Tin Lead Plating
Is it possible to plate a cold-rolled steel part with a minimum 5–7 percent lead content tin plate?
Q. We have recently received a request to plate a cold-rolled steel part with a minimum 5–7 percent lead content tin plate. My plating vendors have told me they can only do 60/40 tin/lead.
Is this so, or are our platers just not set up to do this type of plate? M.C.
A. Sixty/forty tin/lead plating has been the standard type of solder plate for many years. In fact, I would call it a classic plating bath. But things have changed; with the emphasis of removing lead from our environment, newer tin/lead plating baths are available.
For example, a 90/10 tin/lead plating bath is now commonly available. The 90/10 tin/lead has different properties compared with the 60/40 tin/lead,
however, so if there is no problem with lead content, the 60/40 plate is routinely specified.
To be on the safe side I would go back to the specifier and determine if 5–7 percent lead is a minimum amount or the actual amount required.
Related Content
-
Troubleshooting Alkaline Zinc
One of the most common problems that can arise when plating with alkaline zinc is an imbalance of brightener in the solution. In this helpful Ask the Expert article, Chad Murphy of Columbia Chemical discusses how different zinc metal concentrations and brightener concentrations can impact efficiency.
-
3 Tests to Ensure Parts are Clean Prior to Plating
Making sure that all of the pre-processing fluids are removed prior to plating is not as simple as it seems. Rich Held of Haviland Products outlines three tests that can help verify that your parts are clean.
-
Nanotechnology Start-up Develops Gold Plating Replacement
Ag-Nano System LLC introduces a new method of electroplating based on golden silver nanoparticles aimed at replacing gold plating used in electrical circuits.
