ASTM B678-23

ASTM B678-23 is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 In order that a sound solder joint be formed simply and quickly in a production operation, the molten solder must readily wet and spread over the surfaces of the products being joined. For this to happen, the surfaces must be clean or be soiled only with contaminants that are easily removed by an appropriate flux. It often is necessary that the flux be only strong enough to remove the normally occurring soils. A more aggressive flux may corrode the product and have other harmful effects. Nonactivated rosin in alcohol is the standard flux used in this test method; however, provision is made for the use of other fluxes. Since rosin is a mild flux, it provides better discrimination between acceptable and unacceptable solderability in marginal cases than do more active fluxes. 4.2 Metallic coatings are frequently used to provide solderable surfaces. But, an improperly produced coating may not yield the required solderability. There are many coating defects that cause poor solderability including porosity, codeposited impurities, incorrect thickness, and surface contamination. It may be difficult or impractical to test a coating directly for each of the undesirable conditions. In these instances solderability is tested. Products that pass the solderability test can be expected to solder satisfactorily in production. In the case of failure to pass the test, the test results will not reveal the cause of the inadequate solderability, though, with experience, an operator may be able to identify the cause. 4.3 This test method measures the ability of a coated product to be soldered with Sn60Pb40 or Sn63Pb37 solder using a nonactivated rosin flux. This solder and this flux, or an activated form of it, are generally used in the assembly of electronic products. 4.4 It is intended that the tested specimens be components of electronic products or articles with the same general shape and mass. Articles that are much more massive than this will heat up too slowly during... SCOPE 1.1 This test method provides a procedure for evaluating the solderability of metallic-coated products and test specimens to assure satisfactory performance in manufacturing processes requiring soldering with soft (tin-lead) solder and rosin flux. This test method is applicable only for testing coatings that are normally readily solderable such as: tin, tin-lead alloy, silver, and gold. 1.2 This test method is qualitative and broadly applicable. It is easy to perform and requires only simple equipment. There are other solderability tests not covered by this test method that are more applicable to specific situations, yield quantitative results, or both. Several are described in the literature.2 This is a “go-no-go” test and does not grade solderability as excellent, good, fair, and so forth. 1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 In order that a sound solder joint be formed simply and quickly in a production operation, the molten solder must readily wet and spread over the surfaces of the products being joined. For this to happen, the surfaces must be clean or be soiled only with contaminants that are easily removed by an appropriate flux. It often is necessary that the flux be only strong enough to remove the normally occurring soils. A more aggressive flux may corrode the product and have other harmful effects. Nonactivated rosin in alcohol is the standard flux used in this test method; however, provision is made for the use of other fluxes. Since rosin is a mild flux, it provides better discrimination between acceptable and unacceptable solderability in marginal cases than do more active fluxes. 4.2 Metallic coatings are frequently used to provide solderable surfaces. But, an improperly produced coating may not yield the required solderability. There are many coating defects that cause poor solderability including porosity, codeposited impurities, incorrect thickness, and surface contamination. It may be difficult or impractical to test a coating directly for each of the undesirable conditions. In these instances solderability is tested. Products that pass the solderability test can be expected to solder satisfactorily in production. In the case of failure to pass the test, the test results will not reveal the cause of the inadequate solderability, though, with experience, an operator may be able to identify the cause. 4.3 This test method measures the ability of a coated product to be soldered with Sn60Pb40 or Sn63Pb37 solder using a nonactivated rosin flux. This solder and this flux, or an activated form of it, are generally used in the assembly of electronic products. 4.4 It is intended that the tested specimens be components of electronic products or articles with the same general shape and mass. Articles that are much more massive than this will heat up too slowly during... SCOPE 1.1 This test method provides a procedure for evaluating the solderability of metallic-coated products and test specimens to assure satisfactory performance in manufacturing processes requiring soldering with soft (tin-lead) solder and rosin flux. This test method is applicable only for testing coatings that are normally readily solderable such as: tin, tin-lead alloy, silver, and gold. 1.2 This test method is qualitative and broadly applicable. It is easy to perform and requires only simple equipment. There are other solderability tests not covered by this test method that are more applicable to specific situations, yield quantitative results, or both. Several are described in the literature.2 This is a “go-no-go” test and does not grade solderability as excellent, good, fair, and so forth. 1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM B678-23 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 25.160.50 - Brazing and soldering. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM B678-23 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM B678-86(2017), ASTM B734-97(2023), ASTM B700-20, ASTM B733-22, ASTM B607-21, ASTM B545-22, ASTM B488-18. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

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