ASTM B189-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: B 189 – 95
Standard Specification for
Lead-Coated and Lead-Alloy-Coated Soft Copper Wire for
Electrical Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 189; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.1 Quantity of each size and type of coating,
3.1.2 Wire size: diameter in inches (see 5.3 and Table 1),
1.1 This specification covers lead-coated and lead-alloy-
3.1.3 Type of coating ( Section 1),
coated, round, soft or annealed copper wire for electrical
3.1.4 Type of copper, if special (see 4.2),
purposes.
3.1.5 Package size (see 8.1),
1.2 The SI values for density and resistivity are to be
3.1.6 Special package marking, if required, and
regarded as the standard. For all other properties the inch-
3.1.7 Place of inspection (see 6.1).
poundvaluesaretoberegardedasthestandardandtheSIunits
3.2 In addition, Supplementary Requirements shall apply
may be approximate.
only when specified by the purchaser in the inquiry, contract or
1.3 The hazard statement applies only to Section 6, Test
purchase order for direct procurement by agencies of the U. S.
Methods of this specification. This standard does not purport
Government (S1, S2, and S3).
to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
4. Material
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
4.1 Coating Material—The coating material shall be com-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mercially pure lead or a lead alloy. The lead alloy shall
2. Referenced Documents conform to the following requirements as to chemical compo-
sition as determined by analysis of samples from the coating
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect at the
bath:
time of reference form a part of these methods to the extent
referenced herein:
Lead, min, % 25
A
2.2 ASTM Standards:
Tin, max, % 75
Antimony, max, % 6
B49 Specification for Copper Redraw Rod for Electrical
A
Purposes
It is permissible to use alloying constituents other than those specified above
to replace a portion of the tin.
B 193 Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor
4.2 Copper-Base Metal—The base metal shall be copper of
Materials
such quality and purity that the finished product shall have
B 258 Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and
properties and characteristics prescribed in this specification.
Cross-SectionalAreasofAWGSizesofSolidRoundWires
Used as Electrical Conductors
NOTE 1—SpecificationB49 defines copper suitable for use.
2.3 NIST:
4.2.1 Copper of special qualities, forms, or types, as may be
NBS Handbook 100 —Copper Wire Tables
agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser, and
which will conform to the requirements prescribed in this
3. Ordering Information
specification may also be used.
3.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
the following information:
5. General Requirements (See Section 9)
5.1 Tensile Strength and Elongation (Explanatory Note
1)—The coated wire shall conform to the requirements for
Thic specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-1 on
Electrical Conductors and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B01.04 on
elongation prescribed in Table 1. No requirements for tensile
Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys.
strength are specified. For wire whose nominal diameter is
Current edition approved July 15, 1995. Published September 1995. Originally
more than 0.001 in. (1 mil) greater than a size listed inTable 1,
published as B 189 – 44 T. Last previous edition B 189 – 90.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.01. but less than that of the next larger size, the requirements of the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.03.
next larger size shall apply.
Available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal
Rd., Springfield, VA 22161.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
B 189–95
TABLE 1 Tensile Requirements TABLE 2 Electrical Resistivity Requirements
Area at 20°C Resistivity at
Elongation in 10
Diameter, in.
Nominal Diameter, in. 20°C,
in., min, %
cmils in.
V·lb/mile
0.4600 211 600 0.1662 30
0.460 to 0.290, incl 896.15
0.4096 167 800 0.1318 30
Under 0.290 to 0.103, incl 900.77
0.3648 133 100 0.1045 30
Under 0.103 to 0.0201, incl 910.15
0.3249 105 600 0.08291 30
Under 0.0201 to 0.0111, incl 929.52
Under 0.0111 to 0.0030, incl 939.51
0.2893 83 690 0.06573 25
0.2576 66 360 0.05212 25
0.2294 52 620 0.04133 25
0.2043 41 740 0.03278 25
TABLE 3 Permissible Variations in Diameter
0.1819 33 090 0.02599 25
Nominal Diameter of Permissible Variations in Diameter
0.1620 26 240 0.02061 25
Wire, in. plus minus
0.1443 20 820 0.01635 25
Under 0.0100 0.0003 in. (0.3 mil) 0.0001 in. (0.1 mil)
0.1285 16 510 0.01297 25
A A
0.0100 and over 3 % 1%
A
0.1144 13 090 0.01028 25
Expressed to the nearest 0.0001 in. (0.1 mil).
