International

, Standard
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION.ME~YHAPOJJHAR OPrAHM3AUMR fl0 CTAH,QAPTM3Ai&4M~ORGANISATlON INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALlSATlON

Electroplated coatings of tin - Specification and test

methods
D6pO ts 6lec tro/ytiques d ‘4 tain - Spkifications et mkthodes d’essai

Second edition - 1986-12-15

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ISO 2093:1986
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02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986

UDC 669.687 Ref. No. ISO 20934986 (E)

Descriptors : metal coatings, electrodeposited coatings, tin coatings, ciassifications, specifications, tests, determination, thickness, adhesion.

Price based on 8 pages

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national Standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International
Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Esch member
body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, govern-
mental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take patt in the work.

Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to

the member bodies for approval before their acceptance as International Standards by
the ISO Council. They are approved in accordance with ISO procedures requiring at
least 75 % approval by the member bodies voting.

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

International Standard ISO 2093 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 107,
Me taliic and o ther non-organic cos tings.
(standards.iteh.ai)
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 2093-1973), of which it
constitutes a technical revision.
ISO 2093:1986
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02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986
Users should note that all International Standards undergo revision from time to time
and that any reference made herein to any other International Standard implies its
latest edition, unless otherwise stated.

0 International Organkation for Standardkation, 1986 l

Printed in Switzerland
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20934986 (EI

Electroplated coati,ngs of tin - Specification and test

methods

0 Introduction ISO 2177, Metallic coatings - Measurement of coating

thickness - Coulometric method by anodic dissolution.
This International Standard specifies requirements for elec-
troplated coatings of tin on fabricated metal articles to protect ISO 2819, Metallic coatings on metallic Substrates - Elec-
them from corrosion and to facilitate soldering. trodeposited and chemically deposited coatings - Review of
me thods a vailable for tes ting adhesion .
Attention is drawn to legislative requirements that exist in many
countries for tin coatings used in the food industry. ISO 2859, Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by at-
tributes. 2)
Annex C gives additional information as guidance to the User.
IS 0 3497, Metallic cos tings - Measuremen ts of cos ting
It is essential that the purchaser should state the infor- thickness - X-ray spectrometric methods.
mation itemized in 4.1 and, if appropriate, 4.2. Specifying
ISO 2093 without this information is insufficient.
iTeh STANDARDofISOPREVIEW 3543, Metallic and non-metallic coatings - Measurements
thickness - Beta backscatter method.

1 Scope and field of application (standards.iteh.ai)

ISO 3768, Metallic coatings - Neutral salt Spray test (NSS
tes tl.
This International Standard specifies requirements for elec-
ISO
troplated coatings of nominally pure tin on fabricated metal ar-2093:1986
ISO 4519, Electrodeposited metallic coatings and related
ticles. The coatings may behttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/9bff49c6-a97a-4bb7-995f-
dull or bright as electroplated or finishes - Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes.
may be flow-melted by fusion after electroplating. 02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986
ISO 8988, Metallic and other non-organic coatings - Sulfur
lt does not apply to dioxide fest with general condensation of moisture.
a) threaded components ; IEC Publication 68-2-20, Basic environmental testing pro-
b) tin-coated topper wire; cedures - Test T: Soldering.

c) coatings on sheet, Strip or wire in unfabricated form, or

on articles made from them;
d) coatings on coil springs;
e) coatings applied by Chemical means (immersion, 3 Definitions
autocatalytic or “electroless”) ;
For the purpose of this International Standard, the following
f) electroplating of steels with tensile strength greater than definitions apply.
1 000 MPal) (or of corresponding hardness), because such
steels are subject to hydrogen embrittlement (sec 8.2).
31 significant surface : The part of the article covered or to
be covered by the coating and for which the coating is essential
for serviceability and/or appearance.
2 References
(Definition taken from ISO 2064.)
ISO 1463, Metallic and Oxide coatings - Measurement of
cos ting thickness - Microscopical method.
3.2 flow-melting ; fusing ; flow-brightening ; reflowing :
ISO 2064, Metallic and other non-organic coatings - Defi- A process by which a coating is melted in Order to impart
nitions and conventions concerning the measurement of desirable properties such as brightness or improved solder-
thickness. ability (see clause C.4).

1) 1MPa=1N/mm2

2) At present at the Stage of draft. (Revision of ISO 2859-1974.)

