ASTM B555-86(2018)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Measurement of Electrodeposited Metallic Coating Thicknesses by Dropping Test
Standard Guide for Measurement of Electrodeposited Metallic Coating Thicknesses by Dropping Test
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The thickness of a metal coating is often critical to its performance.
4.2 This procedure is useful for an approximate determination when the best possible accuracy is not required. For more reliable determinations, the following methods are available: Test Methods B487, B499, B504, and B568.
4.3 This test assumes that the rate of dissolution of the coating by the corrosive reagent under the specified conditions is always the same.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the use of the dropping test to measure the thickness of electrodeposited zinc, cadmium, copper, and tin coatings.
Note 1: Under most circumstances this method of measuring coating thicknesses is not as reliable or as convenient to use as an appropriate coating thickness gauge (see Test Methods B499, B504, and B568).
1.2 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.
1.3 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.
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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.
Designation: B555 − 86 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Electrodeposited Metallic Coating
Thicknesses by Dropping Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B555; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Guide
1.1 This guide covers the use of the dropping test to 3.1 A dropping test consists of applying dropwise a corro-
measure the thickness of electrodeposited zinc, cadmium, sive solution, at a constant rate, to the electroplated surface,
copper, and tin coatings. and measuring the time required to penetrate the coating and
expose the substrate; this time is proportional to the coating
NOTE 1—Under most circumstances this method of measuring coating
thickness.
thicknesses is not as reliable or as convenient to use as an appropriate
coating thickness gauge (see Test Methods B499, B504, and B568).
4. Significance and Use
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The thickness of a metal coating is often critical to its
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
performance.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 This procedure is useful for an approximate determina-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion when the best possible accuracy is not required. For more
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
reliable determinations, the following methods are available:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Test Methods B487, B499, B504, and B568.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.3 This test assumes that the rate of dissolution of the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
coating by the corrosive reagent under the specified conditions
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
is always the same.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Factors Affecting the Accuracy
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The following factors will affect the accuracy of a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
coating thickness measurement made by this method:
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide
5.1.1 Cleanliness of Surface—Any foreign material on the
Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of
surface to be tested, including lacquer, grease, corrosion
Cross Section
products, and conversion coatings, will interfere with the test
B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
and must be removed. Tarnish and conversion coatings can
by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on
often be removed by mild burnishing with a soft, clean pencil
Magnetic Basis Metals
eraser.
B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metal-
5.1.2 Concentration of Test Solution—Variation from the
lic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
stated concentrations will introduce an error unless the thick-
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
ness factor is adjusted accordingly. Test solutions cannot be
by X-Ray Spectrometry
reused.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
5.1.3 Temperature—The thickness factor for a given
solution, being a function of the temperature, must be known
for the temperature at which the test is made. Specimens to be
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and
tested should be allowed to reach room temperature before
Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on Test
testing.
Methods.
5.1.4 Dropping Rate—The thickness factor is also a func-
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published August 20183. Originally
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as B555 – 86 (2013).
tionofthedroppingrate.ThethicknessfactorsgiveninSection
DOI: 10.1520/B0555-86R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Such tests were described by Hull, R. O., and Strausser, P., Monthly Review,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on American Electroplaters Society, MRAEA, Vol 22, 1935, p. 9, and by Brenner, A.,
the ASTM website. Proceedings, American Electroplaters Society, AEPPB, Vol 27, 1939, p. 204.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B555 − 86 (2018)
10 are for a dropping rate of 100 drops/min and will remain expectedtovarywithgrossvariationsinthecompositionofthe
valid for the range of 95 to 105 drops/min. coating, as might result from codeposition of an alloying
5.1.5 Solution Drainage—The thickness factors given in component. The specific effects, on the thickness factors, of
Section 10 are valid only if the test solution is rapidly drained impurities or of inclusions from brighteners or other addition
off, as from a flat surface inclined 45° from the horizontal. The agents can be appreciable. Uncertainty from these sources may
test cannot be made on a horizontal surface or at a location that be minimized by standardizing the test method against
does not permit rapid drainage. standards, prepared from the same type of plating solution, the
5.1.6 Drop Size—Variation in drop size may alter the thicknesses of which have been determined by other methods.
penetration rate. The tip of the dropping apparatus should
6. Apparatus
conform to the dimensions given in Fig. 1 and should be kept
6.1 Fig. 1 illustrates one form of apparatus used for drop-
clean.
