ASTM B355-95(2003)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Nickel-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
Standard Specification for Nickel-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers nickel-coated, soft or annealed, round copper wire for use in electrical equipment.
1.2 Five classes of wire are covered as follows:
1.2.1 Class 2—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 2 % of the total weight of the coated wire.
1.2.2 Class 4—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 4 % of the total weight of the coated wire.
1.2.3 Class 7—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 7 % of the total weight of the coated wire.
1.2.4 Class 10—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 10 % of the total weight of the coated wire.
1.2.5 Class 27—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 27 % of the total weight of the coated wire.
Note 1—For information purposes, the thickness of coating in microinches provided by the percentages listed in is shown in .
1.3 The SI values for density and resistivity are to be regarded as the standard. For all other properties the inch-pound values are to be regarded as the standard and the SI units may be approximate.
1.4 This hazard statement applies only to Section 6, Test Methods, and to the Appendix 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.
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Designation: B 355 – 95 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Specification for
Nickel-Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 355; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope B 49 Specification for Copper Rod Drawing Stock for
Electrical Purposes
1.1 This specification covers nickel-coated, soft or an-
B 193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
nealed, round copper wire for use in electrical equipment.
Materials
1.2 Five classes of wire are covered as follows:
B 258 Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and
1.2.1 Class 2—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 2 % of
Cross-SectionalAreasofAWGSizesofSolidRoundWires
the total weight of the coated wire.
Used as Electrical Conductors
1.2.2 Class 4—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 4 % of
E 75 Test Methods for ChemicalAnalysis of Copper-Nickel
the total weight of the coated wire.
and Copper-Nickel-Zinc Alloys
1.2.3 Class 7—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 7 % of
2.3 NIST:
the total weight of the coated wire.
NBS Handbook 100—Copper Wire Tables
1.2.4 Class 10—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 10 %
of the total weight of the coated wire.
3. Ordering Information
1.2.5 Class 27—Wire whose nickel coating is at least 27 %
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
of the total weight of the coated wire.
the following information:
NOTE 1—For information purposes, the thickness of coating in micro-
3.1.1 Quantity of each size,
inches provided by the percentages listed in 1.2 is shown in Table 1.
3.1.2 Wire size, diameter in inches (see 5.3 and Table 1),
1.3 The SI values for density and resistivity are to be
3.1.3 Class of coating (Section 1 and Table 1),
regarded as the standard. For all other properties the inch-
3.1.4 Type of copper, if special (see 4.2),
poundvaluesaretoberegardedasthestandardandtheSIunits
3.1.5 Package size (Section 10),
may be approximate.
3.1.6 Special packaging marking, if required, and
1.4 This hazard statement applies only to Section 6, Test
3.1.7 Place of inspection (see 9.1).
Methods, and to the Appendix of this specification. This
4. Material
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user 4.1 The material shall be nickel-coated wire (Explanatory
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
Note 1), of such quality and purity that the finished product
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- shall have the properties and characteristics prescribed in this
tions prior to use.
specification.
NOTE 2—Specification B 49 defines copper suitable for use:
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Copper of special qualities, forms, or types, as may be
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect at the
agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser, and
time of reference form a part of these methods to the extent
which will conform to the requirements prescribed in this
referenced herein:
specification may also be used.
2.2 ASTM Standards:
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B01 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.01.
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of B01.04 on Conductors of Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.03.
Copper and Copper Alloys. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.
Current edition approved October 1, 2003. Published October 2003. Originally Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), U.S. Depart-
approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 1995 as B 355 – 95. ment of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
B 355 – 95 (2003)
TABLE 1 Tensile Requirements
Elongation in Thickness of Coating, µin.
