Technical Data
There are many techniques one can utilize to enhance their wiring. Many individuals choose to improve base metals with wire plating. Plated wire is a cost-effective way to combine the advantages of two metals. Copper and copper-based alloy are the most common base metals because they are reasonably priced, offer high conductivity, and have excellent mechanical performance. There are many metals to choose from when plating these wires, but the three most popular are silver, nickel, and tin.
Benefits of Using Silver
- Provides exceptionally high conductivity
- Improves chemical resistance
- Increased high-temperature performance
- The solderability is excellent. Silver may experience some oxidation, but the impact on solderability is negligible.
- The main downside is that it’s more costly than tin or nickel
Benefits of Using Nickel
- More durable than other metals
- Provides exceptional resistance to high temperatures
- Crimp termination is an ideal choice for nickel-plated metal
- Resistant to corrosion and harsh environments
- The main downside is that soldering is often difficult. It typically requires an activated flux.
Benefits of Using Tin
- The most common of the three
- Cost-effective
- Offers excellent solderability
- When plated over copper, it creates an inter-metallic layer which increases resistance
- Has a low melting temperature
- The low melting temperature can be a downside when applied to copper because it doesn’t improve the operating temperature range
Many manufacturers and industries choose to plate wire with other metals to improve performance when working with base metals. If you want to know more about plated wire, call us today.