Silver-, nickel- and tin-coated flat conductors are currently used in a variety of electronic applications, including computer, and in the military and commercial aerospace industries. Despite this use, flat conductors made of these materials are not covered by established standards.

ASTM International Committee B01 on Electrical Conductors is now developing the following three standards to cover silver-, nickel- and tin-coated flat conductors:

WK25222, Specification for Silver-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire Intended for Use in Electronic Application;

WK25223, Specification for Nickel-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire Intended for Use in Electronic Application; and

WK25601, Specification for Tin-Coated Braid and Ribbon Flat Copper Wire Intended for Use in Electronic Application.

All interested parties are invited to participate in the development of the proposed new standards, which are under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee B01.04 on Conductors of Copper and Copper Alloys.

According to Stephen Childers, process engineer, IWG High Performance Conductors Inc., and a B01 member, the proposed standards will address bare conductor requirements and quality test and inspection criteria for each element. Users would be manufacturers and quality control departments within industries that use the conductors.

ASTM International standards can be purchased from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/). ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN

ASTM Committee B01 Next Meeting: April 21, 2010, April Committee Week, St. Louis, Mo.

Technical Contact: Stephen Childers, IWG High Performance Conductors Inc., Inman, S.C.,

ASTM Staff Contact: Jennifer Rodgers, Phone: 610-832-9694; jrodgers@astm.org

ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8442/Dec2009