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Tin plating problem

2006

We are using tin plating with thickness of 8 to 12 microns on steel contacts.
The procedure is

3 to 5 microns copper and then followed by 8 to 12 microns of tin.

Now the real problem is, after plating this contacts are using for plastic over molding
and in the over molded parts we are finding the lot of tin particles which is not accepted by customer.

My observation is I feel this tin plating is melting as the plastic temp is around 330 degrees.

Please tell me how to avoid this plating melting problem.

Regards,

ARUN Kumar
- Bangalore

What is the nature of the defect causing the rejection? Tin will reflow above 232C, but this does not have to be a problem. Reflowing is done intentionally in a number of electronic applications. The plating has to be performed properly to prevent things like out gassing.

Kurt Sammons
- Inman, South Carolina
2006

adv.