ASTM B470-02(2017)

Standard Specification for Bonded Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wires for Electronic Equipment

ABSTRACT
This specification covers stranded uninsulated bare, tin, or tin-lead alloy coated copper conductors in which wires in the strand are metallically bonded together by the application of heat additional tin, or tin-lead alloy for use in hookup wire for electronic equipment. Conductor constructions shall conform to standard ASTM requirements except that, in addition, the following bondings may be specified: Type I, Type II, and Type III. The conductors shall consist of tinned copper and bare copper, conforming to product description, quality, and specification requirements. The material shall undergo flex, fraying, mandrel, and resistance tests. The material shall meet the minimum flex life requirements and shall conform to the required conditions for flex, fraying, and madrel tests.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers stranded uninsulated bare, tin, or tin-lead alloy coated copper conductors in which wires in the strand are metallically bonded together by the application of heat or additional tin, or tin-lead alloy for use in hookup wire for electronic equipment.  
1.2 The SI values for density and resistivity are to be regarded as standard. For all other properties, the inch-pound values are to be regarded as the standard and the SI units may be approximate.  
1.3 The hazard caveat pertains only to Section 6 of this specification. 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.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2017
• ICS: 29.060.10 - Wires
• Technical Committee: B01 - Electrical Conductors
• Drafting Committee: B01.04 - Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B470-02(2012) - Standard Specification for Bonded Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wires for Electronic Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM B3-13(2024) - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM B3-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM B3-13 - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM B3-12 - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM B286-07(2012) - Standard Specification for Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wire for Electronic Equipment
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2012
• Refers: ASTM B286-07 - Standard Specification for Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wire for Electronic Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Refers: ASTM B3-01(2007) - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM B286-02 - Standard Specification for Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wire for Electronic Equipment
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2002
• Refers: ASTM B3-01 - Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001

Overview

ASTM B470-02(2017): Standard Specification for Bonded Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wires for Electronic Equipment provides comprehensive requirements for stranded uninsulated copper conductors that are metallically bonded for use in hookup wire applications within electronic devices. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures a high level of quality, performance, and reliability for copper conductors used in demanding electronic equipment environments.

The specification covers bare, tin-coated, and tin-lead alloy-coated copper conductors. These conductors are designed to deliver consistent electrical properties and robust mechanical performance through specific bonding methods. The standard outlines construction types, testing criteria, packaging, and inspection requirements to support broad adoption across the electronics industry.

Key Topics

• Types of Conductor Bonding:

  • Type I: Bare copper, stranded, with light bonding
  • Type II: Tin or tin-lead alloy coated copper, stranded, with light bonding
  • Type III: Tin or tin-lead alloy coated copper, stranded, with heavy bonding

• Material and Construction:

  • Stranded, uninsulated conductors made from bare or tinned copper
  • Compliance with other ASTM requirements for copper wire and conductor specifications

• Testing Requirements:

  • Flex life, fraying, mandrel, and resistance tests to ensure mechanical durability and electrical consistency
  • All conductors must meet minimum standards for flex cycles and must not show visible separation of strands after testing

• Quality Assurance:

  • All products must undergo inspection and sampling at the place of manufacture
  • Certification of compliance to standard requirements may be requested by purchasers

• Packaging and Marking:

  • Clear labeling of package contents, including conductor type, size, and manufacturer information
  • Conductors must be packaged to prevent damage during shipping and handling

Applications

Bonded copper conductors covered by ASTM B470-02(2017) are essential components in hookup wires for electronic equipment. Their primary applications include:

• Internal Wiring for Electronic Devices:
  Used extensively for interconnections within electronic assemblies, circuit boards, and modules.

• Instrumentation and Control Equipment:
  Offers reliable conductivity and mechanical integrity for precise instrumentation wiring.

• Consumer Electronics:
  Supports the dependable function of appliances, computers, entertainment systems, and portable electronics.

• Industrial and Laboratory Equipment:
  Ensures robust performance in devices exposed to continuous movement, vibration, or thermal cycling.

With emphasis on mechanical bond strength and resistance to strand separation, these conductors provide enhanced flexibility, durability, and ease of handling, which are crucial for modern electronic manufacturing and assembly operations.

Related Standards

Users referencing ASTM B470-02(2017) may also benefit from familiarity with the following ASTM standards for copper conductors and electronic wire:

• ASTM B3: Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
• ASTM B286: Specification for Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wire for Electronic Equipment

These related standards provide additional details on raw material requirements and construction characteristics vital for ensuring compatibility and performance within electronic wiring systems.

