Plated Wire

Electroplated Wires, Gold, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Tin/Lead

MWS offers a complete line of electroplated wire in round and ribbon shapes. Wires inventoried include those meeting QQ-W-343, AA59551, Mil Std 1276, ASTM B298, ASTM B355, and ASTM B488 requirements.

These wires were developed for applications where severe operating environments may degrade conventional conductor materials. Conventional copper wires are plated with gold, silver, or nickel in a variety of plating thicknesses, and then are film-insulated.

At elevated temperatures, these wires can operate for extremely long periods of time, as the plated constructions prevent high-temperature chemical migration and conductor oxidation. Tin and copper plated wires are insulated for lower temperature applications.

Plated Wire | MWS Industries In addition to conductor protection, these plated constructions can improve a wire’s solderability, conductivity, and overall strength. Film thicknesses can range from single to extra heavy special builds. See Magnet Wire Insulations for a complete list of insulations. Sizes 14-56 AWG can be produced in single end, parallel bonded, and twisted constructions. Also offered is braided and stranded constructions.

At MWS, we use electroplating to create specialty wire to provide a solderable, conductive or corrosion-resistant surface. The effect of electroplating depends on the material used.

Benefits of Electroplating with Tin alloys, Nickel, Silver, and Gold

Tin and tin-lead provide corrosion resistance and improved soldering characteristics.

Nickel prevents oxidation and corrosion and is specified when high temperatures are encountered or where wire is used in high reliability insulation systems which require high curing temperatures.

Silver likewise offers superior thermal resistance, enhanced solderability, and lubricity plus best electrical conductivity compared to other metals.

Gold does not oxidize like most metals, so it is recommended for high reliability electrical components to avoid loss of conductivity due to oxide layer buildup. It is particularly effective on fine and ultrafine wires where even slight loss of cross-sectional area can cause significant loss of wire’s capacity.

Image

Base Metals

Copper -CDA 11000, CDA 10200, CDA 10100
Brass -CDA 26000
Phosphor Bronze -CDA 51000
Beryllium Copper – CDA 17200
Nickel -200, 201, 205, 270
Copper Clad Steel
Constantan
Dumet
Kovar
Monel
Stainless Steel (various grades)

Plating Finishes

Tin -Mil T 10727, ASTM B545
Tin/Lead -ASTM B579, Mil P 81728 (95/5, 90/10, 60/40)
Nickel -QQ N 290, ASTM B689, ASTM B355
Silver -ASTM B700, ASTM B298
Gold -Mil G 45204, Mil DTL 45204D, ASTM B488

Plating Thickness

10-750 microinch (.000010 – .000750 inch)

Base Metals

1-5 microinch (.000001-.000005 inch)

Round Sizes

.102-.0007 inch

Round Sizes

thickness .001 inch and larger; width up to .250 inch

Packaging

Packaging on spools or cut to length as required

Nickel, Silver and Gold electroplated wires are also available with film insulation

See Insulation Guide

Plated Wire Data

Download the Data Sheet
Size
(AWG)
DIA.
(Inches)
CIR.
MILS
DCR
(Ω / KFT
AT 20° C)
Pounds
Per
1000 FT
THICKNESS OF COATING (MICROINCHES)
Silver PlatedNickel Plated
NOM.NOM.NOM.1.25%2%2.5%3%4%5%6.1%2%4%7%10%27%
14.064141092.54212.4170272343417551692846322647114216454670
15.057132603.1819.87151243305371491617754282577101814654160
16.050825814.0197.8113521627233043754967125551390513043700
17.045320525.0546.2112019324229439048959822845880711623300
18.040316246.3864.9210717121626234743553220240771810342930
19.035912898.0473.90951531922333093884741803636409212610
20.0320102410.133.10851361712082473464221613235708212330
21.0285812.312.772.46761211521852453083761432885087312070
22.0253640.116.201.946710081351642182733341272554516491850
23.0226510.820.311.5560961211471942442931142284035801640
24.0201404.025.671.2253851081311732172651012033585161460
25.0179320.432.37.970477696116154193236901813194591300
26.0159252.841.02.765426885103137172210801612834081160
27.0142201.651.43.61038607692122153187711432533641030
28.0126158.865.33.4813354678210813616663127224323920
29.0113127.781.22.387304860739712214957114201290820
30.0100100.0103.7.303274354658610813250101178256730
31.008979.21130.9.2402438485877961174590159228650
32.008064.00162.0.1942134435269861064081143205580
33.007150.41205.7.153193038466177943672126182520
34.006339.69261.3.120172734415468833264112162460
35.005631.36330.7.0949152430364860742857100144410
36.005025.00414.8.075713212733435466255089128360
37.004520.25512.1.061312192429394859234580116320
38.004016.00648.2.048411172126344353204071103290
39.003512.25846.6.0371915192330384618356290260
40.00319.611079.0291813172027334116315580230