WHAT'S NEW at APC?

Artistic Plating to once again Exhibit at 2012 Medical Design and Manufacturing Show in Anaheim, CA – Artistic Plating will be exhibiting in booth 3083 at the upcoming 2012 MD&M West show in Anaheim, CA February 14th-16th 2012….

Tacti-Black Black Electroless Nickel
Looking for a consistent black finish with the corrosion protection, hardness, lubricity and perfect deposit uniformity of electroless nickel?  Look no further than Artistic Plating’s new Tacti-Black Electroless Nickel….

High Purity Silver
Due to sustained growth and demand within the Power Transmission and Defense sectors, Artistic Plating has expanded existing silver plating services with the addition of a full production capacity, high-purity, Type I matte silver plating bath.  This bath conforms to ASTM B700, Type I, Grade A as well as AMS 2410, AMS 2411 and AMS 2412 specifications…

Heavy Build Copper
Coming Fall 2011!  Artistic Plating’s newest state-of-the-art plating line will offer expanded capacity in high-speed, heavy-build copper plating services within the ammunition, defense and HVAC industries.  Thicknesses of over 0.020” per side are attainable on nearly any substrate with this exciting expansion…

Learn More....

 

CERTIFICATIONS

Tin Plating (Electroplating) Services per MIL-T-10727 and ASTM B545

Artistic Plating Company has provided quality functional bright and matte (solderable) tin plating services to MIL-T-10727 and ASTM B545 for over sixty years.  Our expertise in providing precision barrel, rack and vibratory bright and matte tin plating services is currently employed in numerous industries including the power distribution, electronic, telecommunication, medical, marine and aerospace industries. 

Artistic Plating’s expertise in tin plating services ensures proper functionality of the deposit including maximizing solderability for solderable applications (reference How do I make a solderable deposit or What type of tin plating should I use for my application in our Plating Topics section).  Artistic Plating also has the ability to underplate with copper plating or electrolytic nickel plating to enhance the durability or solderability of tin plating applications such as with switchgear or electronic terminals. 

Tin Plating Services – Tin Properties

Tin is a soft, ductile, silvery-white metal that is not easily oxidized in air.  It has good conductivity and corrosion resistance while enhancing solderability of substrates that are not otherwise easily soldered to.  Tin is generally considered non-toxic and non-carcinogenic and as such its use is generally approved for food contact applications.  Tin’s use can be traced back to 3000 BC when its was first alloyed with copper to make bronze weapons and products.

Tin plating services can be broken up into two primary categories:  Bright tin and matte (solderable) tin.  Both deposits are electrolytically applied.  Bright tin has a high degree of luster and is generally preferred for electrical contact applications such as bus bars, terminals and switching components that are not soldered to.  If bright tin is soldered, the codeposited organics in the deposit can burn resulting in a dewetting of the solder and a visible charring of the solder joint.

For solderable applications matte (solderable) tin is recommended, as it is free of the codeposited brighteners integral in bright tin deposits.  For substrates alloyed with zinc (such as brass alloys) it is generally recommended to apply a diffusion barrier or nickel or copper to prevent zinc migration into the tin deposit to prevent formation of an tin intermetallics.  Artistic recommends the use of sulfamate nickel as a diffusion barrier as it affords an excellent solder base for soldering applications.  It is important to note that solderability of tin plated products is a perishable attribute that has a finite life.  Artistic can work with companies to help extend the soldering life of products as much as possible by properly specifying the deposit, preparing the substrate and packaging the plated components.

Tin deposits can have the potential to form filiform tin whiskers that propagate from the surface of the deposit.  For applications where tin whiskers could negatively impact the function of the product, Artistic Plating offers tin/lead plating services that are immune to the potential for whisker growth.  In addition, reflow of tin deposits can help minimize but not fully prevent the formation of tin whiskers.

