ASTM B604-91(2019)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics
Standard Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics
ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the requirements for several grades and types of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chromium coatings on plateable plastic substrates where appearance, durability and resistance to thermal cycling are important to service performance. The coatings covered here are applied subsequent to the application of metal film by autocatalytic deposition or of any strike coatings after autocatalytic deposition. Each coating shall be designated a classification code, which comprises of the following numbers and symbols: service condition number, which indicates the severity of exposure for which the coating is intended; coating classification number, which contains the chemical symbol of each metallic element that comprises the coating, and their corresponding thickness; and symbols for expressing the type of coating. The coatings shall be sampled, tested, and conform to specified requirements as to appearance (visual defects), ductility, minimum thickness (inspected either by coulometric, microscopical, or beta backscatter methods), corrosion and thermal cycling resistance, adhesion, sulfur content, density, and discontinuities.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for several grades and types of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chromium coatings on plateable plastic substrates where appearance, durability and resistance to thermal cycling are important to service performance. Five grades of coatings are provided to correlate with the service conditions under which each is expected to provide satisfactory performance.
1.2 This specification covers the requirements for coatings applied subsequent to the application of metal film by autocatalytic deposition or subsequent to the application of any strike coatings after autocatalytic deposition.
1.3 The following caveat pertains only to the test method portions of Section 6, Annex A1, and Appendix X2, Appendix X3, and Appendix X4 of this specification. 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.
1.4 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.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
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:B604 −91 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel
Plus Chromium on Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B604; 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 Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of
Cross Section
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for several
B489 Practice for Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodepos-
grades and types of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus
ited and Autocatalytically Deposited Metal Coatings on
chromium coatings on plateable plastic substrates where
Metals
appearance, durability and resistance to thermal cycling are
B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metal-
important to service performance. Five grades of coatings are
lic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
provided to correlate with the service conditions under which
B530 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
each is expected to provide satisfactory performance.
by the Magnetic Method: Electrodeposited Nickel Coat-
1.2 This specification covers the requirements for coatings
ings on Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Substrates
applied subsequent to the application of metal film by auto-
B532 Specification for Appearance of Electroplated Plastic
catalytic deposition or subsequent to the application of any
Surfaces
strike coatings after autocatalytic deposition.
B533 Test Method for Peel Strength of Metal Electroplated
1.3 The following caveat pertains only to the test method
Plastics
portions of Section 6, AnnexA1, and Appendix X2, Appendix
B556 Guide for Measurement of Thin Chromium Coatings
X3, and Appendix X4 of this specification. This standard does
by Spot Test
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
B567 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
by the Beta Backscatter Method
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environ-
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
mental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
by X-Ray Spectrometry
limitations prior to use.
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Inorganic Coatings
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
B659 Guide for Measuring Thickness of Metallic and Inor-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ganic Coatings
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
B727 Practice for Preparation of Plastics Materials for Elec-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
troplating
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
B764 Test Method for Simultaneous Thickness and Elec-
2. Referenced Documents
trode Potential Determination of Individual Layers in
Multilayer Nickel Deposit (STEP Test)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
B368 Test Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide
Related Materials
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on
3. Terminology
Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B08.05 on Decorative Coatings.
3.1 Definitions:
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally
3.1.1 significant surfaces—those surfaces normally visible
approvedin1975.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2015asB604 – 91(2015).DOI:
10.1520/B0604-91R19.
(directlyorbyreflection)thatareessentialtotheappearanceor
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
serviceability of the article when assembled in normal position
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
or that can be the source of corrosion products that deface
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. visible surfaces on the assembled article.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B604−91 (2019)
TABLE 1 Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium Coatings on
4. Classification
A
Plastic
4.1 Five grades of coatings designated by service condition
Service
Equivalent Nickel Thickness
numbers and several types of coatings defined by classification
Condition Classification Number
µm mils (approx.)
Number
numbers are covered by this specification.
SC 5 PL/Cu15a Ni30d Cr mc 30 1.2
4.2 Service Condition Number:
PL/Cu15a Ni30d Cr mp 30 1.2
SC 4 PL/Cu15a Ni30d Cr r 30 1.2
4.2.1 The service condition number indicates the severity of
PL/Cu15a Ni25d Cr mc 25 1.0
exposure for which the grade of coating is intended, in
PL/Cu15a Ni25d Cr mp 25 1.0
accordance with the following scale:
SC 3 PL/Cu15a Ni25d Cr r 25 1.0
PL/Cu15a Ni20d Cr mc 20 0.8
SC5—extended very severe
PL/Cu15a Ni20d Cr mp 20 0.8
SC4—very severe
SC 2 PL/Cu15a Ni15b Cr r 15 0.6
SC3—severe
PL/Cu15a Ni10b Cr mc 10 0.4
PL/Cu15a Ni10b Cr mp 10 0.4
SC2—moderate
SC 1 PL/Cu15a Ni7b Cr r 7 0.3
SC1—mild
A
The minimum copper thickness may be greater in some applications to meet
4.2.2 Service condition numbers are further defined in
thermal cycling and other requirements.
