ASTM B972-10

Standard Specification for Nickel-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire Intended for use in Electronic Application

ABSTRACT
This specification covers nickel-coated copper braid and ribbon flat wire intended for electronic application. Two classes of nickel-coated braid and ribbon flat copper wire are covered: Class A (annealed temper) and Class H (hard-drawn). The material shall be nickel-coated flat wire of such quality and purity that the finished product shall meet the properties and characteristics prescribed in this specification. The specification covers tensile properties, electrical resistivity requirements, permissible variations in thickness, and permissible variations in width.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers nickel-coated copper braid and ribbon flat wire intended for electronic application (Explanatory Note 1).
1.2 Two classes of nickel-coated braid and ribbon flat copper wire are covered as follows:
1.2.1 Class A– Annealed temper.
1.2.2 Class H– Hard-drawn.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3.1 Exceptions—The SI values for density, resistivity, and volume are to be regarded as standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2010
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.04 - Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM B972-10(2014) - Standard Specification for Nickel-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire Intended for use in Electronic Application
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:B972 −10
StandardSpecification for
Nickel-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire Intended
for use in Electronic Application
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B972; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 Other Standards:
NBS Handbook 100Copper Wire Tables
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversnickel-coatedcopperbraidand
ribbon flat wire intended for electronic application (Explana-
3. Ordering Information
tory Note 1).
3.1 Ordersformaterialunderthisspecificationshallinclude
1.2 Two classes of nickel-coated braid and ribbon flat
the following information:
copper wire are covered as follows: 3.1.1 Quantity of each size,
1.2.1 Class A—Annealed temper. 3.1.2 Wire size-thickness and width in inches (see 5.4),
3.1.3 Class of wire (see 1.2),
1.2.2 Class H—Hard-drawn.
3.1.4 Type of copper, if special (see 4.2),
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
3.1.5 Package size (see 10.1),
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1.6 Special packaging marking, if required, and
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1.7 Place of inspection (see 7.1).
and are not considered standard.
4. Material
1.3.1 Exceptions—The SI values for density, resistivity, and
volume are to be regarded as standard.
4.1 The material shall be nickel-coated flat wire (Explana-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the toryNote1)ofsuchqualityandpuritythatthefinishedproduct
shall meet the properties and characteristics prescribed in this
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- specification.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 Copper-Base Metal—The base metal shall be copper of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
such quality and purity that the finished product shall have
properties and characteristics prescribed in this specification.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—Specifications B1, B3,or B49 defines copper suitable for use.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. General Requirements (See Section 8)
B1Specification for Hard-Drawn Copper Wire
5.1 Temper—The nickel-coated flat wire conductor shall be
B3Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
provided in either hard-drawn condition (Class H) or annealed
B49Specification for Copper Rod Drawing Stock for Elec-
condition (class A) as agreed upon between the manufacturer
trical Purposes
and purchaser.
B193Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
5.2 Tensile and Elongation (Explanatory Note 2):
Materials
5.2.1 Class A—The nickel-coated copper flat wire in the
B258 Specification for Nominal Diameters and Cross-
annealed condition shall conform to the elongation require-
SectionalAreasofAWGSizesofSolidRoundWiresUsed
ments prescribed in Table 1. See Explanatory Note 3 for
as Electrical Conductors
equivalent round diameter calculations based on given thick-
nessandwidthdimensionsfortheflatwire.Forflatwirewhose
nominal equivalent round diameter is more than 0.001 in.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
(0.025 mm) greater than a size listed in Table 1, but less than
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on
that of the next larger size, the requirements of the next larger
Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys.
Current edition approved April 1, 2010. Published May 2010. DOI: 10.1520/
size shall apply. No requirements for tensile strength are
B0972-10.
specified.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
the ASTM website. Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, http://www.ntis.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B972−10
A
TABLE 1 Tensile Properties TABLE 2 Electrical Resistivity Requirements
Equivalent Area at 20°C Elongation
Class A Thickness Range, Resistivity at 20°C
Round cmils in. in 10 in.,
Inch (mm) Ω·lb/mile
Diameter, min, %
0.0008 to 0.0010 (0.020 to 0.025), 1029.7
in.
