ASTM B678-86(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:B678–86(Reapproved2001)
Standard Test Method for
Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 678; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope callyrequired,thespecimensareartificiallyagedbeforetesting
by exposure to hot, humid air.
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for evaluating the
solderability of metallic-coated products and test specimens to
4. Significance and Use
assure satisfactory performance in manufacturing processes
4.1 In order that a sound solder joint be formed simply and
requiring soldering with soft (tin-lead) solder and rosin flux.
quickly in a production operation, the molten solder must
This test method is applicable only for testing coatings that are
readily wet and spread over the surfaces of the products being
normally readily solderable such as: tin, tin-lead alloy, silver,
joined. For this to happen, the surfaces must be clean or be
and gold.
soiled only with contaminants that are easily removed by an
1.2 This test method is qualitative and broadly applicable. It
appropriate flux. It often is necessary that the flux be only
is easy to perform and requires only simple equipment. There
strong enough to remove the normally occurring soils.Amore
are other solderability tests not covered by this test method that
aggressive flux may corrode the product and have other
are more applicable to specific situations, yield quantitative
2 harmful effects. Nonactivated rosin in alcohol is the standard
results, or both. Several are described in the literature. This is
flux used in this test method; however, provision is made for
a “go-no-go” test and does not grade solderability as excellent,
the use of other fluxes. Since rosin is a mild flux, it provides
good, fair, and so forth.
better discrimination between acceptable and unacceptable
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
solderability in marginal cases than do more active fluxes.
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
4.2 Metallic coatings are frequently used to provide solder-
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
able surfaces. But, an improperly produced coating may not
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
yield the required solderability.There are many coating defects
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
that cause poor solderability including porosity, codeposited
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
impurities, incorrect thickness, and surface contamination. It
2. Referenced Documents maybedifficultorimpracticaltotestacoatingdirectlyforeach
of the undesirable conditions. In these instances solderability is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tested. Products that pass the solderability test can be expected
B 32 Specification for Solder Metal
4 to solder satisfactorily in production. In the case of failure to
D 509 Test Methods of Sampling and Grading Rosin
pass the test, the test results will not reveal the cause of the
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
inadequate solderability, though, with experience, an operator
3. Summary of Test Method
may be able to identify the cause.
4.3 This test method measures the ability of a coated
3.1 The specimen to be tested is coated with rosin flux,
product to be soldered with 60/40 tin/lead solder using a
dipped briefly into molten tin-lead solder, and examined for
nonactivated rosin flux. This solder and this flux, or an
complete and uniform coverage by the solder. When specifi-
activated form of it, are generally used in the assembly of
electronic products.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB08onMetallic
4.4 It is intended that the tested specimens be components
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
of electronic products or articles with the same general shape
Test Methods.
and mass. Articles that are much more massive than this will
Current edition approved January 31, 1986. Published March 1986.
heat up too slowly during the solder immersion. If more
Long, J. B., “A Critical Review of Solderability Testing,” in Properties of
Electrodeposits, Their Measurement and Significance, edited by Richard Sard,
massive specimens are to be tested, a longer immersion time
Henry Leidheiser, Jr., and Fielding Ogburn, The Electrochemical Society, 1975.
will have to be used, the time to be determined by experiment.
Harding, W. B., “Solderability Testing,” Plating, Vol 52, No. 10, October 1965,
4.5 If the specimen tested is longer than 25 mm, its bottom
pp. 971–981.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.04. end will be in the solder for significantly longer than the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.03.
specified time. Therefore, if the specimen is longer than 25
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
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B678
mm, the results obtained at the bottom end of the specimen are 8.3 Suspend the specimens in a vessel above boiling water
invalid. This part of the specimen shall be discounted in the andleavethemtherewiththewaterboilingcontinuouslyfor24
evaluation of the results. A second set of tests can be run on h. Keep the vessel covered and assure that the specimens do
additional specimens in which the specimens are only partly not touch the side of the vessel and that the lower edges of the
immersed. These would be used to evaluate the bottom ends. specimens are from 50 to 100 mm above the surface of the
boiling water. Arrange the cover of the vessel and the con-
5. Flux
denser, if used, so that the condensed water does not drip onto
the specimens.
5.1 The flux shall be a 25 6 5 mass % solution of
8.4 Remove the aged specimens from the vessel and allow
water-white rosin, as defined
...