Drawing a tinned copper wire

Hello everybody,

My company is using hot dip coating technology for copper wire. Copper wire is drawn until reaching the diameter that we want. After that, it is hot dip tinned.

Now, I am researching tin-plating copper wire via electroplating and the the tinned copper wire will then be drawn to a smaller diameter..

I have some queries:

1. After tin-plating via electroplating, does the tinned copper wire need any processes for its surface?

2. In the next drawing process, what will we have to pay attention to make sure the tin layer is guaranteed after drawing?

Please give me some advice.

Thank you very much.

Do Van Bac

Hello Mr. Do Van Bac,

As you are already aware, the hot dip tinning of drawn-to-size annealed copper wire, results in a surface of the tin that is rough even though the wire passed through a wiping die.

On the other hand when electroplating with tin on any copper wire, the tin surface is very smooth and of constant thickness as long as the wire was properly cleaned beforehand and that the electroplating settings remained constant

One of the major problems with electroplating however is strict environmental control so that no contaminants get into your sewer system. Closed cascading, forward rinsing systems along with evaporation are therefore typically used.

One problem with the drawing of tinned copper wire is the contamination of the drawing lubricant and annealing cooling water so that the drawing machine in question is not on some large drawing lubricant system and annealer cooling reservoir system.

1."After tin-plating via electroplating, does the tinned copper wire need any processes for its surface?" No, as long as you have not damaged the surface in the annealer or on the take-up.

2. "In the next drawing process, what will we have to pay attention to make sure the tin layer is guaranteed after drawing?" You have to inspect the final tin thickness on a statistical basis to ensure the proper thickness of tin is there. This is generally done with a good measuring microscope.

Use suitable die

Hello Mr ikiz

When we were re-drawing electro-tinned copper wire, we were using a Syncro C-13 drawing machine with ceramic rings and a Syncro C-3 electric AC annealer. As I recall, the last three dies were new natural diamond and the balance of the dies were new, high polish carbide. All dies had the standard angles for copper wire. The drawing lubricant was Lusol WD-1 synthetic and we had a slightly higher lubricant concentration than the recommended than that recommended for the intermediate drawing of copper wire.

That was long ago, before nano diamond dies and polycrystalline diamond dies (Which of course would have been a disaster.) If you have some other experience with re-drawing of tinned copper wire, I am sure that we would all appreciate your understanding , die and lubricant parameters and your hands-on experience..

We look forward to your information.

Thank you.

Hello Mr. Peter J Stewart-Hay,

Thank you for your information. That's very useful for me to research.

Have a nice day!!!

Thanks and Best regards.