The advantages of using tin plated copper conductors is the low cost increased solderability and corrosion resistance.
Tin plated copper wire resistance.
Follow along as we show just how important it is.
Electroplating of acid gold on underlying copper or nickel plated circuits reduces contact resistance as well as surface hardness.
However tin plated conductor does have drawbacks.
Sounds simple but there s more to it than that.
Copper plated areas of mild steel act as a mask if case hardening of such areas are not desired.
Also tin has relatively low conductivity and when plated over copper forms an inter metallic layer which will increase resistance compared to bare or silver plated wire.
Here we review some of the key differences between common platings for aerospace wires.
If the bare wire has a bright finish the tin plating will have a more lustrous appearance.
Tinned copper vs bare copper the advantages of tinned copper are impossible to deny.
Tin has a relatively low melting temperature and therefore provides little if any improvement to the operating temperature range of copper.
Wire also known as hook up wire this wire is primarily used for wiring electrical panels lighting and plant floor equipment.
If the bare wire has a matte finish the tin plating deposit will have more of a matte luster.
Well the short answer is that tinned copper is copper coated by a base alloy such as solder better known as tin.
Tin plated copper is a common choice for wire conductor within the aerospace industry.
The tin coating provides a higher level of corrosion resistance and makes it easier to solder than mirror like multipurpose 110 copper wire.