Technical Data
Choosing base materials and stranding techniques allows for metals to take on different characteristics that are needed for specific jobs. Another great option for maximizing and customizing the properties conductors is through metal plating.
Base metals like beryllium copper are used because of their strong conductivity, high strength, and consistent mechanical performance, but its ability can be heightened through plating with a variety of different metals. Plating improves the qualities of the base metals they plate. The most commonly used metals for plating are:
Tin: this metal commonly coats copper and copper alloys. This is usually the case because of the excellent price point and strong solderability. Thick tin coatings resist chemicals and corrosion. Tin also has a low melting point, which helps to improve the temperature range of the copper it is platting.
Silver: this metal has some of the best conductivity on the market. It can also reduce the resistance of the plated wire. Silver plated wire is commonly used in conjunction with the high-frequency applications.
Nickel: nickel is one of the hardest material options for plating, and it offers excellent resistance to higher temperatures. The thicker the nickel plating, the larger the operating temperature range is. Nickel operates fine in harsh environments.
Beryllium Copper
We offer many options for plating metal including on beryllium copper wire.