TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

STANNOLUME BRIGHT ACID TIN

A BRIGHT ACID TIN PROCESS FOR RACK AND
BARREL PLATING

Stannolume Bright Acid Tin Process is a two component liquids tin brightener system developed for bright
acid Stannous Sulphate Plating solutions. Stannolume process produces fully bright silvery white ductile
deposit at minimum cost in both rack and barrel plating. The Electrolyte is highly stable and does not
undergo any change during idling periods and its maintenance is very simple. Stannolume Carrier Additive
and Stannolume Brightener both are used for make-up and replenishment.

SALIENT FEATURES :

Wide plating range compared to other acid tin plating systems.

Low Brightener make-up

Low brightener consumption for economy of operation

Excellent plating solution stability

Excellent ductility and solderability

Very good substitute for Tin/Lead etch resists in PCB manufacturing.

OPERATING CONDITIONS :

Concentration Range Optimum

Stannous Sulphate 24.0 - 35.0 g/l 30 g/l
Sulphuric Acid (Pure Grade) 90 - 100 ml/l 100 g/l
Stannolume Carrier Additive 20.0 - 40.0ml/l 30 ml/l
Stannolume Brightener 2.0 - 6.0 ml/l 3 ml/l
Temperature 20 - 30 °C 25 °C
Cathode Current Density
Rack 0.5 - 3.5 A/dm2 2.0 A/dm2
Barrel 0.5 - 3.5 A/dm2 1.0 A/dm2
Anode Current Density 1.0 - 2.0 A/dm2 1.0 A/dm2
Filtration Recommended
Agitation Cathode rod agitation
Anodes 99.99% pure tin

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SOLUTION MAKE UP :

Before making up a stannolume solution in a new plating tank or tank not previously used for Stannolume,
leach the tank for 24 hours with 3% by volume Sulphuric Acid and 1.0 ml/litre
Stannolume Carrier Additive. After leaching drain the solution and rinse the tank with clean water. The
Stannolume operating solution is prepared as per the following procedure.

1. In a clean, leached lined tank fill half the volume of working level with distilled or deionized
water.
2. Add cautiously 10% by volume C.P.Grade H2SO4 with continuous stirring.
3. Add the required quantity of Stannous Sulphate preferably in a slurry form. Make a slurry
Stannous Sulphate in distilled wate before adding to the plating tank. Add slurry with constant
stirring to improve the dissolution rate.
4. Dilute the solution with deionized water to bring the operating solution level to about 90% final
volume.
5. Allow the solution to cool to room temperature
6. Add with constant stirring required volume of Stannolume Carrier Additive and then Stannolume
brightener.
7. Bring the operating solution to final volume with deionized water and begin plating.

OPERATING VARIABLES :

TIN CONTENT :
The Tin metal content in the bath should be around 12-16 g/l and this gives good deposit brightness
at low current density areas and good throwing power. Hence low tin metal content is recommended
for barrel as well as rack plating where low current density brightness is important. If the bath needs
to be operated at a higher current density, tin content above 20 g/l is to be maintained to increase
the limiting current density and improve the cathode efficiency.

TEMPERATURE :
The temperature of the bath can be maintained between 20 - 35°C to obtain the desired result. However,
for a better performance, the solution temperature should be maintained between 20 - 30°C. Higher
temperature above 35°C has a tendency for a reduction in brightness at very low current areas and
extra brightener additions and hence it is necessary to maintain the temperature by use cooling coils
either made of teflon or lead.

PLATING TANKS :
M. S. tanks lined with polyethylene flexible PVC are suitable for containing acid tin solution. Tanks
should be leached with 5% sulphuric acid prior to use. PVC reinforced fibre glass can be used for
medium size installations and plastic moulded tank for small installations.

ANODES :
Anodes should be at least 99.99% pure tin. Anode hooks should be made of titanium and anodes should
be bagged in either polypropylene or polyester cloth.

HEATING AND COOLING :

The temperature of the plating solution is to be maintained within the recommended range to produce
optimum results. Where cooling is required coils made from teflon or lead may be used. Steel Pipes
coated with a suitable plastic can also be employed.

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POWER SOURCE :
Rectifiers having a six volt and with maximum residual ripple of 5% should be used.

FILTRATION :
Filtration, especially for rack plating installation is recommended. 10 micron cartridge filter having
cartridge made from polypropylene is suitable for bright tin solution. Cellulose or paper filtering media
should not be used.
PROCESS CYCLE :
Stannolume bright tin bath is suitable for plating copper, copper alloys and steel. The process cycle
for different base metals is given as under :

Copper, Non-Zinc bearing copper alloys and steel.

