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ductile metals

Tin Plating

For Both Functional Reliability and Aesthetic Versatility

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Tin Plating for Corrosion Resistance and Solderability

Tin plating is a soft and ductile metal that varies from matte gray to bright white in color. The plating process is common in various industries to coat metal objects with a layer of tin, primarily to enhance solderability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. This electroplating technique applies a thin layer of tin onto the surface of metals such as steel, copper, and brass.
Tin plating is particularly useful in the food production, electronics, and marine sectors due to tin's non-toxic nature and excellent electrical conductivity properties. The metal is also chosen for its ability to prevent the corrosion of base metals, a crucial quality for components exposed to varying environmental conditions​.
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Tin Plating for Marine Environments

Armoloy’s tin plating is a valued surface solution for marine environments where metal components are consistently exposed to corrosive saltwater. The tin coating serves as a protective barrier, preventing the underlying metal, such as copper or steel, from direct contact with corrosive elements. This significantly extends the lifespan of marine equipment, including fasteners, connectors, and wiring, reducing the frequency and cost of maintenance. Additionally, tin’s ability to resist marine growth, such as algae and barnacles, ensures that components remain functional and efficient over time.

 

Features & Benefits of Tin Plating

  • Excellent Corrosion Protection: Shields metal surfaces from the corrosive effects of saltwater, prolonging the life of marine equipment.
  • Resistance to Marine Growth: Inhibits the attachment of algae, barnacles, and other organisms, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
  • Extended Durability: Enhances the longevity of components, lowering maintenance costs and downtime.
  • High Solderability: Facilitates easy repairs and reliable electrical connections in marine wiring.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Tin is non-toxic, making it a safer choice for marine applications.

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Tin Plating Highlights

  • Non-toxic
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Ductile
  • Malleable
  • Low porosity
  • Good lubricity
  • FDA Approved
  • Enhances solderability

Proven applications

Tin plating has improved the long-term performance of components and applications in industries that include:

  • Food packaging
  • Electronics
  • Aerospace
  • Jewlery manufacturing
  • Telecommunications
  • Storage containers

Test Methods used to Certify Coatings

  • AMS 2408 Rev. J
  • ASTM B545
  • ISO 2093
  • MIL-T-10727

Performance Characteristics

Tin Plating by the Numbers

  • Minimum thickness of 0.0001" for electrical contact
  • For mild service, a minimum thickness of 0.0002"
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  • Minimum thickness of 0.00039" for steel base material
  • Minimum thickness of 0.00118" for severe service conditions
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Tin Plating

Features & Benefits

Corrosion resistance

Tin is highly resistant to corrosion, making it suitable for coating parts that are exposed to the environment or those used in food processing

Excellent solderability

The low melting point of tin enhances its solderability, which is essential for electrical and electronic applications

Non-toxicity

Tin is a non-toxic metal, making it safe for use in food packaging and other consumer goods

Aesthetic appeal

Tin plating can be finished with a bright or matte appearance, providing flexibility in terms of the visual qualities of the plated objects

Cost effectiveness

Compared to precious metals like silver and gold, tin is more economical for electroplating applications

Ductility

Tin’s ductility allows it to be easily formed and bent without damage, which is beneficial during the manufacturing of plated parts

Prevents “whiskering”

Although tin whiskers can be a problem, adding elements like lead or bismuth to the tin can help minimize this risk, ensuring the reliability of electronic components​

Flexibility in applications

Tin plating is versatile and can be applied to a variety of base metals, enhancing the functional life of components

The Science Behind Tin Plating

How it Works

The process of tin plating involves several key steps, starting with the thorough cleaning of the substrate to remove any impurities that might affect the adhesion or quality of the coating. This is typically followed by the preparation of an electrolytic solution where tin salts are dissolved along with other chemicals to facilitate the plating process. The substrate, acting as the cathode, is immersed in this solution, and an electrical current is passed through it, causing tin ions to deposit onto the substrate’s surface.

The specifics of the bath composition, such as whether it is an acid or alkaline solution, affect the properties of the tin layer, such as its appearance and structural integrity. Post-plating, parts may undergo processes like reflow to enhance the finish or heat treatment to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.

Additional Metal Treatments

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How Metals Fail

Some of the most common metal failures include:

Armoloy’s different metal coating solutions help industries avoid costly metal failures and unplanned downtime.

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