Tin plating is often employed in electrical power systems to ensure proper current transfer and extend the lifespan of copper bus bars, while also increasing lubricity, solderability and corrosion resistance.

Long after being applied, tin can develop sharp metal hairs known as Tin Whiskers that can cause irreparable damage and disrupt electronic circuits.

Fluoboric Acid

Fluoboric acid (H2BO) is a strong acid with high metal reactivity, produced as a byproduct from manufacturing of boron trifluoride and used extensively in organic synthesis, polymerizations and metal plating processes. Furthermore, it acts as a cleaning agent and produces other borate salts for use in plating processes as an electrolyte electrolyte plating processes as an electrolyte and cleaning agent respectively. Furthermore, this chemical can attack skin, eyes and mucous membranes while it does not mix well with strong alkalis or oxidizing agents and comes packaged in 55 gallon drums for easy storage and use.

For effective removal of tin plating from copper surfaces, a stripping solution is required. You can make one yourself using 6-8 oz/gal strip aid and 10-12 oz/gal caustic soda [affil link], creating an economical mixture which safely strips away tin plating without dissolving alloy materials; therefore multiple cycles can be utilized safely to strip tin off copper surfaces.

One of the biggest obstacles in stripping tin from copper and other materials lies in an insoluble tin-lead alloy film that forms after it oxidizes, blocking removal of its layer and preventing tinning. To address this issue, an inhibitor for this process was added into stripping reagents used to strip away tin.

This compound helps prevent tin-lead alloys from oxidizing in the presence of copper ions and can be applied directly onto copper surfaces to protect it from corrosion. Additionally, it’s used as an effective way of improving efficiency for abrasives and other lubricants – and forms part of several types of etchants used for fabricating semiconductors.

Copper Bus Bars are frequently coated with tin plating to enhance corrosion protection and solderability, and reduce costs in various electrical and electronic applications. Sharretts Plating’s cost-effective tin plating service caters to numerous industries including electronics, automotive and power generation; we can apply either bright or matte tin finishes depending on desired finish and corrosion resistance requirements – contact us now for a quote on your next project.

Sulfuric Acid

Clear to brownish dense oily liquid containing H 2 SO 4, manufactured globally and used in numerous industrial processes. Its primary production is in the manufacturing of phosphate fertilizers; other applications include copper leaching, inorganic pigment production, paper making and petroleum refining. H 2 SO 4 can oxidize metals such as copper into tin and lead by attacking its strong affinity with water; even dilute solutions of H 2 SO4 will cause paper to turn black when left exposed for extended periods. Due to its powerful irritant qualities it should only be stored in nonreactive containers marked as Corrosive; although its standard laboratory “dilution” solution will only cause skin irritant effects when kept with nonreactive materials and labeled “Corrosive.”

Sulfuric acid applied to metal surfaces will swell and loosen any layers of oxides underlying them, revealing fresh tin to be quickly bound with it and deposited as a coating of tin plating. After completion of this process, passivation may be required in order to protect it against corrosion; although heat treatment usually isn’t needed.

Prior to immersing a metal object into an electrolytic bath for electroplating with tin plating, thorough preparation must take place. First, its substrate must be thoroughly cleaned of grease or other surface contamination before being placed in an appropriately equipped tank that houses electrolytic solution for electrodeposition of tin plating.

After applying tin to copper, an object serves as the cathode in an electrical circuit while plating solution acts as an anode. A generator is then used to generate vibrations which cause objects within the tank to come in contact and create an electrochemical current, depositing more tin on copper than before.

Concentrated sulfuric acid can be hazardous if it comes into contact with the skin, eyes or is swallowed, as it corrodes tissue and burns it away. Long-term exposure may result in dry, scaly skin (dermatitis), irritation to or damage of respiratory systems and vomiting stomach cramps and diarrhea due to ingestion. Furthermore, it’s combustible in air, producing poisonous gases that could linger toxic fumes that are released upon ignition – this should all be done with extreme care!

Caustic Soda

Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) is an inorganic strong base used for numerous applications. Commonly referred to by its other name lye, caustic soda is one of the most essential chemicals for everyday life – from dish soaps and oven cleaners to drain openers containing it! Caustic soda can also be found in paper production and wood pulp processing processes and its preservative properties can help inhibit mould and bacteria growth.

Sodium hydroxide is used as a key component in the manufacturing of chlorine and sodium hypochlorite used to disinfect water and destroy microorganisms, and also in manufacturing pharmaceutical and medicinal products like anticholesterol drugs and painkillers as well as creating chemical precursors. Caustic soda can also be used as a degreaser in food processing to peel thin-skinned fruits such as tomatoes while cleaning equipment.

Typically used in industrial settings to clean storage tanks and process equipment, acid wash can dissolve grease, proteins, oil and other compounds from metal surfaces. As acid wash can react with acids, oxidizers and cyanides causing incompatibilities when handling it with care.

Fluoboric acid-based stripping chemicals such as fluoric acid may only work once when stripping tin off copper and its alloys, as it will also dissolve them. Other stripping solutions, however, such as Fluoboric Acid can be used more than once to strip away tin from both metals.

An effective method for extracting tin from copper-tin alloys involves using strong acid and reducing agents like thiourea to turn over tin-copper couples into pure copper, leaving behind only pure tin. A highly experienced Canadian chemist demonstrated this technique on YouTube in a video posted online.

Tinning requires extremely high temperatures and should only be undertaken under controlled environments with appropriate safety precautions in place, including respirators and gloves for protection. Only trained professionals should attempt this type of removal; using a chemical barrel allows chemicals to be added slowly in a more managed way.

Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric Acid is an extremely corrosive chemical commonly employed for manufacturing chloride salts, pickling metal products, electroplating processes, etching copper and other metals and neutralizing base solutions as a laboratory reagent. Furthermore, household cleaners may contain Hydrochloric Acid to dissolve mineral scale from boilers while it forms part of aqua regia solution used to dissolve noble metals.

Hydrogen chloride has an unpleasant odor and appears colorless when pure, producing acid in our digestive tracts and helping acidify food for digestion. You can find hydrogen chloride in table salt as well as being used to bleach textiles and leather; additionally it’s used in producing chlorine gas as well as dichloromethane precursor for PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), bisphenol A and other organic compounds.

When plating with tin or tin-lead alloy on copper substrates, its atoms cause lattice defects on its surface and form an intermetallic layer between tin and copper that differs in composition from that of its plating; this leads to formation of an underconductive intermetallic layer between them that cannot be removed by standard oxidizing methods.

To dissolve this layer, an acid with a higher pH must be used to dissolve it – such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid or strong bases such as nitric or phosphoric. However, these acids aren’t particularly kind to the environment or safe to use commercially as they can damage substrates and aren’t recommended around other chemicals or metals – toxic if inhaled and can even burn the skin! It is essential that when working with hydrochloric acid it always be done under good ventilation systems with adequate safety precautions – inhaling or avoidance at all costs and all contact between skin/eyes should always be avoided!