tinningcykler

Tinningcykler, literally meaning “tinning cycles,” is a term used in Danish and Norwegian metal finishing to describe the sequence of operations involved in tinning a metal substrate. The concept refers to the repeated or staged processes applied to achieve a uniform tin coating that improves solderability and corrosion resistance.

A typical tinning cycle includes cleaning and degreasing of the substrate, sometimes followed by activation or acid pickling. This is followed by rinsing and then the tin deposition step, which can be performed by either hot-dip tinning or electroplating. After tinning, components are rinsed again, dried, and may undergo post-treatment such as flux application or passivation to enhance coating stability and storage life. The exact steps and their order can vary by bath chemistry, substrate material, and the desired tin thickness.

Variations of the cycle depend on the method used and the intended application. Cycle duration, number of passes, and bath composition are adjusted to achieve specific coating properties, such as brightness, ductility, or solderability. Tinning cycles are commonly used in electronics for tin-coated components and connectors, as well as in the production of tinplate for canning and other corrosion-resistant applications. In modern practice, there is a shift toward non-cyanide tin baths and more environmentally friendly formulations, with waste treatment and worker safety emphasized in regulations.

See also: tin plating, hot-dip tinning, electroplating, tinplate. Note that the term appears primarily in Scandinavian industrial contexts and may refer to standardised sequences within tinning operations rather than a single universal process.