 ISO 20934986 (E)

4 Information to be supplied by the purchaser 7 Classif ication

to the electroplater
7.1 Service condition number
4.1 Essential information
The Service condition number indicates the severity of the ser-
The following information shall be supplied by the purchaser to vice conditions in accordance with the following scale:
the electroplater :
4 : exceptionally severe - for example Service outdoors in
a) the number of this International Standard; severe corrosive conditions or contact with food or drink
where a complete cover of tin has to be maintained against
b) the nature of the basis material (see clause 5); corrosion and abrasion (sec C. 1.1).
c) the Service condition number (see 7.1) or the classifi- 3 : severe - for example Service outdoors in typical
cation code of the coating required (see 7.2); temperate conditions
d) the significant surface of the article to be electroplated 2 : moderate - for example Service indoors with some
indicated, for example, by drawings or by the Provision of condensation
suitably marked samples ;
1: mild - for example Service indoors in dry atmospheres
e) the sampling procedure to be adopted (sec clause 6); or applications where solderability is the primary require-
f) the positions where unavoidable contact marks and ment
other defects are acceptable (sec 10.1);
NOTE - See 10.2, which gives guidance on the relation between ser-
g) the method of adhesion testing to be used (sec 10.3). vice condition number and minimum thickness.

When specifying the Service condition number or coating classification

Code, it should be noted that tin is susceptible to darnage in abrasive
environments or in those containing certain organic vapours. See also
4.2 Additional information C.I.I.
iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
The following additional information may be required and, if so,
shall be specified by the purchaser: (standards.iteh.ai)
7.2 Coating classification code

a) any heat treatment required (sec clause 8) ; The coating classification code shall consist of four Parts, the
first two of which shall be separated
ISO 2093:1986 by an oblique stroke, as
b) any requirements for porosity testing (see 10.4); follows :
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cr any requirement for solderability testing and the test
02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986
methods and conditions to be applied (sec 10.5); alb c d

d) any special requirements for undercoats (sec clause 9) ; where

e) a Sample showing the required finish (sec 10.1) ; a indicates the Chemical Symbol for the basis metal (or for
the main constituent if an alloy) ;
f) any special pretreatment required;
b indicates the Chemical Symbol for the undercoat metal
g) any specific requirements for the purity of the coating (or for the main constituent if an alloy) followed by a figure
(sec clauses 0 and C.5); for its minimum coating thickness, in micrometres, and is
, omitted if no undercoat is required [see 4.2 d)] ;
h) any special packaging requirements for plated com-
ponents; - c indicates the Chemical Symbol for tin, Sn, followed bY a
i) any special post-plating treatment. figure for its minimum thickness, in micrometres ;
d indicates the surface finish, by the Symbol m if the
coating is matt, or b if it is bright electroplated or f if it is
flow-melted.
5 Basis material An example is
Fe/Ni 2,5 Sn 5 f

which represents an iron or steel basis metal, with a 2,5 Pm

nicke1 undercoat, tin electroplated to a coating thickness of
5 Pm and flow-melted.

6 Sampling 8 Heat treatment of steel

Sampling procedures are specified in ISO 2859 and ISO 4519. 8.1 Stress relief before electroplating

The method of sampling and acceptance shall be agreed Severely cold-worked steel Parts shall be stress relieved before
between purchaser and supplier. electroplating by heating for 1 h at 190 to 220 OC.

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 ISO 20934986 (El

.The properties of some steels which have been carburized, 10 Requirements for coatings
flame-hardened or induction-hardened and subsequently
ground would be impaired by this treatment and shall instead 10.1 Appearance
be stress relieved at a lower temperature, for example at 130 to
150 OC for not less than 5 h. When examined by the unaided eye or corrected Vision the
significant surfaces of the electroplated article shall be free
from any visible defects such as blisters, pits, roughness,
8.2 Hydrogen embrittlement relief after Cracks or unelectroplated areas, and shall not be stained or
electroplating discoloured.

Because diffusion of hydrogen through tin is very slow, heat The acceptability and positions of unavoidable contact marks
treatment for hydrogen embrittlement relief after electroplating and defects on non-significant surfaces shall be specified by
is impractical. the purchaser.

The finished article shall be clean and free from darnage. The
surface shall be of a smooth texture, free from nodules and,
9 Requirements for undercoats where fused, shall be free from dewetted areas.