ping tests. Equivalent apparatus are commercially available, as
5.1.7 Alloy Layer—The presence of an alloy layer at the
is a solenoid operated unit with a digital readout.
coating-substrate interface may obscure the end point and
introduce an uncertainty as to the amount of alloy included in
7. Reagents and Materials
the thickness measurement.
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent g
...
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: B555 − 86 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Electrodeposited Metallic Coating
Thicknesses by Dropping Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B555; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Guide
1.1 This guide covers the use of the dropping test to 3.1 A dropping test consists of applying dropwise a corro-
measure the thickness of electrodeposited zinc, cadmium, sive solution, at a constant rate, to the electroplated surface,
copper, and tin coatings. and measuring the time required to penetrate the coating and
expose the substrate; this time is proportional to the coating
NOTE 1—Under most circumstances this method of measuring coating
thickness.
thicknesses is not as reliable or as convenient to use as an appropriate
coating thickness gauge (see Test Methods B499, B504, and B568).
4. Significance and Use
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The thickness of a metal coating is often critical to its
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
performance.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 This procedure is useful for an approximate determina-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion when the best possible accuracy is not required. For more
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
reliable determinations, the following methods are available:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Test Methods B487, B499, B504, and B568.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.3 This test assumes that the rate of dissolution of the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
coating by the corrosive reagent under the specified conditions
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
is always the same.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Factors Affecting the Accuracy
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The following factors will affect the accuracy of a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
coating thickness measurement made by this method:
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide
5.1.1 Cleanliness of Surface—Any foreign material on the
Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of
surface to be tested, including lacquer, grease, corrosion
Cross Section
products, and conversion coatings, will interfere with the test
B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
and must be removed. Tarnish and conversion coatings can
by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on
often be removed by mild burnishing with a soft, clean pencil
Magnetic Basis Metals
eraser.
B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metal-
5.1.2 Concentration of Test Solution—Variation from the
lic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
stated concentrations will introduce an error unless the thick-
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
ness factor is adjusted accordingly. Test solutions cannot be
by X-Ray Spectrometry
reused.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
5.1.3 Temperature—The thickness factor for a given
solution, being a function of the temperature, must be known
for the temperature at which the test is made. Specimens to be
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and
tested should be allowed to reach room temperature before
Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on Test
testing.
Methods.
5.1.4 Dropping Rate—The thickness factor is also a func-
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published August 20183. Originally
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as B555 – 86 (2013). tion of the dropping rate. The thickness factors given in Section
DOI: 10.1520/B0555-86R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Such tests were described by Hull, R. O., and Strausser, P., Monthly Review,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on American Electroplaters Society, MRAEA, Vol 22, 1935, p. 9, and by Brenner, A.,
the ASTM website. Proceedings, American Electroplaters Society, AEPPB, Vol 27, 1939, p. 204.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B555 − 86 (2018)
10 are for a dropping rate of 100 drops/min and will remain expected to vary with gross variations in the composition of the
valid for the range of 95 to 105 drops/min. coating, as might result from codeposition of an alloying
5.1.5 Solution Drainage—The thickness factors given in component. The specific effects, on the thickness factors, of
Section 10 are valid only if the test solution is rapidly drained impurities or of inclusions from brighteners or other addition
off, as from a flat surface inclined 45° from the horizontal. The agents can be appreciable. Uncertainty from these sources may
test cannot be made on a horizontal surface or at a location that be minimized by standardizing the test method against
does not permit rapid drainage. standards, prepared from the same type of plating solution, the
5.1.6 Drop Size—Variation in drop size may alter the thicknesses of which have been determined by other methods.
penetration rate. The tip of the dropping apparatus should
6. Apparatus
conform to the dimensions given in Fig. 1 and should be kept
6.1 Fig. 1 illustrates one form of apparatus used for drop-
clean.
ping tests. Equivalent apparatus are commercially available, as
5.1.7 Alloy Layer—The presence of an alloy layer at the
is a solenoid operated unit with a digital readout.
coating-substrate interface may obscure the end point and
introduce an uncertainty as to the amount of alloy included in
7. Reagents and Materials
the thickness measurement.