incl
0.0011 to 0.0013 (0.028 to 0.033), 994.55
0.0641 4 110 0.00323 25
incl
0.0571 3 260 0.00256 25
0.0014 to 0.0018 (0.037 to 0.046), 972.45
0.0508 2 580 0.00203 25
incl
0.0453 2 050 0.00161 25
0.0019 to 0.0028 (0.048 to 0.071), 951.31
0.0403 1 620 0.00128 25
incl
0.0359 1 290 0.00101 25
0.0029 to 0.0039 (0.074 to 0.099), 931.07
0.0320 1 020 0.000804 25
incl
0.0285 812 0.000638 25
0.0040 to 0.0065 (0.102 to 0.165), 921.27
0.0253 640 0.000503 25
incl
0.0226 511 0.000401 25
0.0065 to 0.0100 (0.165 to 0.254), 911.67
0.0201 404 0.00317 20
incl
0.0179 320 0.000252 20
Class H Thickness Range, Resistivity at 20°C
0.0159 253 0.000199 20
Inch (mm) Ω·lb/mile
0.0142 202 0.000158 20
0.0008 to 0.0010 (0.020 to 0.025), 1067.3
0.0126 159 0.000125 20
incl
0.0113 128 0.000100 20
0.0011 to 0.0013 (0.028 to 0.033), 1029.7
0.0100 100 0.0000785 20
incl
0.0089 79.2 0.0000622 15
0.0014 to 0.0018 (0.037 to 0.046), 1006.0
0.0080 64.0 0.0000503 15
incl
0.0071 50.4 0.0000396 15 0.0019 to 0.0028 (0.048 to 0.071), 983.38
0.0063 39.7 0.0000312 15
incl
0.0056 31.4 0.0000246 15 0.0029 to 0.0039 (0.074 to 0.099), 961.76
0.0050 25.0 0.0000196 15
incl
0.0045 20.2 0.0000159 15 0.0040 to 0.0065 (0.102 to 0.165), 951.31
0.0040 16.0 0.0000126 15
incl
0.0065 to 0.0100 (0.165 to 0.254), 941.08
A
See Explanatory Note 3 for equivalent round calculation.
incl
5.2.2 Class H—The nickel-coated copper flat wire in the
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Thickness
harddrawnconditionshallconformtoelongationrequirements
Nominal Thickness Range, Tolerance,
of1%minimumto5%maximum.Thetensilestrengthshallbe
Inch (mm) Inch (mm)
55 000 psi (379 MPa) minimum.
0.0010 to 0.0014 (0.025 to 0.036) +/- 0.0002 (0.005)
0.0015 to 0.0019 (0.038 to 0.048) +/- 0.0003 (0.008)
5.3 Resistivity (Explanatory Note 4)—The electrical resis-
0.0020 to 0.0049 (0.051 to 0.124) +/- 0.0004 (0.010)
tivity of the coated wire at a temperature of 20°C shall not
0.0050 to 0.0100 (0.127 to 0.254) +/- 0.0005 (0.013)
exceed the values prescribed in Table 2.
5.4 Dimensions and Permissible Variations—The flat wire
TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Width
sizes shall be expressed as the thickness and width of the wire
Nominal Width Range, Tolerance,
indecimalfractionsofaninchtothenearest0.0001in.(0.0025
Inch (mm) Inch (mm)
mm). The nickel-coated flat wire shall not vary from the
0.0100 to 0.0499 (0.254 to 1.27) +/- 0.0013 (0.033)
specified thickness and width by more than the amounts 0.0500 to 0.0699 (1.27 to 1.78) +/- 0.0015 (0.038)
0.0700 to 0.0999 (1.78 to 2.54) +/- 0.0020 (0.051)
specified in Table 3 and Table 4, respectively.
0.1000 to 0.1249 (2.54 to 3.17) +/- 0.0030 (0.076)
0.1250 to 0.1500 (3.18 to 3.81) +/- 0.0040 (0.102)
5.5 Continuity of Coating—The nickel coating shall be
continuous. The continuity of coating on the flat wire shall be
determined on representative samples taken before braiding
applications or insulating. The continuity of coating shall be
determinedbythehydrochloricacid-sodiumpolysulfidetestin
6. Test Methods
accordance with 6.4. Wire whose coating weight corresponds
6.1 Tensile Strength and Elongation (Explanatory Note 6):
toathicknesslessthan50µin.(0.00005in.)(0.0013mm)shall
6.1.1 The tensile strength, expressed in pounds per square
not be subject to this test (Explanatory Note 5). The thickness
inch, shall be obtained by dividing the maximum load carried
ofcoatingshallbedeterminedinaccordancewithTestMethod
by the specimen during the tension test by the original
A as prescribed in Appendix X1.
cross-sectional area of the specimen. Tensile strength and
5.6 Joints—Necessary joints in the wire and rods prior to
elongation may be determined simultaneously on the same
finalcoatinganddrawingshallbemadeinaccordancewiththe
specimen.
best commercial practice. There shall be no uncoated joints in
6.1.2 The elongation of the flat wire may be determined by
the final product.
measurements made between the jaws of the tensile testing
5.7 Finish—The coating shall consist of a smooth continu- machine. The zero length shall be the distance between the
ouslayer,firmlyadherenttothesurfaceofthecopper.Thewire jaws at the start of the tension test and be as near 10 in. (254
shall be free of all imperfections not consistent with the best mm) as practicable. The final length shall be the distance
commercial practice. between the jaws at the time of rupture. The fracture shall be
B972−10
between the jaws of the testing machine and not closer than 1 6.5 Finish—Surface-finishinspectionshallbemadewiththe
in. (25.4 mm) to the jaw. unaided eye (normal spectacles excepted).