Area at 20°C (68°F)
10 in., min,% (For Information Only)
Classes Class 2, Class 4, Class 7, Class 10, Class 27,
Diameter, Class
cmils in. 2, 4, 7, 2% 4% 7% 10 % 27 %
in. 27
9, and 10 Nickel Nickel Nickel Nickel Nickel
0.1285 16 510 0.01297 25 20 650 1300 2290 3300 9350
0.1144 13 090 0.01028 25 20 570 1160 2040 2940 8330
0.1019 10 380 0.008155 25 20 510 1040 1820 2620 7420
0.0907 8 230 0.00646 25 20 460 920 1620 2330 6610
0.0808 6 530 0.00513 25 20 410 820 1440 2070 5880
0.0720 5 180 0.00407 25 20 360 730 1280 1850 5240
0.0641 4 110 0.00323 25 20 320 650 1140 1650 4670
0.0571 3 260 0.00256 25 20 290 580 1020 1470 4160
0.0508 2 580 0.00203 25 20 260 510 910 1300 3700
0.0453 2 050 0.00161 25 20 230 460 810 1160 3300
0.0403 1 620 0.00128 25 20 200 410 720 1030 2930
0.0359 1 290 0.00101 25 20 180 360 640 920 2610
0.0320 1 020 0.000804 25 20 160 320 570 820 2330
0.0285 812 0.000638 25 20 140 290 510 730 2070
0.0253 640 0.000503 25 20 130 260 450 650 1850
0.0226 511 0.000401 25 20 110 230 400 580 1640
0.0201 404 0.000317 20 15 100 200 360 520 1460
0.0179 320 0.000252 20 15 90 180 320 460 1300
0.0159 253 0.000199 20 15 80 160 280 410 1160
0.0142 202 0.000158 20 15 71 140 250 360 1030
0.0126 159 0.000125 20 15 63 130 220 320 920
0.0113 128 0.000100 20 15 57 110 200 290 820
0.0100 100 0.0000785 20 15 50 100 180 260 730
0.0089 79.2 0.0000622 15 10 45 90 160 230 650
0.0080 64.0 0.0000503 15 10 40 81 140 200 580
0.0071 50.4 0.0000396 15 10 . 72 130 180 520
0.0063 39.7 0.0000312 15 10 . 64 110 160 460
0.0056 31.4 0.0000246 15 10 . 57 100 140 410
0.0050 25.0 0.0000196 15 10 . 51 89 130 360
0.0045 20.2 0.0000159 15 8 . . 80 120 320
0.0040 16.0 0.0000126 15 8 . . 71 100 290
0.0035 12.2 0.00000962 15 8 . . 62 91 260
0.0031 9.61 0.00000755 15 8 . . 55 81 230
5. General Requirements (Explanatory Note 2). The coated wire shall not vary from the
specified diameter by more than the following amounts:
5.1 Tensile Properties—The nickel-coated wire shall con-
Nominal Diameter, in. Permissible Variations in Diameter
form to the requirements for elongation as prescribed in Table
Under 0.0100 +0.0003 in. (0.3 mil)
1. For wire, the nominal diameter of which is more than 0.001
−0.0001 in. (0.1 mil)
in. (1 mil) greater than a size listed inTable 1 and less than that
0.0100 to 0.0508, incl +3 %, −1 %
Over 0.0508 +0.0015, −0.0005
of the next larger size, the requirements of the next larger size
shall apply.
5.4 Continuity of Coating—The coating shall be continu-
5.2 Resistivity—The electrical resistivity of the coated wire
ous. The continuity of the coating shall be determined on
at a temperature of 20°C shall not exceed the values prescribed
representative samples taken before stranding or insulating and
in Table 2.
shall be determined by the sodium polysulfide test described in
5.3 Dimensions and Permissible Variations—Thewiresizes
6.4. Wire whose coating weight corresponds to a thickness of
shall be expressed as the diameter of the wire in decimal
lessthan50µin.(0.00005in.)(0.0013mm)shallnotbesubject
fractions of an inch to the nearest 0.1 mil (0.0001 in.)
to this test (Explanatory Note 3).
5.5 Adherence of Coating—The nickel coating shall be
firmly adherent to the surface of the copper. The adherence of
TABLE 2 Electrical Resistivity Requirements
coating on the wire shall be determined on representative
Resistivity at 20°C,
Class, % Nickel
2 samples. The adherence of coating shall be determined by the
V· lb/mil
wrapping and immersion test in accordance with 6.5.
2 911.67
4 931.06 5.6 Weight of Coating—The weight of coating expressed as
7 961.76
a percentage of the total weight of the wire shall be not less
10 994.55
than 2 % for Class 2; 4 % for Class 4; 7 % for Class 7; 10 %
27 1232.7
for Class 10; and 27 % for Class 27. For ease of comparison,
B 355 – 95 (2003)
the thickness of coating for these classes has been included in presence in the solution of an excess of sulfur after the solution
Table 1 (Explanatory Note 3). has been allowed to stand for at least 24 h. The test solution
5.7 Joints—Necessary joints in the wire and rods prior to shallbemadebydilutingaportionoftheconcentratedsolution
final coating and drawing shall be made in accordance with the withdistilledwatertoaspecificgravityof1.142at15.6°C.The
best commercial practice. There shall be no uncoated joints in sodium polysulfide test solution should have sufficient strength
the final product. to thoroughly blacken a piece of clean uncoated copper wire in
5.8 Finish—The coating shall consist of a smooth, continu- 5 s.Aportion of the test solution used for testing samples shall
ouslayer,firmlyadherenttothesurfaceofthecopper.Thewire not be considered to be exhausted until it fails to blacken a
shall be bright and free from all imperfections not consistent pieceofcleancopperasdescribedabove(ExplanatoryNote7).
with the best commercial practice.
