Single core wire that's actually stranded?

[anotherjim]

I have some wire from a scrap 'scope. I assumed it was solid single tinned copper going by the feel and ends. When I stripped it back (for use as links) it looked stranded but continuously tinned as if it had been run through a solder bath before the sheath was added.
Does anyone know why it was made that way? I've never seen it before. The strands appear to have a tighter twisting than normal.

[italianguy63]

I have some wire from a scrap 'scope. I assumed it was solid single tinned copper going by the feel and ends. When I stripped it back (for use as links) it looked stranded but continuously tinned as if it had been run through a solder bath before the sheath was added.
Does anyone know why it was made that way? I've never seen it before. The strands appear to have a tighter twisting than normal.

I dunno, but I have seen it.. It is some robust stuff.

[duck_arse]

do the strands appear to be bonded, Jim?


[edit :] https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/hookup-wire-1/

[anotherjim]

do the strands appear to be bonded, Jim?


[edit :] https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/hookup-wire-1/

err... if bonded means the strands are all soldered together then yes. I managed to splay out some strands with the application of heat & flux. Definitely is stranded and definitely bonded throughout by solder.

[John Lyons]

Often referred to as Pre-bonded. Essential pre tinned stranded wire.
Love it! Harder to find (in larger sizes) but small bear has some as linked above.
It works similar to solid core but has more flex and stands up to bending better.

[willienillie]

There's a difference between pre-bonded and tinned.  I don't actually know what pre-bonded means, I use the stuff from Small Bear and it holds together somewhat but not tinned.

[John Lyons]

Tinned typically means each wire is tinned individually. Then stranded together.
Pre-bonded means that the stranded wires are tinned with solder at the factory to form a solid unit.
So you can tin stranded wire to form a solid wire end but the pre-bonded
wire is pre tinned throughout the length of the wire.

[Rob Strand]

I believe pre-tinned is also used when the strands are soldered together.   (All John's info rings true to me.)


Good list,
https://www.awcwire.com/conductor-materials

(They don't use the confusing pre-tinned term.)

[willienillie]

I'd never heard the term "pre-bond" until I saw this stuff at Small Bear, which I use and like.

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/24-pre-bond-50-ft-sampler/

The individual strands are tinned, but not all soldered together to make one solid core.  There seems to be something like flux or similar in the strands, it holds together after stripping instead of just fraying, I don't know what that is but I figured "pre-bond" referred to that.

There is also wire like Jim describes, stranded but all soldered together into a solid core.  Maybe tinned isn't the right word.

[anotherjim]

As per Rob's link, I'm inclined to say it is "overcoat" tinned.