ASTM B678-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products
Standard Test Method for Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In order that a sound solder joint be formed simply and quickly in a production operation, the molten solder must readily wet and spread over the surfaces of the products being joined. For this to happen, the surfaces must be clean or be soiled only with contaminants that are easily removed by an appropriate flux. It often is necessary that the flux be only strong enough to remove the normally occurring soils. A more aggressive flux may corrode the product and have other harmful effects. Nonactivated rosin in alcohol is the standard flux used in this test method; however, provision is made for the use of other fluxes. Since rosin is a mild flux, it provides better discrimination between acceptable and unacceptable solderability in marginal cases than do more active fluxes.
4.2 Metallic coatings are frequently used to provide solderable surfaces. But, an improperly produced coating may not yield the required solderability. There are many coating defects that cause poor solderability including porosity, codeposited impurities, incorrect thickness, and surface contamination. It may be difficult or impractical to test a coating directly for each of the undesirable conditions. In these instances solderability is tested. Products that pass the solderability test can be expected to solder satisfactorily in production. In the case of failure to pass the test, the test results will not reveal the cause of the inadequate solderability, though, with experience, an operator may be able to identify the cause.
4.3 This test method measures the ability of a coated product to be soldered with Sn60Pb40 or Sn63Pb37 solder using a nonactivated rosin flux. This solder and this flux, or an activated form of it, are generally used in the assembly of electronic products.
4.4 It is intended that the tested specimens be components of electronic products or articles with the same general shape and mass. Articles that are much more massive than this will heat up too slowly during...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for evaluating the solderability of metallic-coated products and test specimens to assure satisfactory performance in manufacturing processes requiring soldering with soft (tin-lead) solder and rosin flux. This test method is applicable only for testing coatings that are normally readily solderable such as: tin, tin-lead alloy, silver, and gold.
1.2 This test method is qualitative and broadly applicable. It is easy to perform and requires only simple equipment. There are other solderability tests not covered by this test method that are more applicable to specific situations, yield quantitative results, or both. Several are described in the literature.2 This is a “go-no-go” test and does not grade solderability as excellent, good, fair, and so forth.
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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, health, and environmental 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.
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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: B678 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B678; 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 2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for evaluating the
D509 Test Methods of Sampling and Grading Rosin
solderability of metallic-coated products and test specimens to
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
assure satisfactory performance in manufacturing processes
requiring soldering with soft (tin-lead) solder and rosin flux.
3. Summary of Test Method
This test method is applicable only for testing coatings that are
3.1 The specimen to be tested is coated with rosin flux,
normally readily solderable such as: tin, tin-lead alloy, silver,
and gold. dipped briefly into molten tin-lead solder, and examined for
complete and uniform coverage by the solder. When specifi-
1.2 This test method is qualitative and broadly applicable. It
cally required, the specimens are artificially aged before testing
is easy to perform and requires only simple equipment. There
by exposure to hot, humid air.
are other solderability tests not covered by this test method that
are more applicable to specific situations, yield quantitative
4. Significance and Use
2
results, or both. Several are described in the literature. This is
4.1 In order that a sound solder joint be formed simply and
a “go-no-go” test and does not grade solderability as excellent,
quickly in a production operation, the molten solder must
good, fair, and so forth.
readily wet and spread over the surfaces of the products being
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
joined. For this to happen, the surfaces must be clean or be
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
soiled only with contaminants that are easily removed by an
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
appropriate flux. It often is necessary that the flux be only
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
strong enough to remove the normally occurring soils. A more
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental prac-
aggressive flux may corrode the product and have other
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
harmful effects. Nonactivated rosin in alcohol is the standard
prior to use.
flux used in this test method; however, provision is made for
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
the use of other fluxes. Since rosin is a mild flux, it provides
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
better discrimination between acceptable and unacceptable
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
solderability in marginal cases than do more active fluxes.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2 Metallic coatings are frequently used to provide solder-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
able surfaces. But, an improperly produced coating may not
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
yield the required solderability. There are many coating defects
that cause poor solderability including porosity, codeposited
impurities, incorrect thickness, and surface contamination. It
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
may be difficult or impractical to test a coating directly for each
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
of the undesirable conditions. In these instances solderability is
Test Methods.
tested. Products that pass the solderability test can be expected
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as B678 – 86 (2017). to solder satisfactorily in production. In the case of failure to
DOI: 10.1520/B0678-23.
2
Long, J. B., “A Critical Review of Solderability Testing,” in Properties of
3
Electrodeposits, Their Measurement and Significance, edited by Richard Sard, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Henry Leidheiser, Jr., and Fielding Ogburn, The Electrochemical Society, 1975. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Harding, W. B., “Solderability Testing,” Plating, Vol 52, No. 10, October 1965, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
pp. 971–98
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B678 − 86 (Reapproved 2017) B678 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B678; 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
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for evaluating the solderability of metallic-coated products and test specimens to assure
satisfactory performance in manufacturing processes requiring soldering with soft (tin-lead) solder and rosin flux. This test method
is applicable only for testing coatings that are normally readily solderable such as: tin, tin-lead alloy, silver, and gold.
1.2 This test method is qualitative and broadly applicable. It is easy to perform and requires only simple equipment. There are
other solderability tests not covered by this test method that are more applicable to specific situations, yield quantitative results,
2
or both. Several are described in the literature. This is a “go-no-go” test and does not grade solderability as excellent, good, fair,
and so forth.
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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, health, and environmental 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B32 Specification for Solder Metal
D509 Test Methods of Sampling and Grading Rosin
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The specimen to be tested is coated with rosin flux, dipped briefly into molten tin-lead solder, and examined for complete and
uniform coverage by the solder. When specifically required, the specimens are artificially aged before testing by exposure to hot,
humid air.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on Test
Methods.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2017January 2024. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20112017
as B678 – 86 (2011).(2017). DOI: 10.1520/B0678-86R17.10.1520/B0678-23.
2
Long, J. B., “A Critical Review of Solderability Testing,” in Properties of Electrodeposits, Their Measurement and Significance, edited by Richard Sard, Henry
Leidheiser, Jr., and Fielding Ogburn, The Electrochemical Society, 1975.
Harding, W. B., “Solderability Testing,” Plating, Vol 52, No. 10, October 1965, pp. 971–981.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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B678 − 23
4. Significance and Use
4.1 In order that a sound solder joint be formed simply and quickly in a production operation, the molten solder must readily wet
and spread over the surfaces of the products being joined. For this to happen, the surfaces must be clean or be soiled only with
contaminants that are easily removed by an appropriate flux. It often is necessary that the flux be only strong enough to remove
the normally occurring soils. A more aggressive flux may corrode the product and have other harmful effects. Nonactivated rosin
in alcohol is the standard flux used in this test method; however, provision is made for the use of other fluxes. Since rosin is a mild
flux, it provides better discrimination between acceptable and unacceptable solderability in marginal cases than do more active
fluxes.
4.2 Metallic coatings are frequently used to provide solderable surfaces. But, an improperly produced coating may not yield the
required sol
...
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