ASTM B33-10 (2020)e1 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Specification for Tin‑Coated Soft or Annealed Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes — ASTM B33‑10(2020)e1. This edition is the B33‑10 specification (originally approved 2010) with editorial corrections and reissue recorded on January 1, 2020; it defines materials, mechanical and electrical requirements, and coating tests for tin‑coated (tinned) soft or annealed copper wire intended for electrical applications.

Abstract

This standard covers tin‑coated, round, soft or annealed copper wire used for electrical purposes. It specifies dimensional and mechanical requirements (tensile and elongation), electrical resistivity limits, methods for measuring wire size, and acceptance tests for tin‑coating continuity and adherence (including hydrochloric acid–sodium polysulfide continuity testing and wrapping/immersion adherence tests). The specification is brief (technical requirements and test procedures are presented concisely) and intended for use by manufacturers, purchasers, and test laboratories assessing tinned copper conductor quality and conformance.

General information

• Status: Current (B33‑10 edition with editorial correction issued Jan 1, 2020).
• Publication date: Original edition 2010; editorially corrected/reissued Jan 1, 2020 (designation shown as B33‑10(2020)e1).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 29.060.10 — Wires (electrical conductors).
• Edition / version: B33‑10 (2010) — reapproved/reissued with editorial correction 2020 (notation B33‑10(2020)e1).
• Number of pages: 6 pages.

Scope

The specification applies to tin‑coated (tinned), round, soft or annealed copper wire intended for electrical purposes. It sets requirements for wire size and dimensional measurement, mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), electrical resistivity, and the quality of the tin coating (continuity and adherence). Test methods and acceptance criteria for coating continuity (hydrochloric acid‑sodium polysulfide test) and adherence (wrapping and immersion test) are included. Values are given in inch‑pound units (SI conversions provided for information where applicable).

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and wire size designation (diameter measurement method using micrometer with vernier).
• Mechanical properties: specified tensile strength and minimum elongation by wire diameter/class.
• Electrical resistivity limits and test provisions.
• Tin coating quality: continuity testing (hydrochloric acid–sodium polysulfide) and adherence testing (wrapping and immersion procedures).
• Sampling, specimen preparation, and acceptance criteria for coating and mechanical tests.
• Units and tolerances: primary inch‑pound units with SI conversions noted; specific tolerances for small diameters included.

Typical use and users

Used by wire manufacturers, quality/control laboratories, electrical component and cable producers, procurement and inspection departments, and engineers specifying tinned copper wire for electrical and electronic assemblies. Common applications include cable and leadwire manufacturing, solderable conductors, and instances where tinning is required for corrosion resistance or solderability.

Related standards

Standards often referenced together with or related to ASTM B33 include other ASTM B0x series conductor specifications (for bare copper wire, drawn copper wire and copper alloys), and more specialized tin‑coating or solderability standards such as the newer specification addressing high‑performance tin‑coated conductors intended for solderability applications. Users should consult applicable ASTM B01 committee publications for cross‑references and complementary test methods.

Keywords

tinned wire, tin‑coated copper wire, annealed copper wire, soft copper wire, electrical conductor, coating continuity, coating adherence, hydrochloric acid sodium polysulfide test, wrapping test, resistivity, tensile strength.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B33‑10(2020)e1 is the ASTM specification that defines requirements and test methods for tin‑coated (tinned), soft or annealed round copper wire intended for electrical purposes; this listing reflects the B33‑10 edition with editorial correction/reissue dated January 1, 2020.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers dimensional designation, mechanical properties (tensile and elongation), electrical resistivity, and acceptance tests for tin coating continuity and adherence (including specified chemical and mechanical tests). Values are given in inch‑pound units with SI conversions provided for information.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of tinned copper wire, inspectors and test laboratories, purchasing/specification engineers in the electrical and electronics industries, and assemblers who require defined conductor and coating properties for reliability and solderability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The technical base is the B33‑10 edition (2010) and the document has been editorially corrected and reissued with a 2020 editorial correction notation (B33‑10(2020)e1); previous reapprovals occurred in intervening years. Users should confirm the effective edition and any newer revisions before purchase or citation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of ASTM’s B series standards for copper and copper alloy conductors (Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors) and is commonly used alongside other B‑series conductor and coating specifications and ASTM test methods referenced within the text.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tin‑coated, tinned, annealed copper wire, soft copper wire, coating continuity, coating adherence, sodium polysulfide test, wrapping test, electrical conductor, resistivity, tensile strength.