Understanding Tinned Copper Wire
1. Introduction
Tinned copper wire is copper wire which is coated with a layer of metallic tin on the surface of copper. These conductors can improve flexibility, solderability, reliability and oxidation resistance. So it can be an excellent material for shielded or high temperature cables.
2. Tinned Copper vs. Bare Copper
Following is a table to check the differences between tinned copper and bare copper directly.
| Characteristics | Tinned Copper | Bare Copper |
| Corrosion Resistance | Very Good | Moderate Good
(Easily oxidized, may form patina with prolonged exposure) |
| Electrical Conductivity | Good | Very Good |
| Solderability | Very Good | Moderate Good |
| High temperature stability | Very Good | Moderate Good |
| Service Life | Very Good | Moderate Good |
| Cost | High | Relatively Low |
3. Advantages of tinned copper
Strong resistance to oxidation:
When we heated tin, its surface can form a protective film of SnO2, preventing the oxygen in the air from further diffusing into it, which can protect the wire well. So some high temperature cable and rubber cable will use tinned copper conductor.
Weldability is good:
This performance makes it is widely used in the electronics industry. Among the zinc, aluminum, tin, gold, silver and other types of copper wire plating metal, tin has the lowest melting point, welding can make the plating quickly fused. Many American Standard electronic wires are tin-plated, such as UL1007 UL1015.
4. Application of tinned copper
- Marine & Offshore
- Renewable Energy
- Automotive & E-Mobility
- Aerospace
- Industrial Automation
5. Conclusion
Reference Standards:
Tinned copper wires, with their oxidation resistance and good solderability which provide a good solution for high-temperature cables, rubber cables, photovoltaic cables, and cables for humid and harsh environments. KMCABLE offers pure copper, tinned copper and silver plated copper cable solutions for different industries. Our cable industries including stage entertainment, renewable energy, marine industries and etc. Please feel free to contact us for further information.