Letter 638

Nickel versus Tin Plated Wire

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I recently read the finishing page on the web, and I thought you might be able to help me find some information. I am interested in researching the pros and cons of Nickel versus Tin plated wire for use in the aerospace industry. I was curious to know if you could help direct me to possible sources of this type of information. I would appreciate any information that you have.

Thank you.

Amy A [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
Electrical Standards Engineer - The Boeing Company

Amy, why would you consider using nickel plated wire? I cannot think of any great advantage it would have over commercially available tin or silver plated wire (speaking as a pilot and a plater).

James Watts
- Navarre, FL

Amy,
I'm not sure exactly where to look, however, a couple of possibilities might be mil specs, standards etc. and ASME literature. I think you might search with key word combinations of "wire, plating, tin, nickel, solderability, ductility".

Good luck

Paul D. Stransky
- Putnam, CT

We restrict the use of anything tin plated for satellite use. Why? Because the stress of a tin plating can result in tin "whiskers." There was a GIDEP Alert about 3 years ago on same. You may wish to check with Boeing's GIDEP representative. Tin whiskers can cause electrical shorts and during a ground test triggered a >200 amp plasma short.

Dave Love
Aerojet

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