ASTM B558-79(2019)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating

ABSTRACT
This practice serves as a guide for the preparation of nickel alloy substrates that shall undergo electroplating processes involving adherent nickel electrodeposits. Surface cleaning may be done either by degreasing (including vapor degreasing, solvent wash, emulsion cleaning, or soak cleaning), or electrolytic alkaline cleaning. The choice of cleaning procedure to use shall be decided upon by the condition of the surface. Conversely, surface activation treatment shall be performed either by anodic-cathodic sulfuric acid treatment, acid-nickel chloride treatment, or anodic etching in a low pH watts bath. The choice of activation treatment to employ shall be determined by the condition of the surface and the specific type of nickel alloy involved.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to serve as a guide for producing adherent electrodeposits of nickel on nickel alloys. Only those methods that are well known and generally practiced are included. Methods that have been used successfully but not on a broad scale are not included. Once nickel is applied, other metals may be electroplated on the product.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2019
• ICS: 77.150.40 - Nickel and chromium products
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.02 - Pre Treatment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B558-79(2013) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B984-12(2020)e1 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Palladium-Cobalt Alloy for Engineering Use
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B689-97(2023) - Standard Specification for Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B177/B177M-11(2021) - Standard Guide for Engineering Chromium Electroplating
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B545-22 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Tin
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B766-23 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Cadmium
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B488-18 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Gold for Engineering Uses
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B679-98(2021) - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Palladium for Engineering Use
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B867-95(2018) - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Palladium-Nickel for Engineering Use
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Referred By: ASTM B832-93(2018) - Standard Guide for Electroforming with Nickel and Copper
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019

Overview

ASTM B558-79(2019): Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating establishes comprehensive guidance on the preparation of nickel alloy substrates prior to electroplating. Developed by ASTM, this internationally recognized standard outlines accepted procedures for cleaning and activating nickel alloy surfaces, ensuring optimal adhesion of nickel electrodeposits. Proper surface preparation underpins the quality and durability of electroplated coatings, making adherence to this practice critical in industrial applications involving nickel and nickel alloy components.

Key Topics

• Surface Cleaning Procedures

  • Degreasing: vapor degreasing, solvent wash, emulsion cleaning, or soak cleaning.
  • Electrolytic Alkaline Cleaning: typically the final cleaning step to remove residual dirt, grease, and oil.

• Surface Activation Methods

  • Anodic-cathodic sulfuric acid treatment.
  • Acid-nickel chloride treatment.
  • Anodic etching in a low pH Watts bath.
  • Hydrofluoric acid etching (for specific alloys).

• Selection Guidance

  • Cleaning and activation procedures must be chosen based on the condition of the substrate and the specific nickel alloy involved.
  • Reference recommendations are given for common commercial alloys in the standard’s appendix.

• Electroplating Readiness

  • Ensures surfaces are suitably prepared for subsequent application of adherent and high-quality nickel electrodeposits.
  • Highlights the possibility of multi-layer plating, starting with nickel and followed by other metals.

• Safety and Compliance

  • Users must consider safety, health, and environmental regulations when applying these practices.

Applications

ASTM B558-79(2019) is widely applied across industries that require reliable electroplated coatings for nickel alloys. Common sectors and applications include:

• Aerospace and Defense
  • Preparation of nickel alloy components for corrosion-resistant or wear-resistant coatings.
• Automotive and Transportation
  • Surface treatment of critical engine and drivetrain parts before electroplating.
• Electronics
  • Enhancing conductivity and durability of electroplated contacts and connectors.
• Energy and Power Generation
  • Preparing turbine components and heat exchangers for protective metal finishes.
• Chemical Processing Equipment
  • Ensuring tanks, piping, and valves made from nickel alloys are properly treated for electroplating to resist harsh environments.

By following ASTM B558-79(2019), manufacturers and processors can achieve consistent electroplating quality, improve adhesion, extend component lifespan, and reduce the risk of coating failure in demanding applications.

Related Standards

Organizations may benefit from using ASTM B558-79(2019) in conjunction with related standards, such as:

• ASTM B254 - Standard Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel.
• ASTM B571 - Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings.
• ASTM B656 - Standard Guide for Metallographic Identification of Nickel and Nickel Alloys.
• ISO 1456 - Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Electrodeposited coatings of nickel, nickel plus chromium, copper plus nickel, and of other metals.

Adhering to ASTM B558-79(2019) supports compliance with globally accepted surface preparation protocols, ensuring high-quality, durable electroplating on nickel-based substrates. For more information and the complete standard, consult ASTM International.

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: B558 − 79 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B558; 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 on polished surfaces if a highly finished surface is required.
Too mild a treatment may result in a sacrifice of maximum
1.1 This practice is intended to serve as a guide for
adhesion.
producing adherent electrodeposits of nickel on nickel alloys.
Only those methods that are well known and generally prac- 3.2 Anodic-Cathodic Sulfuric Acid—A 25 mass % sulfuric
acid solution, containing 166 mL of concentrated, 93 mass %
ticed are included. Methods that have been used successfully
but not on a broad scale are not included. Once nickel is sulfuric acid (density 1.83 g/mL) diluted to 1 L is used for this
etching treatment in which the alloy is first etched anodically at
applied, other metals may be electroplated on the product.
a low-current density of 2 A/dm for 10 min and then made
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
passive at 20A/dm for 2 min and finally cathodic for 2 or 3 s
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
at 20 A/dm.(Warning—Slowly add the sulfuric acid with
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
rapid stirring to the approximate amount of water required.)
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
When the initial mixture cools, dilute to exact volume. The
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
temperature of the solution should be in the range from 20 to
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
25 °C (70 to 80 °F). Chemical lead may be used for the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
electrodes. Rinsing should be used before electroplating.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 1—This activation is not suitable for barrel operation.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.3 Acid-Nickel Chloride Treatment— This procedure uses
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
an anodic treatment followed by a cathodic treatment in a
low-pH nickel chloride solution. The composition of the
2. Cleaning
solution is 240 g/Lof nickel chloride (NiCl ·6H O) and 31 mL
2 2
2.1 The following cleaning treatments may be used. The
of concentrated 31.45 mass % hydrochloric acid (density
choice of the procedure will be governed largely by the
1.16 g⁄mL). The normal procedure is to make the alloy anodic
condition of the surface.
for 2 min at 3 A/dm and then cathodic for 6 min at the same
2.1.1 Degreasing is used to remove the bulk of grease, oil,
current density. The temperature of the solution should be in
and finishing compounds that may be present on the surface.
the range from 20 to 25 °C. Nickel may be used for the
The cleaning may be vapor degreasing, solvent wash, emulsion
electrodes. Separate tanks are recommended for the anodic and
cleaning, or soak cleaning.
cathodic steps to avoid contamination of solution but a single
2.1.2 Electrolytic Alkaline Cleaning—Removal of final
tank may be used. Rinsing should be used before electroplating
traces of dirt, grease, and oil is accomplished best with
except where indicated in Table X1.1.
electrolytic alkaline cleaning. The solution may be either a
NOTE 2—Nickel anode materials containing greater than 0.01 % sulfur
proprietary cleaner or a formulated one.
are not recommended for use in acid nickel strike baths opera
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