6.4.4 Procedure—Immerse a length of at least 4 ⁄2 in. (114
mm) from each of the clean specimens for 30 s in the sodium
6. Test Methods
polysulfide solution (see 6.4.3) maintained at a temperature
6.1 Elongation—The elongation of wire whose nominal
between 15.6 and 21°C. After the immersion, immediately
diameter is larger than 0.0808 in. (2.052 mm) shall be
wash the specimens in clean water and wipe dry with a clean,
determined as the permanent increase in length at fracture,
soft cloth or tissue.After immersion and washing, examine the
expressed as a percentage of the original length, due to the
specimens to ascertain if copper exposed through openings in
breaking of the wire in tension, measured between gage marks
the nickel coating has been blackened by action of the sodium
placed originally 10 in. (254 mm) apart on the test specimen
polysulfide.Examinethespecimenwiththenormaleyeagainst
(Explanatory Note 4). The elongation of wire whose nominal
a white background. Consider the specimens to have failed if,
diameter is 0.0808 in. (2.052 mm) and under may be deter-
by such blackening, exposed copper is revealed. No attention
mined as just described or by measurements made between the
shall be paid to blackening within 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) of the cut
jaws of the testing machine. Where the latter method is used,
end.
the zero length shall be the distance between the jaws at the
6.5 Adherence of Coating:
start of the tension test and be as near 10 in. (254 mm) as
6.5.1 Specimens—Testspecimensshallbeapproximately12
practicable; the final length shall be the distance between the
in. (305 mm) in length and shall be tagged or marked to
jaws at the time of rupture. The fracture shall be between gage
correspondwiththecoil,spool,orreelfromwhichtheyarecut.
marks in the case of specimens so marked, or between the jaws
The specimens shall be thoroughly cleaned, if required, by
of the testing machine and not closer than 1 in. (25.4 mm) to
immersion in a suitable organic solvent such as benzene, ether,
either gage mark or either jaw.
or trichloroethylene for at least 3 min, then removed and dried
6.2 Resistivity—The electrical resistivity of the material
(Precaution:ExplanatoryNote6).Thespecimensthuscleaned
shall be determined in accordance with Test Method B 193
shall be kept wrapped in a clean, dry cloth until tested. That
(Explanatory Note 5).
part of the specimen to be immersed in the test solution shall
6.3 Dimensional Measurements—Dimensional measure-
not be handled. Care shall be taken to avoid abrasion of the
ments shall be made with a micrometer caliper equipped with
surface to be subjected to test.Wire sizes 0.005 in. (0.127 mm)
a vernier graduated in 0.0001 in. Each coil shall be gaged at
and smaller may be cleaned after wrapping.
three places, one near each end and one near the middle. From
6.5.2 Procedure:
each spool approximately 12 ft (3.7 m) shall be unreeled and
6.5.2.1 Wrapping—Slowly wrap the test specimen in a
the wire gaged in six places between the second and twelfth
suitable manner in an open helix around a wire of its own
foot from the end. The average of the measurements obtained
diameter. Take care not to stretch the specimen during the
shall meet the requirements of 5.3.
wrapping operation. The spacing of the consecutive turns shall
6.4 Continuity of Coating:
be approximately equal to the diameter of the wire. For wire
6.4.1 Length of Specimens—Test specimens shall each have
sizes 0.021 in. (0.533 mm) and smaller, use approximately six
a length of about 6 in. (152 mm). They shall be tagged or
helical turns for the test. For wire larger than 0.021 in. (0.533
marked to correspond with the coil, spool, or reel from which
mm) use approximately three turns.
they were cut.
6.5.2.2 Immersion Test—Remove the helically wrapped
6.4.2 Treatment of Specimens—The specimens shall be
portion of the test specimen from the mandrel and completely
thoroughly cleaned by immersion in a suitable organic solvent
immerse in the sodium polysulfide solution (see 6.4.3) for 30 s
such as benzene, ether, or trichloroethylene for at least 3 min,
at the temperature prescribed in 6.4.4. On removal from the
then removed and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth or tissue
sodiumpolysulfidesolution,rinsethespecimenimmediatelyin
(Precaution:ExplanatoryNote6).Thespecimensthuscleaned
clean water and remove the excess by shaking.
shallbekeptwrappedinaclean,dryclothortissueuntiltested.
6.5.2.3 Examination of Specimens—Examine the outer sur-
That part of the specimen to be immersed in the test solution
face of the helically wrapped portion of the specimen under
shall not be handled. Care shall be taken to avoid abrasion by
magnification not to exceed 73 diameter. Any cracking or
the cut ends.
flaking of the coating in this area shown by blackening of the
6.4.3 Special Solution (sp gr 1.142)—A concentrated solu-
copper area shall be cause for rejection. A grayish appearance
tion shall be made by dissolving sodium sulfide crystals (cp) in
of the coating after immersion shall not constitute failure.
distilled water until the solution is saturated at about 21°C, and
adding sufficient flowers of sulfur (in excess of 250 g/L of 6.6 Weight of Coating—Conformancetotheweightrequire-
solution) to provide complete saturation, as shown by the ment may be determined in accordance withTest MethodA. In
B 355 – 95 (2003)
case of disagreement, Test Method B shall be used and the of 5.5. Failure of more than two specimens shall constitute
result obtained shall be final. Test Methods A and B are given failure to
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