AppendixX1wheretheyarerelatedtotheseverityofexposure
encountered by electroplated articles.
4.3 Coating Classification Number— The coating classifi-
cation number is a means of specifying the types and thick-
isquotedandnottheclassificationnumber,themanufactureris
nesses of coatings appropriate for each grade and is comprised
free to supply any of the types of coatings designated by the
of the following:
classification number corresponding to the service condition
4.3.1 The symbol for the substrate (PL) indicating it is
number, as given in Table 1. On request, the manufacturer
plateable plastic, followed by a slash mark,
shall inform the purchaser of the classification number of the
4.3.2 The chemical symbol for copper (Cu),
coating applied.
4.3.3 Anumbergivingtheminimumthicknessofthecopper
5.1.3 The appearance required, for example, bright, dull, or
coating in micrometres,
satin. Alternatively, samples showing the required finish or
4.3.4 A lower-case letter designating the type of copper
range of finish shall be supplied or approved by the purchaser.
electrodeposit (see 4.4 and 6.3.1),
5.1.4 The significant surfaces, to be indicated on drawings
4.3.5 The chemical symbol for nickel (Ni),
of the parts, or by the provision of suitably marked specimens
4.3.6 Anumber giving the minimum thickness of the nickel
(see 3.1).
in micrometres,
5.1.5 The positions on significant surfaces for rack or
4.3.7 A lower-case letter designating the type of nickel
contact marks, where such marks are unavoidable (see 6.1.1).
electrodeposit (see 4.4 and 6.3.2),
5.1.6 The extent to which defects shall be tolerated on
4.3.8 The chemical symbol for chromium (Cr), and
nonsignificant surfaces.
4.3.9 A lower-case letter or letters designating the type of
5.1.7 The ductility if other than the standard value (see 6.4).
chromium (see 4.4 and 6.3.3).
5.1.8 The extent of tolerable surface deterioration after
4.4 Symbols for Expressing Classification—The following
corrosion testing (see 6.6.3).
lower-case letters shall be used in coating classification num-
5.1.9 Sampling methods and acceptance levels (See Section
bers to describe the types of coatings:
7).
a — ductile copper deposited from acid-type baths
5.1.10 Whether thermal cycle and corrosion testing shall be
b — single-layer nickel deposited in the fully-bright condition
conducted individually on separate specimens as described in
d — double- or triple-layer nickel coatings
6.6 and 6.7, or sequentially using the same specimens as
r — regular (that is, conventional) chromium
mc — microcracked chromium
described in 6.8, and whether the specimens shall be un-
mp — microporous chromium
mounted or mounted in a manner simulating assembly when
4.5 Example of Complete Classification Number—Acoating
these tests are conducted.
onplasticcomprising15µmminimumductileacidcopperplus
5.2 The minimum values of the electrochemical potential
15 µm minimum double-layer nickel plus 0.25 µm minimum
differences between individual nickel layers as measured in
microporous chromium has the classification number: PL/
accordance with Test Method B764 within the limits given in
Cu15a Ni15d Cr mp.
6.10.
5. Ordering Information
6. Product Requirements
5.1 Whenorderingarticlestobeelectroplatedinaccordance
6.1 Visual Defects:
with this standard, the purchaser shall state the following:
5.1.1 ASTM designation number.
5.1.2 Either the classification number of the specific coating
“Performance of Decorative Electrodeposited Copper-Nickel-Chromium Coat-
required (see 4.3) or the substrate material and the service
ings on Plastics” is a final report on programs conducted by ASTM and ASEP to
condition number denoting the severity of the conditions it is
evaluate the coating classification numbers. A copy of the report has been filed at
required to withstand (see 4.2). If the service condition number ASTM Headquarters as RR:B08-1003.