Undercoats may be necessary on certain basis materials for any If necessary, a Sample showing the required finish shall be sup-
of the following reasons: plied or approved by the purchaser.

a) to prevent diffusion (sec C.2.2 and C.2.3); 10.2 Thickness

b) to retain solderability (see C.2.2, C.2.3 and C.2.4) ;
Tin coatings are classified by thickness and for each Service
c) to ensure adhesion (see C.2.4 and C.2.5) ;
condition (sec 7.11, minimum values are specified in the table
d) to improve protection against corrosion. (sec also C.3.2).
iTeh STANDARDThePREVIEW
thickness of the coating shall be measured over a reference
Care should be taken to select an undercoat or undercoat
(standards.iteh.ai)
area (sec ISO 2064) by the appropriate method given in an-
System that will not confer undesirable properties such as em-
nex A on any part of the significant surface that tan be touch-
brittlement of the basis material or finished article. For example
the use of highly stressed nicke1 should be avoided. ed with a 20 mm diameter ball. In the case of articles having a
ISO 2093:1986 significant surface area of 100 mm2 or greater, the minimum
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If the basis material is a topper alloy containing zinc as an alloy- thickness shall be regarded as the minimum value of local
ing constituent, and solderable properties are required,02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986
a nicke1 thickness. In the case of articles having a significant surface
or topper undercoat of minimum local thickness 2,5 Fm is area of less than 100 mm*, the minimum thickness shall be
essential in addition to the specified coating thickness of tin regarded as the minimum value of average thickness.
(sec C.2.3); such coatings may also be necessary to retain
good appearance and adhesion. In the case of printed circuit boards with electroplated-through
holes, the requirements shall apply to the surfaces within the
If an undercoat is specified, its nature (see annex C) and holes, as well as to the areas that tan be touched with a 20 mm
minimum local thickness (see 10.2) shall be specified by the diameter ball.
purchaser.
In the case of flow-melted coatings, the thickness requirements
The thickness of the undercoat or undercoats shall be apply to the as-electroplated condition, Prior to flow-melting.
measured by the appropriate method specified in annex A. (See C.3.2., clause C.4 and annex A.)

Table - Coating thicknesses

Copper basis materials 1) Other basis materials*)

Service ~-
condition (Partial) Minimum (Partial) Minimum
number classification thickness classif ication thickness
--
code w code I-rm
4 Sn 30 30 Sn 30 30
3 Sn 15 15 Sn 20 20
2 Sn 8 IO Sn 12 12
1 Sn 5 5 Sn 5 5

1) Attention is drawn to the essential requirement in clause 9 for undercoats on topper alloy basis materials
that contain zinc as an alloying constituent.

2) See C.2.4 and C.2.5 regarding the need to undercoat certain basis materials.

3
In case of dispute, the referee methods are as given in A.0.2. 10.5 Solderability (see clause A.2)

10.3 Ad hesion 10.5.1 General materials and piece Parts

When tested by one of the methods described in annex B, as If specified by the purchaser, solderability shall be tested in ac-
specified by the purchaser, the coating shall not show signs of cordante with method 1 of test Ta of IEC Publication 68-2-20,
detachment. using non-activated flux.

10.4 Porosity If accelerated ageing before the test is required, the procedure
shall be specified by the purchaser.
If specified by the purchaser, coatings having a minimum
thickness of 10 pm or greater shall be subjected to a test as
follows :
10.5.2 Printed circuit boards
a) for ferrous basis materials, the test given in ISO 3768;
If specified by the purchaser, a coating complying with this
b) for non-ferrous basis material, the test given in International Standard on printed circuit boards shall be tested
ISO 6988. in accordance with test TC of IEC Publication 68-2-20.

In either case, there shall be no evidente of corrosion of the If accelerated ageing before the test is required, the procedure
su bstrate when viewed with a magnification of X3 (sec C.1.1). shall be specified by the purchaser.

iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW

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ISO 2093:1986
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02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986

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 ISO 20934986 (El

Annex A

Determination of coating thickness

(This annex forms an integral part of the Standard.)

A.0 Introductory notes A.0.2.6 Thickness of tin in electroplated-through holes

of circuit boards
A.O.1 Routine methods Use the microscopical method specified in Al .l. The
microsection shall be parallel to the axis of the hole and perpen-
All the methods given in this annex are those which are con- dicular to the surface where the coating or layer is to be
sidered to have an adequate accuracy when properly used with measured (sec ISO 1463).
samples suitable for the particular method. The method Chosen
for routine test purposes shall be one which is expected to yield
the most reliable results considering such factors as coating A.l Measurement of local thickness
thickness, shape of component, size of component, coating
composition, basis material, etc.
A.l.l Microscopical method
Other test methods may be used if it tan be demonstrated that
they are as good as or better than the methods given in this an- Use the method specified in ISO 1463, with the overplating
nex for the particular application. procedure, overplating with not less than IO Pm of topper.