1. Alkaline soak and electrocleaning
2. Cold water rinse
3. Cold water rinse
4. 5-10% Sulphuric acid dip
5. Cold water rinse
6. Tin plate in Stannolume bright acid tin bath

BRASS :
Brass parts should be plated with a diffusion barrier coating of 2.5 - 3.0 microns of copper or nickel
prior to tin plating. The diffusion barrier coating prevents migration of zinc into the tin deposit. Migation
of zinc will cause poor solderability and discolour the tin finish. Once the part have been given a barrier
coating, the further processing of the parts with tin is same as given under copper and steel.

After the work has been plated in Stannolume tin process, the parts should be rinsed well with water
and under certain conditions special rinse may become necessary to ensure a bright silvery white
solderable tin finish. Finally the parts rinsed with cold and warm water and dry well to remove completely
and entrapped water especially in the recessed areas of the components.

SOLUTION CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE :

The solution should be analyzed periodically and as per the analysis the tin metal content and sulphuric
acid concentration should be adjusted and maintained within the following limits,

Range Optimum
Tin Metal
Rack 15.0 - 30.0 g/l 20 .0 g/l
Barrel 10.0 - 18.0 g/l 15.0 g/l
Sulphuric Acid
Rack 70.0 - 100.0 ml/l 90.0 ml/l
Barrel 80.0 - 120.0 ml/l 100.0 ml/l

To produce consistent results, the brightener and carrier additive concentration should be maintained
under optimum level and should be replenished by adding regularly on ampere hour basis. Normally
Stannolume Carrier Additive is replenished based on the dragout, and this will vary, and depends on
the particular plant installation. However, in case of excess Stannolume Brightener dosage, the bath
can be rectified by adding 2.0 - 4.0 cc/l. Stannolume Carrier Additive. Stannolume brightener is
consumed during the plating process and the consumption of brighteners are replenished as under

Stannolume Brightener 100 - 150 cc/KAH

Stannolume Carrier Additive 200 - 300 cc/KAH

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Barrel Plating the requirement of Stannolume Carrier Additive is comparitively less as in need for rack
plating. In order to obtain consistent result, the concentration of Stannolume Carrier Additive and
brightener should be kept under optimum level. The best method of testing to have one litre plastic
container and fill it with acid tin plating solution under test. Introduce two small anodes near the wall
of container and plate a bend panel (preferably steel) for 5 - 10 minutes at current density varying from
1.0 - 2.0 Amp/dm2 under movement and observe the results and try to improve the finish by adding either
Stannolume Carrier Additive or Stannolume Brightener as per the requirement and replenish the main
bath accordingly. Care must be taken to avoid chloride drag into the tin electrolyte, since quantities above
400 mgm/l have a strong detrimental effect on the low current density brightness.

For this reason, never use hydrochloric acid dip before tin plating. Furthermore, copper impurity above
400 mgm/l reduce the overall brightness on the whole current density range. The copper impurity can
be removed by electrolytic purification using dummy cathodes at current density 0.2 - 0.3 amp/dm2.
During usage, the solution is likely to get contaminated with organic impurities and this can be removed
by packing activated carbon in the filter unit. However, we do not recommend to add activated carbon
in the plating tank directly since it is very difficult to remove the carbon by normal filtration. During
prolonged usage and idling periods. Stannous ion gets oxidized to Stannic ion in a colloidal form which
is not easily removed by filtration. To remove colloided precipitate, we suggest the use of SEDIWELL
SN / SEDIWELL SUPER a flocculating agent at a concentration of 1-2 cc/litre which enables a quick
and complete sedimentation of the precipitate without affecting the operation of the electrolyte.

ANALYSIS FOR STANNOUS SULPHATE :

Apparatus Needed :
2 ml pipette
5 ml pipette
10 ml pipette
50 ml Burette
100 ml Graduated Cylinder
250 ml Erlenmeyer Flask

Reagents Needed :

0.1 N Potassium Iodate Solution : Dissove 3.57 grams of Potassium Iodate in deionized or distilled
water and dilute to one litre.

Starch Indicator Solution

20% Sulphuric Acid Solution

Cautiously add 20 ml concentrated sulphuric acid (A.R.) to 80 ml of deionized water.

Procedure :

1. Pipette a 5 ml of the stannolume tin operating solution into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer Flask.
2. Add 20 ml of the 20% Sulphuric Acid solution and 75 ml of deionized water
3. Add about 2 ml of starch indicator solution and titrate with 0.1 N Potassium Iodate solution to
a purple end point.

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Calculation :

(ml Potassium Iodate titrated ) x Normality Potassium Iodate x 21.5 = gms / l Stannous Sulphate

REPLENISHMENT :

For uniform, overall plating brightness on standard configuration, a stannous sulphate concentration
of 22.5 to 30 g/l is recommended. For optimum brightness on parts with low current density areas,
stannous sulphate concentration of 15 g/l is recommended.

ANALYSIS FOR FREE SULPHURIC ACID

Apparatus Needed :
5 ml pipette
50 ml Burette
100 ml Graduated Cylinder
250 ml Erlenmeyer Flask

Reagents Needed :

4.0% ammonium oxalate (NH4)2.C2O4H2O) solution :

Dissolve 40 gms of ammonium oxalate in deionized or distilled water and dilute it one litre.