Tin Plating Services – Tin Specifications

The two most common tin plating services certified by Artistic Plating are MIL-T-10727 and ASTM B545.  Artistic Plating also can certify our tin plating services to ISO 2093 and AMS 2408 as well as most company-specific tin plating specifications.  A summary of tin plating services per the MIL and ASTM specs is as follows:

Tin Plating Services to MIL-T-10727

Type I – Electrodeposited. Recommends use of ASTM B545 for electrodeposits of tin
Type II – Hot Dipped (Artistic Plating does not offer hot dip services)

Intended Uses per Section 6.1 or MIL-T-10727

a.  ASTM B545 outlines thicknesses for various service conditions in section 6, paragraph 6.1
b.  0.0001-0.00025 inch for tin flashing of articles to be soldered
c.  0.0002-0.0004 inch for articles to prevent galling or seizing
d.  0.0003 inch minimum for articles generally plated to prevent corrosion of basis metals
e.  0.0002-0.0006 inch for articles to prevent formation of case during nitriding

Tin Plating Services to ASTM B545

Class A – 0.0001 inch minimum, mild service conditions for applications where the significant surface is shielded from the atmosphere
Class B – 0.0002 inch minimum, mild service conditions with exposed significant surface
Class C – 0.00032 inch minimum (nonferrous), 0.0004 inch minimum (ferrous), moderate service conditions
Class D – 0.0006 inch minimum (nonferrous), 0.0008 inch minimum (ferrous), severe service conditions
Class E – 0.0012 inch minimum, very severe service conditions
Class F – 0.00006 inch minimum, service conditions similar to class A but for short term contact applications and short shelf-life requirements

4.3.1 – Section Covers Matte Tin Electrodeposits
4.3.2 – Section Covers Bright Tin Electrodeposits
4.3.3 – Section Covers Flow Brightened Electrodeposits

6.8 – Class A and F coatings that will not be exposed to solder temperatures should have a nickel underplate of at least 1.3um (50uin) before tin plating.  To prevent zinc migration and impairment of solderability during service or storage, substrates of brass or other copper alloys containing more than 5% zinc must have a copper undercoating of at least 2.5um (100uin) or a nickel underplating of at least 1.3um (50uin) prior to tin plating.  A thicker coating of nickel may be required in some situation for additional retardation (of zinc migration into the tin).  

Tin Plating Services – Why Artistic Plating? 

Artistic Plating provides expertise in tin plating services to fulfill even the most demanding applications.  From prototyping and PPAP qualification to full production processing – it is Artistic’s dedicated effort to exceed your expectations.  The following points highlight why Artistic Plating is a leader in tin plating services:

• Diversity of Substrates:  Artistic Plating provides tin plating services on nearly any metallic substrate including copper & copper alloys including beryllium and tellurium coppers, hardened and alloyed steels, stainless steels, Inconels, Hastalloys, Monels, ductile & cast iron and metalized plastics.
• High Production Commercial Applications:  Artistic plating utilizes a high capacity rack and barrel line to ensure competitive pricing and short lead times on even the largest high-volume requirements for tin plating services. 
• RoHS and REACH Compliance:  Artistic is at the forefront of environmental legislation and can certify our solderable and bright tin plating services as needed to the current RoHS, ELV and REACH regulations.
• Competitive Pricing:  Artistic Plating has been providing quality tin plating services for over sixty years.  Competitive pricing in tin plating services is paramount to gaining and maintaining our customers in today’s competitive global marketplace. 
• Lean Lead Times:  With inventories leaner than ever, rapid turn around is a core competency that we highly value ensure the service our customers need.
• Value Added:  Artistic prides itself on meeting the customer’s needs.  Whether it’s custom engineering packaging, vacuum or nitrogen sealed packaging to enhance storage, Kanban inventory management, light subassembly or multiple finishing combinations – Artistic will work with you to ensure we meeting your needs in tin plating services.
• Extensive in House Analytical and Quality Lab Services:  SPC is employed in all wet-lab work surrounding our tin plating services to ensure baths are analyzed and adjusted at optimum frequencies to ensure operation between critical upper and lower control points.  Our quality lab employs the latest in x-ray, coulometric and spectrophotometer technologies to inspect your parts and will work to your requirements to provide testing as needed.  Our quality lab can certify salt spray performance to ASTM B117, adhesion to ASTM B571 and solderability to ASTM B678.  Mounted cross sections of parts are also available.