0.1019 10 380 0.008155 20
0.0907 8 230 0.00646 20
0.0808 6 530 0.00513 20
ing or insulating.The continuity of coating shall be determined
by the ammonium persulfate test in accordance with 6.4or by
0.0720 5 180 0.00407 20
the sodium polysulfide-hydrochloric acid test in accordance
0.0641 4 110 0.00323 20
0.0571 3 260 0.00256 20
with 6.5. In case the results obtained in the sodium polysulfide-
0.0508 2 580 0.00203 20
hydrochloric acid test are not conclusive, the ammonium
persulfate test shall be employed and the results obtained by
0.0453 2 050 0.00161 20
0.0403 1 620 0.00128 20
this latter test shall be final.
0.0359 1 290 0.00101 20
5.5 Joints—Necessary joints in the completed wire and in
0.0320 1 020 0.000804 20
the wire and rods prior to final drawing shall be made in
0.0285 812 0.000638 20
accordance with the best commercial practice.
0.0253 640 0.000503 20
5.6 Finish—The coating shall consist of a smooth continu-
0.0226 511 0.000401 20
0.0201 404 0.000317 15 ouslayer,firmlyadherenttothesurfaceofthecopper.Thewire
shall be free of all imperfections not consistent with the best
0.0179 320 0.000252 15
commercial practice.
0.0159 253 0.000199 15
0.0142 202 0.000158 15
0.0126 159 0.000125 15 6. Test Methods
6.1 Tensile Strength and Elongation (Explanatory Note
0.0113 128 0.000100 15
0.0100 100 0.0000785 10 3)—No test for tensile strength shall be required.
0.0089 79.2 0.0000622 10
6.1.1 The elongation of wire whose nominal diameter is
0.0080 64.0 0.0000503 10
larger than 0.0808 in. (2.052 mm) in diameter shall be
0.0071 50.4 0.0000396 10 determined as the permanent increase in length, expressed in
0.0063 39.7 0.0000312 10
percent of the original length, due to the breaking of the wire
0.0056 31.4 0.0000246 10
in tension, measured between gage marks placed originally 10
0.0050 25.0 0.0000196 10
in. (254 mm) apart upon the test specimen. The elongation of
0.0045 20.2 0.0000159 10
the wire whose nominal diameter is 0.0808 in. and under may
0.0040 16.0 0.0000126 10
be determined as just described or by measurements made
0.0035 12.2 0.00000962 10
0.0031 9.61 0.00000755 10 between the jaws of the testing machine. When the latter
method is used, the zero length shall be the distance between
the jaws at the start of the tension test and be as near 10 in. as
practicable, and the final length shall be the distance between
the jaws at the time of rupture. The fracture shall be between
5.2 Resistivity (Explanatory Note 2)—The electrical resis- gage marks in the case of specimens so marked or between the
tivity of the coated wire at a temperature of 20°C shall not jaws of the testing machine and not closer than 1 in. (25.4 mm)
exceed the values prescribed in Table 2. to either gage mark or either jaw.
5.3 Dimensions and Permissible Variations (Explanatory 6.2 Resistivity (Explanatory Note 2)—The electrical resis-
Note 1)—The wire sizes shall be expressed as the diameter of tivity of the material shall be determined in accordance with
thewireindecimalfractionsofaninchtothenearest0.0001in. TestMethodE 193.Thepurchasermayacceptcertificationthat
(0.1 mil). The coated wire shall not vary from the specified the wire was drawn from rod stock meeting the international
diameter by more than the amounts prescribed in Table 3. standard for annealed copper in lieu of resistivity tests on the
5.4 Continuity of Coating—The lead or lead-alloy coating finished wire.
shall be continuous.The continuity of coating on the wire shall 6.3 Dimensional Measurements—Dimensional measure-
be determined on representative samples taken before strand- ments shall be made with a micrometer caliper equipped with
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
B 189–95
a vernier graduated in 0.0001 in. Measurements shall be made 6.5 Continuity of Coating (Sodium Polysulfide-
on at least three places on each unit selected for this test. If Hydrochloric Acid Test):
accessible, one measurement shall be taken on each end and
6.5.1 Specimens:
one near the middle. The average of the three measurements
6.5.1.1 Length of Specimens—Thetestspecimensshalleach
shall determine compliance with the requirements.
have a length of about 6 in. (152 mm). They shall be tagged or
6.4 Continuity of Coating (Ammonium Persulfate Test):
marked to correspond with the coil, spool, or reel from which
6.4.1 Specimens:
they were cut.
6.4.1.1 Length of Specimens—The length of test specimens
6.5.1.2 Treatment of Specimens—The test specimens shall
shall be determined by substituting the appropriate value of K,
be thoroughly cleaned by immersion in a suitable organic
as given in Table 4, in the following equation:
solvent, such as benzene, ether, or trichloroethylene for at least
L 5 K/D 3 min, then removed and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth.