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Keywords: bonded copper conductors, hookup wire, electronic equipment, tin-coated copper conductor, tin-lead alloy copper, ASTM copper conductor standards, stranded uninsulated conductor, electronic wiring solutions

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:B470 −02 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Specification for
Bonded Copper Conductors for Use in Hookup Wires for
Electronic Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B470; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Ordering Information
1.1 This specification covers stranded uninsulated bare, tin, 3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
ortin-leadalloycoatedcopperconductorsinwhichwiresinthe the following information:
strand are metallically bonded together by the application of 3.1.1 Quantity of each size, material, construction, and type
heat or additional tin, or tin-lead alloy for use in hookup wire (see 4.1),
for electronic equipment. 3.1.2 Package size (see 8.1),
3.1.3 Special package marking if required (Section 8), and
1.2 The SI values for density and resistivity are to be
3.1.4 Place of inspection (Section 7).
regarded as standard. For all other properties, the inch-pound
values are to be regarded as the standard and the SI units may
4. Conductor Constructions
be approximate.
4.1 Conductor constructions shall conform to the applicable
1.3 The hazard caveat pertains only to Section 6 of this
constructions of Specification B286, except that in addition the
specification. This standard does not purport to address all of
following bondings may be specified:
the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1.1 Type I—Bare copper, stranded, light bonding,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.2 Type II—Tin or tin-lead alloy coated copper, stranded,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
light bonding, or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1.3 TypeIII—Tinortin-leadalloycoatedcopper,stranded,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
heavy bonding.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. General Requirements
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 The conductors shall consist of tinned copper conform-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ing to the product description, quality and specification re-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
quirements of Specification B286 and bare copper conforming
to the product description, quality and specification require-
2. Referenced Documents
ments of Specification B3.
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect at the
5.2 Flex Life—The average of six flex tests specified in 6.1
time of reference form a part of this specification to the extent
shall meet the minimum requirements of Table 1for the
referenced herein:
applicable type and construction.
2.2 ASTM Standards:
5.3 Fraying, Types I and II—After performing the test in
B3 Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
6.2,noseparationsofstrandsshallbevisibletotheunaidedeye
B286 Specification for Copper Conductors for Use in
(normal spectacles excepted), from the cut end to the point of
Hookup Wire for Electronic Equipment
bend nearest to that cut end.
5.4 Mandrel Test, Type III Only (see Explanatory Note
1)—After performing the test specified in 6.3 no separation of
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on
strands shall be visible to the unaided eye (normal spectacles
Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys.
excepted).
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as B470 – 02 (2012).
6. Test Methods
DOI: 10.1520/B0470-02R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1 Flex Life—The testing equipment shall be designed and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
set up for operation so that steel mandrels shall be horizontal
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. and so positioned that any vertical movement of the specimen
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B470−02 (2017)
TABLE 1 Flex Life Requirements, Minimum Cycles
6.3 MandrelTest—Theconductorshallbewrappedsixclose
Un- turns over a mandrel as specified in Table 3 and slipped off the
Type I
bonded Type III
end of the mandrel for examination (Explanatory Note 3).
and II
Construction (see (Heavy
(Light
Explanatory Bonding)
6.4 Resistance—The conductors after bonding shall meet
Bonding)
Note 5)
the requirements of Specification B286.
7 wire 40 30 20
10 wire 55 40 25
7. Inspection
16 wire 85 60 40
19 or more wires 100 70 50
7.1 General—All test and inspections shall be made at the
place of manufacture unless otherwise agreed upon between
the manufacturer and the purchaser at the time of the purchase.
TABLE 2 Conditions for Flex Test
The manufacturer shall afford the inspector representing the
Nominal
purchaser all reasonable facilities to satisfy him that the
Mandrel
Mandrel
material is being furnished in accordance with this specifica-
Diameter
Size,
Spacing
Mass, g
(Explanatory
tion (Explanatory Note 4).
AWG
Note 4)
7.1.1 Unless otherwise agreed by the manufacturer and the
in. mm in. mm
purchaser, conformance of the wire to the various requirements
16 0.2344 5.954 0.065 1.65 1511
listed in Section 5 shall be determined on samples taken from
18 0.1875 4.762 0.056 1.42 951
each lot of wire presented for acceptance.
20 0.1562 3.967 0.046 1.17 598
22 0.1250 3.175 0.037 0.94 376
7.1.2 The manufacturer shall, if requested prior to
24 0.0937 2.380 0.031 0.79 236
inspection, certify that all wire in the lot made under such
26 0.0625 1.588 0.026 0.66 149
conditions that the product as a whole conforms to the
requirements of this specification as determined by regularly
made and recorded tests.
is minimized. The conductor as clamped for test shall pass
7.2 Terms Used for Inspection:
through the vertical center line between the mandrels.
7.2.1 Lot—Alot is any amount of wire of one class and size
6.1.1 The conductor shall be bent repeatedly in alternating
presented for acceptance at one time, such amount, however,
directions in an arc of 60° on both sides of the v
...