1.0 N Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution : Dissolve 40 gms of C.P. Grade Sodium Hydroxide pellets
in 500 ml of distilled water and dilute to one litre.

1% Methyl Red Indicator - Dissolve 1.0 gm of Methyl Red Sodium salt in 100 ml of deionized water.

NOTE : Do not use Alcohol - based Methyl Red Indicators

Procedure :

1. Pipette 5 ml of the Stannolume Operating solution into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask.

2. Add 100 ml of the 4% ammonium oxalate solution and 5 drops of the Methyl Red Indicator
3. Titrate with 1.0 N Sodium Hydroxide Solution until the colour changes from red to yellow.

Calculation :

(ml Sodium Hydroxide titrated) x (Normality Sodium Hydroxide) x 5.3 = ml/l Sulphuric Acid

REPLENISHMENT :

Maintain the Sulphuric Acid concentration at 100 ml/l. Low concentration of Sulphuric Acid will result
in poor low density brightness.

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WASTE TREATMENT :

The Stannolume operating solution contains tin metal and sulphate and is acidic in nature. It should be
neutrailized to a pH of 7.5 to 8.0 prior to disposal into sewage system.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

DEFECT CAUSE REMEDY

1. Dull deposits at low Deficiency of Stannolume Add 0.4 - 0.8 ml/l

current density range Brightener Stannolume Brightener.
High Tin metal content Reduce the anode area or
(above 30 gm/ltr) dilute the bath

High Operating temperature Cool the bath to operating

(above 35°C) temperature

Plating at too low current Increase the current density

density

2. Streakly deposition Overdosage of Stannolume Dummy plating

withihn the high Brightener
Brightener current range,
highly levelled deposit Deficiency of Stannolume Add 2.0-6.0 ml/l
Carrier Additive Stannolume Carrier Additive

Temperature too low Increase the temperature

Current Density too high Reduce current density

Insufficient cathode movement Improve agitation

3. Dark deposit and in Strong over-dosage of Dummy plating add 4.0-10 ml/l
some case even no Brightener Stannolume Carrier Additive
tin deposition

4. Dull gray streaky Deficiency of Stannolume Addition of 0.4-1.0 cc/l

deposit and low Conversion Additive Stannolume Conversion
rate of deposition Additive

5. Overall bath dullness or Low concentration of Add 0.4 - 1.0 cc/l

haze Stannolume Brightener Stannolume Brightener
Very high bath temperature Reduce to optimum level

6. Pitting Operating at too high current Reduce the current density

density

Excess of Stannolume Add 2.0 - 5.0 cc/l Stannolume

Brightener Carrier Additive

Insufficient Agitation Improve agitation

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7. Poor Solderability Poor rinsing Improve rinsing by adopting
counter flow rinseorempoly
special rinse to neutralize
the residual acidity.

Metallic contamination Remove source of

(Nickel, Iron) contamination and dummy or
dilute the bath

Excess Brightener Add 4.0 cc/l Stannolume

Carrier Additive

Zinc Migration Use copper or nickel strike

prior to tin plating.

8. Solution becomes
turbid Excess of stannic tin Treat the solution with 2.0 - 4.0
cc Sediwell SN and decant the
solution to remove the sediment.

9. Uneven partly matt Ripple factor of the rectifiers Change to new rectifiers.
deposit and the defect is too high
is different from the
normal imbalance of
the Brightener and
Carrier Additive

CAUTION : DANGER ! STANNOLUME OPERATING SOLUTION CONTAIN SULPHURIC ACID

HAZARDS : Stannolume operating solutions contain Sulphuric acid which can cause severe skin and
eye burns. Contact with Stannolume Carrier Additive and Stannolume Brightener may cause skin
irritation or eye burns. Breathing of mist or vapours from the operating solution or solution components
may cause lung irritation or damage.

FIRST AID : In case of contact with Stannolume Carrier Additive and Stannolume Brightener or the
operating solution with skin or eyes, flush with plenty of clean, cool water for 15 minutes, for eyes
get immediate medical attention. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes and wash before reuse.

HANDLING INFORMATION : When preparing or adding to solutions, always add components

cautiously. Do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing. Avoid breathing mist or vapours. Do not take
internally When handling Stannolume Carrier Additive and Stannolume Brightener or the operating
solution, wear protective clothing, chemical safety goggles, respirator, face shield and rubber gloves.
Exhaust ventilation is recommended to remove mist or fumes that may be generated during make-up
and operation.

CONTAINER INFORMATION : Store indoors in a cool dry area. Stannolume Brightener has a flash point
of 41 °C store away from source of ignition such as sparks and open flame. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Do not reuse containers, wash before disposal.

Printed on : 1.6.94
Supersedes all earlier

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