ASTM B252-92(2009)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Preparation of Zinc Alloy Die Castings for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
Standard Guide for Preparation of Zinc Alloy Die Castings for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The performance and quality of electroplated or conversion-coated zinc alloy die casting depends upon the surface cleanliness and condition. Various metals are electroplated or conversion coatings are established on zinc alloys for decorative or engineering finish. The common electroplates applied are usually copper, nickel, and chromium for decorative and functional uses. The common conversion coatings applied are phosphates, chromates, and anodized coatings. Electroplated zinc die castings and conversion coatings on zinc die castings are used in many industries such as the marine, automotive, plumbing fixtures, and appliance industries.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended as an aid in establishing and maintaining a procedure for preparing zinc alloy die castings for electroplating and conversion coatings. It is primarily intended for the preparation of Alloys UNS Z33521 (AG-40A) and UNS Z35530 (AC-41A) (Specification B86) for electroplating with copper, nickel, and chromium (Specification B456).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: B252 − 92 (Reapproved2009) Endorsed by American
Electroplaters’ Society
Endorsed by National
Association of Metal Finishers
Standard Guide for
Preparation of Zinc Alloy Die Castings for Electroplating
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and Conversion Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B252; 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 Practice
1.1 This guide is intended as an aid in establishing and
3.1 The normal sequence of preparation steps is as follows:
maintaining a procedure for preparing zinc alloy die castings
(1) smoothing of parting lines; (2) smoothing of rough or
for electroplating and conversion coatings. It is primarily
defective surfaces, if necessary; (3) buffing, if necessary; (4)
intended for the preparation ofAlloys UNS Z33521 (AG-40A)
precleaning and rinsing; (5) alkaline electrocleaning and rins-
and UNS Z35530 (AC-41A) (Specification B86) for electro-
ing; (6) acid dipping and rinsing; and (7) copper striking.
plating with copper, nickel, and chromium (Specification
B456).
4. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 The performance and quality of electroplated or
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
conversion-coated zinc alloy die casting depends upon the
standard.
surface cleanliness and condition. Various metals are electro-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the plated or conversion coatings are established on zinc alloys for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the decorative or engineering finish. The common electroplates
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- applied are usually copper, nickel, and chromium for decora-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- tive and functional uses. The common conversion coatings
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. applied are phosphates, chromates, and anodized coatings.
Electroplated zinc die castings and conversion coatings on zinc
2. Referenced Documents die castings are used in many industries such as the marine,
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automotive, plumbing fixtures, and appliance industries.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B6 Specification for Zinc
5. Composition and Characteristics of Zinc Alloy Die
B86 Specification for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloy
Castings
Foundry and Die Castings
B456 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper
5.1 The alloys used in the manufacture of zinc alloy die
Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
castings are made with special high-grade zinc conforming to
Specification B6, alloyed with about 4 % of aluminum, 0.04 %
2.2 Military Standard:
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of magnesium, and either 0.25 (max) or 1.0 % copper (Alloys
MIL-S-13165C Shot Peening of Metal Parts
UNS Z33521 and UNS Z35530). Impurities such as lead,
cadmium, tin, and iron are held at or below the specified low
levels in Specification B86.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and
Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.02 on Pre
5.2 Die castings made of Alloys UNS 233521 and UNS
Treatment.
235530 are usually dense and fine grained but do not always
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as B252 – 92 (2004). have smooth surfaces. Defects sometimes encountered in the
DOI: 10.1520/B0252-92R09.
surfacelayersincludecracks,crevices(coldshut),skinblisters,
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and hemispherical pores. Burrs are usually left at parting lines
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
where fins and gates are removed by die trimming.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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5.3 Cast surfaces are frequently contaminated with parting
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. compounds applied at frequent intervals to die surfaces to
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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B252 − 92 (Reapproved2009)
facilitate the ejection of the castings and with water-soluble
oils added to quenching tanks for corrosion inhibition.
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B252 − 92 (2009)
5.4 Zinc alloy die castings are chemically active and are conveyor through successive belts or wheels
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