CUNECTRACU-AL COMPOSITES · PCB/SMT
Material certificate / plating drawing / environmental test planMaterial & Plating Review

PCB Hardware Copper Alloy, Plating and Reliability Selection Checklist

Match material grade, temper and finish to the intended function.

Conductivity, elasticity, forming, soldering and contact life impose different constraints. A material grade does not define one fixed strength, and a finish name does not establish field life. Review temper, thickness, underplate and environment together.

Grade + temperMaterialCheck the batch material certificate
Complete stackFinishSubstrate, underplate, topcoat, thickness and zones
Assembly conditionsContactPressure, wear, vibration and environment
Before/afterValidationResistance, wetting, corrosion and function
ENGINEERING CHALLENGES

Key Engineering & Assembly Failure Modes

⚡

Conductivity versus spring function

Conductors and spring contacts have different constraints. Review resistivity, strength, springback and temperature for each function.

🔬

Whiskers and interface changes

Matte tin or nickel underplate cannot guarantee elimination of all tin-whisker risk. Review spacing, processing, environment and the applicable reliability plan.

🛡️

Environmental-test extrapolation

Salt mist, humidity and vibration results apply to stated samples and conditions; they do not directly establish field service life.

Review material and finish by function

CUNECTRA STANDARD SPEC
FunctionInputsEvidence
Current conductorTemper, section, current and temperatureMaterial certificate, resistance and temperature-rise records
Spring contactDeflection, contact force, cycles and temperatureForce/displacement, relaxation and contact resistance
Solder surfaceLayer thickness, solder, storage and profileFinish measurement, wetting and joint inspection
Corrosion protectionMating metals, moisture, salt, seals and edgesAppearance, resistance and function before/after exposure
DFM GUIDELINES

Design for Manufacturability Guidelines

01

Specify material condition

Record grade, temper, thickness and test method on the drawing and purchase requirements.

Impact: Avoid treating handbook typical values as incoming-lot guarantees.
02

Separate functional zones

Identify solder, sliding contact, thread and cut-edge zones with their own finish and inspection requirements.

Impact: Match plating choices to actual failure mechanisms.
ENGINEERING FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does matte tin guarantee freedom from whiskers?+

No. Specify process, underplate, stress, environment and testing, then evaluate the system risk.

Do salt-spray hours establish outdoor life?+

Not alone. Connect the method, assembled state and corrosion mechanism to the intended environment.

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