6.2 Resistivity (Explanatory Note 4)—The electrical resis-
7. Inspection
tivity of the material shall be determined in accordance with
TestMethodB193.Thepurchasermayacceptcertificationthat
7.1 General (Explanatory Note 9)—Unless otherwise speci-
the wire was drawn from rod stock meeting the international fied in the contract or purchaser order, the manufacturer shall
standard for annealed copper instead of resistivity tests on the
be responsible for the performance of all inspection and test
finished wire. requirements specified.
7.1.1 All inspections and tests shall be made at the place of
6.3 Dimensional Measurements—Dimensional measure-
manufacture unless otherwise especially agreed upon between
mentsforwidthandthicknessshallbemadewithamicrometer
the manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of purchase.
caliperequippedwithaverniergraduatedin0.0001in.(0.0025
7.1.2 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector represent-
mm). Measurements shall be made on at least three places on
ing the purchaser all reasonable manufacturer’s facilities to
each unit selected for this test. Any measurement taken
satisfy him that the material is being furnished in accordance
exceeding the dimensions and permissible variation require-
with this specification.
ments in 5.4 shall constitute failure to meet the dimensional
conformance criterion. 7.1.3 Unless otherwise agreed upon between the purchaser
and the manufacturer, conformance of the wire to the various
6.4 Continuity of Coating:
requirementslistedinSection5shallbedeterminedonsamples
6.4.1 Length of Specimens—Test specimens shall each have
taken from each lot of wire presented for acceptance.
a length of about 6 in. (152 mm). They shall be tagged or
7.1.4 The manufacturer shall, if requested prior to
marked to correspond with the coil, spool, or reel from which
inspection, certify that all wire in the lot was made under such
they were cut.
conditions that the product as a whole conforms to the
6.4.2 Treatment of Specimens—The specimens shall be
requirements of this specification as determined by regularly
thoroughly cleaned by immersion in a suitable organic solvent
made and recorded tests.
for at least 3 min, then removed and wiped dry with a clean,
7.2 Definitions Applicable to Inspection:
soft cloth or tissue (Caution: Explanatory Note 7). The
specimens thus cleaned shall be kept wrapped in a clean, dry 7.2.1 lot—any amount of wire of one type and size pre-
cloth or tissue until tested. That part of the specimen to be sented for acceptance at one time.
immersed in the test solution shall not be handled. Care shall
7.2.2 sample—a quantity of production units (coils, reels,
be taken to avoid abrasion by the cut ends.
andsoforth)selectedatrandomfromthelotforthepurposeof
6.4.3 Special Solution (sp gr 1.142)—A concentrated solu- determining conformance of the lot to the requirements of this
tionshallbemadebydissolvingsodiumsulfidecrystals(cp)in specification.
distilledwateruntilthesolutionissaturatedatabout21°C,and
7.2.3 specimen—a length of wire removed for test purposes
adding sufficient flowers of sulfur (in excess of 250 g/L of
from any individual production unit of the sample.
solution) to provide complete saturation, as shown by the
7.3 Sample Size (Explanatory Note 9)—The number of
presenceinthesolutionofanexcessofsulfurafterthesolution
production units in a sample shall be as follows:
has been allowed to stand for at least 24 h. The test solution
7.3.1 A full (100% inspection) will be completed at every
shallbemadebydilutingaportionoftheconcentratedsolution
set-up prior to running the order.
with distilled water to a specific gravity of 1.135 to 1.145 at
7.3.2 Forelongation,resistivity,dimensionalmeasurements,
ambient temperature of 15.6 °C. The sodium polysulfide test
continuity of coating, and thickness of coating determinations,
solution should have sufficient strength to thoroughly blacken
thesampleshallconsistofsequentialproductionunitsfromthe
a piece of clean uncoated copper wire in 5 s. A portion of the
lot.
testsolutionusedfortestingsamplesshallnotbeconsideredto
7.3.3 For surface-finish inspection and for packaging in-
be exhausted until it fails to blacken a piece of clean copper as
described above (Explanatory Note 8). spection(whenspecifiedbythepurchaseratthetimeofplacing
the order) the sample shall consist of sequential production
6.4.4 Procedure—Immerse a length of at least 4.5 in. (114
units from the lot.
mm) from each of the clean specimens for 30 s in the sodium
polysulfide solution (see 6.4.3) maintained at a temperature
8. Conformance Criteria (Explanatory Note 9)
between 15.6 and 21°C. After the immersion, immediately
wash the specimens in clean water and wipe dry with a clean, 8.1 Any lot of wire, the samples of which comply with the
soft cloth or tissue.After immersion and washing, examine the conformance criteria of Section 5, shall be considered as
specimens to ascertain if copper exposed through openings in complying with the requirements of this standard. Individual
the nickel coating has been blackened by action of the sodium production units that fail to meet one or more of the require-
polysulfide.Examinethespecimenwiththenormaleyeagainst ments shall be rejected. If a failure of an individual production
a white background. Consider the specimens to have failed if, unit occurs, material which was made between the non-
by such blackening, exposed copper is revealed. No attention conforming unit and the last production unit which passed the
shall be paid to blackening within 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) of the cut conformancecriteriamustbeinspectedforthenon-conforming
end. characteri
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