This method is stated to have an accuracy of &0,8 Pm or, for

A.O.2 Referee methods
thicknesses greater than 25 Pm, to within 5 %.

A.0.2.1 General
A.1.2 Coulometric method
iTeh STANDARDUsePREVIEW
In cases of dispute, the methods designated for referee pur-
the method specified in ISO 2177. This method is stated to
(standards.iteh.ai)
poses shall be in accordance with A.0.2.2. to A.0.2.6. For the
coulometric and analytical methods, the density of the tin shall
be normally accurate to within IO %.
be taken as 7,30 g/cm3 even though this may result in a
thickness value less than the true thickness. ISO 2093:1986A.1.3 Beta backscatter method
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Use the method specified in ISO 3543, which requires the
A.0.2.2 Local thickness greater than 9 Pm 02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986
equipment and its Operation to be such that the coating
thickness tan be determined to within 10 % of its true value;
Use the microscopical method specified in A. 1 .l .
this accuracy is dependent on the mass per unit area of the
coating and the effective atomic number of the basis material.
A.0.2.3 Local thickness less than 9 pm

Use the coulometric method specified in A.1.2 if the coating A.1.4 X-ray spectrometric method
surface is sufficiently smooth and flat so that there is no
leakage of the electrolyte at the cell-probe; otherwise use the Use the method specified in ISO 3497, which requires the in-
microscopical method specified in A. 1.1. strument, its calibration and its Operation to be such that the
coating thickness tan be determined to within 10 % of its true
NOTE - For the coulometric measurement of undercoats, it is essen- value.
tial to remove the tin first. This tan be accomplished by the
coulometric dissolution of the tin coating or by stripping as described
for the analytical method specified in clause A.2. A.2 Measurement of average thickness

A.0.2.4 Average thickness of tin on topper, nicke1 or A.2.1 Principle

steel
A suitable coated specimen (or number of specimens, if small)
Use the analytical method specified in A.2 of known sutface area is cleaned, weighed, stripped of its
coating by Chemical dissolution and re-weighed.
A.0.2.5 Average thickness of undercoat and of tin on
undercoats on basis material such as aluminium The method is not generally suitable for coatings on small Parts
or on certain metals (sec C.2.5). In appropriate cases, the
Use the coulometric method specified in A.1.2 if the coating average of a number of microsection determinations should be
surface is sufficiently smooth and flat so that there is no used for the determination of average thickness (sec ISO 2064).
leakage of the electrolyte at the cell-probe; otherwise use the
microscopical method specified in A. 1.1. The microsection A.2.2 Reagents
shall traverse the centre of the test specimen, and at least five
evenly spaced measurements shall be made along the During the analysis, use only reagents of recognized analytical
microsection. grade and only distilled water or water of equivalent purity.

5
ISO 20934986 (EI

A.2.2.1 For stripping from iron basis materials and immersed fo.r 2 min after the evolution of gas has ceased.
nicke1 undercoats Remove from the Solution, wash thoroughly in running water,
brushing off any smut. Dry and weigh to the nearest 0,001 g.
Dissolve 20 g of antimony trioxide in 1 000 ml of cold concen-
trated hydrochloric acid (Q = 1,16 to IJ8 g/ml). A.2.4.2 For topper and topper alloys

NOTE - Articles stripped using this Solution may not be suitable for Weigh the cleaned test specimen (A.2.3) to the nearest
reprocessing .
0,001 g, immerse it in the stripping Solution (A.2.2.2) and
remove immediately the coating has completely dissolved.
A.2.2.2 For stripping from topper and topper alloys Wash thoroughly ir running water, dry and weigh to the
nearest 0,001 g.
Hot (minimum 90 OC) concentrated hydrochloric acid (Q = 1,16
to 1,18 g/ml).
A.2.5 Expression of results
A.2.3 Test specimen
The coating thickness, in micrometres, is given by the formula
Use a test specimen or specimens of total surface area suffi-
cient to give a mass loss of not less than 0,l g, the area of hl 1 - m2)
x 137 x IO3
which tan be measured to an accuracy of 2 % or better. A
Remove all soil from the test specimen by washing it in a
suitable solvent or by vapour degreasing.
m, is the mass, in grams, of the test specimen before stripp-
A.2.4 Procedure ing ;
is the mass, in grams, of the test specimen after stripping ;
A.2.4.1 For iron basis materials and nicke1 undercoats
A is the surface area, in Square millimetres, of the test
on topper and topper alloys iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
specimen ;
Weigh the cleaned test specimen (A.2.3) to the (standards.iteh.ai)
nearm
0,001 g, immerse it in the stripping Solution (A.2.2.1) and leave
137 x 103 is a factor based on the density, 7,30 glcm3, of
tin.

