

• Custom Masking

• Chemical Films

Post-Treatments Available

• Laser Marking

• Engraving

• Chemical Films

• Hydrogen Embrittlement Stress Relief

Specs & Certifications

• AMS 2408

• ASTM B545 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant

• MIL-T-10727 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant

• Various company specifications

Please Note

• Bright Tin generally is preferred for electrical contact applications such as bus bars, terminals and switch components not soldered to

• Matte Tin is preferred f or solderable applications as it is free of the organic additives found in Bright Tin

• Tin deposits will oxidize over time so storage of the plated components should be considered for extending shelf life. Preplates of other metals, most commonly nickel, are also used as an effective barrier against diffusion and can significantly extend the solderability shelf life of tin plated parts.

• Because Tin changes structure and loses adhesion when exposed to temperatures below -40 Fahrenheit (-40 Celcius) Tin plating is recommended for low temperature applications

Contact Us

Depending on your end goals Tin Electroplating could be an excellent option for your surface finishing needs. If you have a unique part, specialized needs or simply want to work with the best, please reach out and let us know how we can help you achieve the results you need.