ASTM B537-70(2019)

Standard Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to<brk/> Atmospheric Exposure

ABSTRACT
This practice covers the recommended method for rating the condition of electroplated test panels subjected to corrosive environments for test purposes. This method is used with standard-sized panels exposed on standard ASTM racks at outdoor test sites in both natural atmospheres and accelerated test conditions. This practice refers only to decorative-protective coatings that are cathodic to the substrate such as nickel/chromium or copper/nickel/chromium on steel or zinc die castings, and is not intended for use with anodic sacrificial coatings such as zinc and cadmium on steel. Any modifications needed to adapt the method to rating actual production parts are not considered here. Panels shall be assigned separate rating numbers based on the ability of the coating to protect the substrate from corrosion (protection rating), and the overall appearance of panels as affected by deterioration of the coating itself (appearance rating). Accordingly, rating numbers shall be derived from the type of defect that exists, that is: (1) protection defects, which include crater rusting, pinhole rusting, rust stains, blisters, and other defects that involve basis metal corrosion; and (2) appearance defects, which include surface pits, "crow's feet," crack patterns, surface stains, tarnishes, and other defects that detract from commercial acceptability as to appearance. Inspection should be made in the as-is condition, and defects to be taken into account are only those that can be seen with the unaided eye at normal reading distance.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a preferred method for evaluating the condition of electroplated test panels that have been exposed to corrosive environments for test purposes. It is based on experience in use of the method with standard 10- by 15-cm (4- by 6-in.) panels exposed on standard ASTM racks at outdoor test sites in natural atmospheres. It has been used also for rating similar panels that have been subjected to accelerated tests such as those covered by Practice B117, Method B287, Test Method B368, and Test Method B380. Any modifications needed to adapt the method to rating actual production parts are not considered in this practice.  
1.2 This practice refers only to decorative-protective coatings that are cathodic to the substrate, typified by nickel/chromium or copper/nickel/chromium on steel or zinc die castings. It is not intended for use with anodic sacrificial coatings such as zinc and cadmium on steel.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2019
• ICS: 25.220.40 - Metallic coatings
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.05 - Decorative Coatings

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: B537 − 70 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to
1
Atmospheric Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B537; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)
B380Test Method for Corrosion Testing of Decorative
1.1 This practice covers a preferred method for evaluating
Electrodeposited Coatings by the Corrodkote Procedure
the condition of electroplated test panels that have been
4
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
exposedtocorrosiveenvironmentsfortestpurposes.Itisbased
1
Dot charts (9 charts, 8 ⁄2 by 11 in.) (9 color photos, 3 by 5
onexperienceinuseofthemethodwithstandard10-by15-cm
in.)
(4- by 6-in.) panels exposed on standard ASTM racks at
outdoor test sites in natural atmospheres. It has been used also
3. Basis of Procedure
forratingsimilarpanelsthathavebeensubjectedtoaccelerated
3.1 The rating method described in this recommended
tests such as those covered by Practice B117, Method B287,
practice is based on the recognition that typical decorative-
Test Method B368, and Test Method B380.Any modifications
protective deposits such as nickel/chromium, with or without a
neededtoadaptthemethodtoratingactualproductionpartsare
copper undercoat, have two functions: (1) to protect the
not considered in this practice.
substrate from corrosion and thus prevent degradation of
1.2 This practice refers only to decorative-protective coat-
appearance caused by basis metal corrosion products (for
ings that are cathodic to the substrate, typified by nickel/
example, rust and rust stain); and (2) to itself maintain a
chromium or copper/nickel/chromium on steel or zinc die
satisfactoryappearance.Althoughthesefunctionsoverlap,they
castings. It is not intended for use with anodic sacrificial
can be evaluated separately, and it is frequently desirable to do
coatings such as zinc and cadmium on steel.
so. Accordingly, this practice assigns separate ratings to (1)
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
appearance as affected by corrosion of the substrate and (2)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
appearance as affected by deterioration of the coating itself.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2 The rating number assigned to the ability of the coating
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
to protect the substrate from corrosion is called the “protec-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tion” number or rating.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.3 The rating number assigned to the inspector’s judgment
2. Referenced Documents of the overall appearance of the panel, including all defects
2 caused by the exposure (Note 1), is called the “appearance”
2.1 ASTM Standards:
number or rating.
B117Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
B287Method of Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
NOTE 1—Panels that are not “perfect” even before being exposed
3
should normally be rejected (see Note 4).
(Withdrawn 1987)
B368Test Method for Copper-AcceleratedAceticAcid-Salt
3.4 The result of inspecting a panel is recorded as two
numbers separated by a slash (/), the protection number being
given first.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
3.5 In addition to recording the numerical rating of a panel,
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.05 on
the inspector should note the type(s) and severity of defect(s)
Decorative Coatings.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally
contributing to the rating. This may be done by the use of
approvedin1970.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2013asB537–70(2013).DOI:
agreed symbols for the most common defects (Appendix X1)
10.1520/B0537-70R19.
and abbreviations for degree or severity of these defects.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4
the ASTM website. Color reproductions of these photographs are available from ASTM Interna-
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on tional Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJB0537. Original adjunct produced in
www.astm.org. 1987.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B537 − 70 (2019)
4. Types of Defects 6.
...