(Caution: Explanatory Note 4.) The specimens thus cleaned
where:
shall be kept wrapped in a clean, dry cloth until tested.
L = length of test specimen, in. (or mm), and
Precaution: That part of the specimen to be immersed in the
D = iameter of the coated wire, in. (or mm).
test solution shall not be handled. Care shall be taken to avoid
In cases where the length of a specimen, determined by the
abrasion by the cut ends.
above equation, is such that it cannot be immersed in the
6.5.2 Special Solutions (Explanatory Note 5):
specified manner as a single length, it may be divided into
6.5.2.1 Sodium Polysulfide Solution (sp gr 1.142)—A con-
shorter sections which will permit complete immersion.
centrated solution shall be made by dissolving sodium sulfide
6.4.1.2 Treatment of Specimens—The specimens shall be
cp crystals in distilled water until the solution is saturated at
thoroughly cleaned by immersion in a suitable organic solvent
about 21°C and adding sufficient flowers of sulfur (in excess of
such as benzene, ether, or trichloroethylene for at least 3 min,
250 g/L of solution) to provide complete saturation, as shown
then removed and wiped dry with a clean soft cloth. (Caution:
by the presence in the solution of an excess of sulfur after the
Explanatory Note 4.) The ends of each specimen shall be
solution has been allowed to stand for at least 24 h. The test
completely coated with wax to protect the exposed copper.The
solution shall be made by diluting a portion of the concentrated
wax-coated length shall not be included in determining the
solution with distilled water to a specific gravity of 1.142 at
length of the specimen.
16°C. The sodium polysulfide test solution should have suffi-
6.4.2 Special Solutions:
cient strength to blacken thoroughly a piece of clean, untinned
6.4.2.1 Test Solution (Ammonium Persulfate)—Dissolve 10
copperwirein5s.Aportionofthetestsolutionusedfortesting
g of ammonium persulfate (cp crystals containing not less than
specimens shall not be considered to be exhausted until it fails
95 % of ammonium persulfate) in 500 mL of distilled water.
to blacken a piece of clean copper as described above.
Add 75 mL of cp NH OH (sp gr 0.90) and dilute to 1 L with
6.5.2.2 Hydrochloric Acid Solution (sp gr 1.088)—
distilled water. The ammonium persulfate solution shall be
Commercial HCl (sp gr 1.12) shall be diluted with distilled
freshly prepared each day. Tests are to be conducted and shall
watertoaspecificgravityof1.088measuredat16°C.Aportion
not be subjected to temperatures above 100°F.
ofHClsolutionhavingavolumeof180mLshallbeconsidered
6.4.2.2 Reference Color Standard (Copper Sulfate-
to be exhausted when the number of test specimens prescribed
Ammonium Hydroxide)—Dissolve 0.100 g of anhydrous cop-
in Table 5 have been immersed in it for two cycles.
per sulfate in distilled water, add 75 mL of cp NH OH (sp gr
6.5.3 Procedure—Immerse a length of at least 4 ⁄2 in. from
0.90), and dilute to 1 L.
each of the cleaned specimens in accordance with the follow-
6.4.3 Procedure—Immerse a specimen of the required
ing cycles, in test solutions maintained at a temperature
length (see section 6.4.1.1) in the quantity of test solution
between 16 and 21°C:
prescribed in Table 4, using as the container a test tube of
6.5.3.1 Immerse the specimen for 30 s in the sodium
appropriate dimensions. Immerse the specimen in the test
polysulfide solution, wash, and then shake lightly to remove
solution at a temperature between 83 and 87°F for a period of
excess water.
15 min. Then remove the specimen and compare the test
6.5.3.2 Immerse the specimen for 1 min in the HCl solution,
solution with an equal depth of the reference color standard
wash, and then shake lightly to remove excess water.
contained in a similar test tube. Make the color comparison by
viewing the solutions lengthwise of the test tubes. The color of
the test solution after immersion of the test specimen shall be
not darker than that of the reference color-standard solution. TABLE 5 Limiting Number of Test Specimens for Hydrochloric
Acid Test
Maximum Number of Specimens
TABLE 4 Data for Ammonium Persulfate Test
Diameter, in. to be Tested for Two Cycles in
Quantity of Test 180 mL of Acid Solution
Wire Diameter, in. K
Solutions, mL
0.460 to 0.141, incl 2
0.460 to 0.321, incl 1.2 150 Under 0.141 to 0.0851, incl 4
Under 0.321 to 0.161, incl 0.8 100 Under 0.0851 to 0.0501,
...