ISO 2093:1986
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02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986

Annex IS

Adhesion tests
(This annex forms an integral part of the Standard.)

B.1 Burnishing test vice). Bend the Sample through 90° and back to its original
Position. Carry out this procedure three times. Examine the
Apply the method described in ISO 2819 to an area of not more specimen for signs of detachment of the coating.
than 600 mm* of the significant surface.

NOTE - An agate dental spatula with a handle 60 to 100 mm long and

agate blade 30 to 50 mm long, 5 to 10 mm wide, and sharpened to a
slightly radiused edge has been found to be a very satisfactory bur-
B.3 Thermal shock test
nishing tool.
CAUTION - This test may have an adverse effect on the
mechanical properties of the article tested. Accordingly,
B.2 Bend test the thermal shock test specimen shall not be used for
other tests.
Place the Sample in a suitable machine, capable of applying a
bend of radius 4 mm to the Sample (or in the jaws of a suitable Use the method described in ISO 2819.

6
 ‘ISO 20934986 (EI

Annex C

Guidance notes
(This annex does not form part of the Standard.)

These notes are intended to draw the attention of the user to

a) certain properties of tin which, if not understood, may lead to inappropriate use of the coating ;
b) properties and preparation of the Substrate;
c) electroplating practice.

C.1 Properties of the coating

C.l.1 General

Tin coatings are soft and easily abraded. Some corrosion of tin may be expected in certain outdoor exposure conditions and,
therefore, deposit thicknesses considerably greater than those specified for a given Service condition may be required. The
thicknesses specified in the table are minimum values and the use of thicknesses greater than those specified may be required. In nor-
mal indoor exposure, tin gives protection to most metals except, especially on ferrous metals, at discontinuities and pore sites in the
coating. The porosity of an electroplated coating is governed not only by its thickness but also by such variables as the condition of
the basis material and general electroplating practice, and this should be borne in mind when specifying the porosity test.

Electroplated coatings covered by this International Standard tan provide thinner or thicker coati ngs than those normally ned by
hot-dipping. iTeh STANDARD PREVIEW
Cl.2 Whisker growth
(standards.iteh.ai)
Electroplated tin is liable to the spontaneous growth of ISO metal2093:1986
‘whiskers’ (filaments), especially on stressed coatings. If the possibility
of whisker growth is considered to be a liability, flow-melting of the coatings or the use of tin-lead alloy coatings should be con-
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sidered. The use of suitable undercoats, for example nickel, may retard the growth of whiskers.
02ce0fffe01c/iso-2093-1986
C.l.3 Allotropic changes

High-purity tin coatings are subject to allotropic Change (to a- or grey-tin) if su bjected to su temperatures. For such conditions
the use of tin-lead or other suitable tin alloy coatings should be considered

c2. Properties and preparation of the basis material

C.2.1 Surface condition

The surface condition of the coating will depend partly on the surface condition of the basis material.

C.2.2 Formation of intermetallic compounds

The interdiffusion of the coating with topper and topper-base alloys by a solid/solid diffusion process is dependent on time and
temperature, and tan lead to darkening and poor solderability with thin coatings. The rate of deterioration depends on the storage
conditions but in poor conditions storage life may be only a few months.

C.2.3 Diffusion of ‘zinc

Zinc, from zinc-containing alloys such as brass, diffuses through the tin coating to the surface and degrades the solderability, ad-
hesion and appearance (sec clause 9).

C.2.4 “Difficult” basis materials

Some basis materials, for example phosphor-bronze, beryllium-topper and nickel-iron alloys, are difficult to prepare chemically clean
because of the nature of the surface Oxide film. If solderability is a requirement of the tin coating, an undercoat of nicke1 or topper of a
minimum local thickness of 2,5 Fm may be advantageous.
.
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