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: B537 − 70 (Reapproved 2013) B537 − 70 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to
1
Atmospheric Exposure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B537; 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 practice covers a preferred method for evaluating the condition of electroplated test panels that have been exposed to
corrosive environments for test purposes. It is based on experience in use of the method with standard 10- by 15-cm (4- by 6-in.)
panels exposed on standard ASTM racks at outdoor test sites in natural atmospheres. It has been used also for rating similar panels
that have been subjected to accelerated tests such as those covered by Practice B117, Method B287, Test Method B368, and Test
Method B380. Any modifications needed to adapt the method to rating actual production parts are not considered in this practice.
1.2 This practice refers only to decorative-protective coatings that are cathodic to the substrate, typified by nickel/chromium or
copper/nickel/chromium on steel or zinc die castings. It is not intended for use with anodic sacrificial coatings such as zinc and
cadmium on steel.
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
3
B287 Method of Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (Withdrawn 1987)
B368 Test Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)
B380 Test Method for Corrosion Testing of Decorative Electrodeposited Coatings by the Corrodkote Procedure
4
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
1
Dot charts (9 charts, 8 ⁄2 by 11 in.) (9 color photos, 3 by 5 in.)
3. Basis of Procedure
3.1 The rating method described in this recommended practice is based on the recognition that typical decorative-protective
deposits such as nickel/chromium, with or without a copper undercoat, have two functions: (1) to protect the substrate from
corrosion and thus prevent degradation of appearance caused by basis metal corrosion products (for example, rust and rust stain);
and (2) to itself maintain a satisfactory appearance. Although these functions overlap, they can be evaluated separately, and it is
frequently desirable to do so. Accordingly, this practice assigns separate ratings to (1) appearance as affected by corrosion of the
substrate and (2) appearance as affected by deterioration of the coating itself.
3.2 The rating number assigned to the ability of the coating to protect the substrate from corrosion is called the “protection”
number or rating.
3.3 The rating number assigned to the inspector’s judgment of the overall appearance of the panel, including all defects caused
by the exposure (Note 1), is called the “appearance” number or rating.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.05 on Decorative
Coatings.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013Oct. 1, 2019. Published December 2013October 2019. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20072013
as B537 – 70 (2007).(2013). DOI: 10.1520/B0537-70R13.10.1520/B0537-70R19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Color reproductions of these photographs are available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJB0537. Original adjunct produced in 1987.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B537 − 70 (2019)
NOTE 1—Panels that are not “perfect” even before being exposed should normally be rejected (see Note 4).
3.4 The result of inspecting a panel
...