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
5.1.8 Detection of End Point—The end point (the time at
used in the pr
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B555 − 86 (Reapproved 2013) B555 − 86 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Electrodeposited Metallic Coating
Thicknesses by Dropping Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B555; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers the use of the dropping test to measure the thickness of electrodeposited zinc, cadmium, copper, and tin
coatings.
NOTE 1—Under most circumstances this method of measuring coating thicknesses is not as reliable or as convenient to use as an appropriate coating
thickness gauge (see Test Methods B499, B504, and B568).
1.2 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section
B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on Magnetic Basis
Metals
B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spectrometry
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Summary of Guide
3.1 A dropping test consists of applying dropwise a corrosive solution, at a constant rate, to the electroplated surface, and
measuring the time required to penetrate the coating and expose the substrate; this time is proportional to the coating thickness.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The thickness of a metal coating is often critical to its performance.
4.2 This procedure is useful for an approximate determination when the best possible accuracy is not required. For more reliable
determinations, the following methods are available: Test Methods B487, B499, B504, and B568.
4.3 This test assumes that the rate of dissolution of the coating by the corrosive reagent under the specified conditions is always
the same.
5. Factors Affecting the Accuracy
5.1 The following factors will affect the accuracy of a coating thickness measurement made by this method:
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on Test
Methods.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013Aug. 1, 2018. Published December 2013August 20183. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20072013
as B555 – 86 (2007).(2013). DOI: 10.1520/B0555-86R13.10.1520/B0555-86R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Such tests were described by Hull, R. O., and Strausser, P., Monthly Review, American Electroplaters Society, MRAEA, Vol 22, 1935, p. 9, and by Brenner, A.,
Proceedings, American Electroplaters Society, AEPPB, Vol 27, 1939, p. 204.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B555 − 86 (2018)
5.1.1 Cleanliness of Surface—Any foreign material on the surface to be tested, including lacquer, grease, corrosion products,
and conversion coatings, will interfere with the test and must be removed. Tarnish and conversion coatings can often be removed
by mild burnishing with a soft, clean pencil eraser.
5.1.2 Concentration of Test Solution—Variation from the stated concentrations will introduce an error unless the thickness factor
is adjusted accordingly. Test solutions cannot be reused.
5.1.3 Temperature—The thickness factor for a given solution, being a function of the temperature, must be known for the
temperature at which the test is made. Specimens to be tested should be allowed to reach room temperature before testing.
5.1.4 Dropping Rate—The thickness factor is also a function of the dropping rate. The thickness factors given in Section 10 are
for a dropping rate of 100 drops/min and will remain valid for the range of 95 to 105 drops/min.
5.1.5 Solution Drainage—The thickness factors given in Section 10 are valid only if the test solution is rapidly drained off, as
from a flat surface inclined 45° from the horizontal. The test cannot be made on a horizontal surface or at a location that does not
permit rapid drainage.
5.1.6 Drop Size—Variation in drop size may alter the penetration rate. The tip of the dropping apparatus should conform to the
dimensions given in Fig. 1 and should be kept clean.
5.1.7 Alloy Layer—The presence of an alloy layer at the coating-substrate interface may obscure the end point and introduce
an uncertainty as to the amount of alloy included in the thickness measurement.
5.1.8 Detection of End Point—The end point (the time at which the coating has been penetrated and the substrate exposed) is
characterized by a change in the appearance of the surface on which drops are falling. This is a matter of personal judgment and
may not always be clearly defined, depending upon the coating-substrate combination and the extent of alloying, if any. Such errors
may be minimized by standardizing the test method with identical specimens with a known coating thickness determined by other
means.
5.1.9 Composition of Coating—The dropping tests described in this document are intended for use on nominally “pure”
coatings.
...
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