This specification covers the requirements for electrodeposited tin coatings applied to metallic articles to provide a low contact resistance surface, to protect against corrosion, to facilitate soldering, to provide anti-galling properties, and to be a stop-off coating in the nitriding of high-strength steels. This specification does not cover hot-dipped tin or other non-electrodeposited coatings, and mill products. Coatings shall be grouped into six service classes, which is based on the minimum thickness and severity of service required for the coating, and three surface appearance types, which is based on the type electroplating process employed. The surface appearance types are matte tin electrodeposits, bright tin electrodeposits, and flow-brightened electrodeposits. Coatings shall be sampled, tested and conform accordingly to specified requirements as to appearance, purity, local and mean thickness, integrity (including gross defects, mechanical damage, and porosity), adhesion, solderability, and hydrogen embrittlement relief.

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for electrodeposited (electroplated) coatings of tin applied to metallic articles. Tin coatings are used to provide a low contact-resistance surface, to protect against corrosion (see 1.2), to facilitate soldering, to provide anti-galling properties, and to be a stopoff coating in the nitriding of high-strength steels.

1.2 Some corrosion can be expected from tin coatings exposed outdoors. In normal indoor exposure, tin is protective on iron, steel, nickel, copper, and their alloys. Corrosion can be expected at discontinuities in the coating (such as pores) due to galvanic couples formed between the tin and the underlying metal through the discontinuities, especially in humid atmospheres. Porosity increases as the coating thickness decreases, so that minimum thicknesses must be specified for each application. Parts coated with tin can be assembled safely in contact with iron and steel, tin-coated aluminum, yellow chromated zinc, cadmium, and solder coatings. (See X5.1 for oxidation and corrosion properties.)

1.3 This specification applies to electroplated coatings of not less than 99 % tin (except where deliberately alloyed for special purposes, as stated in X6.3) obtained from any of the available tin electroplating processes (see 4.3).

1.4 This specification does not apply to hot-dipped tin or other non-electrodeposited coating; it also does not apply to mill products. For mill products, refer to Specifications A623 or A623M.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.