Tin electroplating usually has good corrosion resistance and can pass a salt spray test for a certain amount of time, which is a common way to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the coating. The salt spray test is to spray a fog containing a certain concentration of salt water into the sample in a specific environment, and then expose the sample for a period of time to observe whether the surface corrosion phenomenon. Salt spray testing can be performed according to different standards, such as ASTM B117, ISO 9227, etc., and the test conditions and duration can vary depending on the application or customer's needs.
In order to pass the salt spray test, an electroplated tin layer is required:
1. Good plating adhesion: The plating must bond well to the substrate material, which usually requires proper cleaning and activation prior to plating.
2. Proper plating thickness: The thickness of the tin plating layer affects its corrosion resistance. The thicker the plating, the better the resistance to salt spray environments usually is, but at the same time, increased thickness may affect other properties of the plating.
3. Continuity of the coating: The coating should be uniform and continuous, without cracks or holes. Any small defects can be a source of corrosion.
4. Control of impurities and defects: The level of impurities in the plating solution must be kept low, as well as the avoidance of defects such as porosity and bubbles during the plating process, which may reduce the corrosion resistance of the plated layer.
5. Use of tin plating brightener: The corrosion resistance of the plated layer can be enhanced by adding Bigely tin plating brightener to the bath.
6. Post-treatment: In some cases it may be necessary to post-treat the plating, e.g. by sealing it with Bigely tin protectant to enhance its corrosion resistance.
If the tin plating process and subsequent treatments are correct, it is possible for the plated layer to successfully pass the salt spray test. However, the exact duration of the salt spray test depends on the performance of the plated layer and the proper management of the plating solution. After using Bigely tin plating brightener, not only the adhesion and thickness of the plated layer are good, but also the service guidance of Bigely technical engineers, who can come to your home to help you open the groove, and you can consult with us if you encounter any problems in the production process.
If you are interested in tin plating brightener, please feel free to contact us.