B604−91 (2019)
TABLE 2 Summary of the Requirements for Double- and Triple-
6.1.1 The significant surfaces of the electroplated articles
Layer Nickel Coatings
shall be free of visible defects, such as blisters, pits, roughness,
Thickness Relative to Total
cracks, and uncoated areas, and shall not be stained or
Layer Type of Specific
Nickel Thickness
Sulfur Content
discolored. On articles where a visible contact mark is
Nickel Elongation
Double-Layer Triple-Layer
unavoidable, its position shall be specified by the purchaser.
Bottom(s) 8 % less than equal to or equal to or
The electroplated article shall be free of damage and clean.
0.005 % greater than greater than
6.1.2 Defects in the surface of the molded plastic, such as 50 % 50 %
Middle (high-sulfur . greater than . 10 % max
cold shots, ejection marks, flash, gate marks, parting lines,
(b)) 0.15 mass %
splay and others, may adversely affect the appearance and
Top (b) . greater than equal to or equal to or
performance of coatings applied thereto despite the observance 0.04 % greater than greater than
40 % 40 %
of the best electroplating practice.Accordingly, the electroplat-
A B
Test Method Appendix X3 .
er’s responsibility for defects in the coating resulting from the
A
See Note 2 in the text of this specification.
plastic-molding operation shall be waived (Note 1). B
See Note 3 in the text of this specification.
NOTE1—Tominimizeproblemsofthistype,thespecificationscovering
the items to be electroplated should contain appropriate limitations on the
extent of surface defects. Specification B532 distinguishes between
as the electrochemical relationships between the individual layers can be
defects that arise primarily in molding and those that arise in electroplat-
measured by the STEP test in accordance with Test Method B764.
ing operations.
6.4 Ductility—The minimum value of the ductility shall be
6.2 Pretreatments—Proper preparatory procedures are es-
8 % for copper and for nickel when tested by the method given
sential for satisfactory performance of electrodeposited coat-
in Appendix X3. Greater ductility may be requested but shall
ings on plastics. Procedures described in PracticeB727 may be
be subject to agreement between the purchaser and the manu-
followed. In the case of patented processes, the instructions
facturer.
provided by the suppliers of those processes shall be followed.
6.5 Coating Thickness:
6.3 Process and Coating Requirements—Following prepa-
6.5.1 The minimum coating thickness shall be as designated
ratory operations, plastic articles are placed in electroplating
by the coating classification number.
solutions as required to produce the composite coating de-
6.5.2 Itisrecognizedthatrequirementsmayexistforthicker
scribed by the specific coating classification number or by
coatings than are covered by this specification.
coating one of the specified classification numbers listed in
6.5.3 The thickness of a coating and its various layers shall
Table 1 appropriate for the specified service condition number.
be measured at points on the significant surfaces (see 4.2 and
6.3.1 Type of Copper—Ductile copper shall be deposited
Note 4.)
from acid-type baths containing organic additives that promote
NOTE 4—When significant surfaces are involved on which the specified
leveling by the copper deposit.
thickness of deposit cannot readily be controlled, such as threads, holes,
6.3.2 Type of Nickel—For double- or triple-layer nickel
deep recesses, bases of angles, and similar areas, the purchaser and the
coatings, the bottom layer shall contain less than 0.005 mass % manufacturer should recognize the necessity for either thicker deposits on
the more accessible surfaces or for special racking. Special racks may
sulfur (Note 2). The top layer shall contain greater than 0.04
involve the use of conforming, auxiliary, or bipolar electrodes, or
mass % sulfur (Note 3), and its thickness shall be not less than
nonconducting shields.
10 % of the total nickel thickness. In double-layer coatings, the
6.5.3.1 The coulometric method described in Test Method
thickness of the bottom layer shall be not less than 60 % of the
B504 may be used to measure thickness of the chromium, the
total nickel thickness. In triple-layer coatings, the bottom layer
total thickness of the nickel, and the thickness of the copper.
shall be not less than 50 % nor more than 70 %. If there are
The STEP test, Test Method B764, which is similar to the
three layers, the intermediate layer shall contain not less than
coulometric method, may be used to determine the thicknesses
0.15 mass % sulfur and shall not exceed 10 % of the total
of individual layers of nickel in a multilayer coating.
nickel thickness. These requirements for multilayer nickel
6.5.3.2 The microscopical method described inTest Method
coatings are summarized in Table 2.
B487 may be used to measure the thickness of each nickel
6.3.3 Thickness of Chromium Deposit—The minimum per-
layer and of the copper layer.
missiblethicknessofthechromiumdepositshallbe0.25µmon
6.5.3.3 The beta backscatter method describ
...
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