ASTM B253-11

Standard Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Various metals are deposited on aluminum alloys to obtain a decorative or engineering finish. The electroplates applied are usually chromium, nickel, copper, brass, silver, tin, lead, cadmium, zinc, gold, and combinations of these. Silver, tin, or gold is applied to electrical equipment to decrease contact resistance or to improve surface conductivity; brass, copper, nickel, or tin for assembly by soft soldering; chromium to reduce friction and obtain increased resistance to wear; zinc for threaded parts where organic lubricants are not permissible; tin or lead is frequently employed to reduce friction on bearing surfaces. Nickel plus chromium or copper plus nickel plus chromium is used in decorative applications. Nickel plus brass plus lacquer or copper plus nickel plus brass plus lacquer is also used for decorative finishes, sometimes with the brass oxidized and relieved in various ways.
Electroless nickel may be applied as a barrier layer prior to other deposits, or for engineering purposes.
The preparation of aluminum and aluminum alloy mandrels for electroforming is described in Practice .
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers cleaning and conditioning treatments used before metal deposition (Section 5), and immersion deposit/strike procedures (Section 6) that enhance the adhesion of metals that are subsequently applied to aluminum products by electrodeposition or by autocatalytic chemical reduction.
1.2 The following immersion deposit/strike procedures are covered:
1.2.1 Zinc immersion with optional copper strike (6.3).
1.2.2 Zinc immersion with neutral nickel strike (6.4).
1.2.3 Zinc immersion with acetate-buffered, nickel glycolate strike (6.5).
1.2.4 Zinc immersion with acid or alkaline electroless nickel strike.
1.2.5 Tin immersion with bronze strike (6.6).
1.3 From the processing point of view, these procedures are expected to give deposits on aluminum alloys that are approximately equivalent with respect to adherence. Corrosion performance is affected by many factors, however, including the procedure used to prepare the aluminum alloy for electroplating.  
1.4 This guide is intended to aid electroplaters in preparing aluminum and its alloys for electroplating.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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. For specific precautionary statements see Section 7 and Appendix X1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2011
• ICS: 25.220.10 - Surface preparation
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.02 - Pre Treatment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B253-87(2010) - Standard Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B832-93(2018) - Standard Guide for Electroforming with Nickel and Copper
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B689-97(2023) - Standard Specification for Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B904-00(2021) - Standard Specification for Autocatalytic Nickel over Autocatalytic Copper for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B317/B317M-07(2015)e1 - Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bar, Rod, Tube, Pipe, Structural Profiles, and Profiles for Electrical Purposes (Bus Conductor)
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B456-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus<brk/> Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B999-15(2022) - Standard Specification for Titanium and Titanium Alloys Plating, Electrodeposited Coatings of Titanium and Titanium Alloys on Conductive and Non-Conductive Substrate
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B700-20 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Silver for Engineering Use
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B905-00(2021) - Standard Test Methods for Assessing the Adhesion of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings by the Mechanized Tape Test
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B488-18 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Gold for Engineering Uses
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B177/B177M-11(2021) - Standard Guide for Engineering Chromium Electroplating
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B766-23 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Cadmium
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011

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: B253 − 11
Standard Guide for
1
Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B253; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This guide covers cleaning and conditioning treatments
B85 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings
used before metal deposition (Section 5), and immersion
B179 Specification for Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and Mol-
deposit/strike procedures (Section 6) that enhance the adhesion
ten Forms for Castings from All Casting Processes
of metals that are subsequently applied to aluminum products
B209 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy
by electrodeposition or by autocatalytic chemical reduction.
Sheet and Plate
1.2 The following immersion deposit/strike procedures are
B209M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy
covered:
Sheet and Plate (Metric)
1.2.1 Zinc immersion with optional copper strike (6.3).
B221 Specification forAluminum andAluminum-Alloy Ex-
1.2.2 Zinc immersion with neutral nickel strike (6.4).
truded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
B221M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy
1.2.3 Zinc immersion with acetate-buffered, nickel glyco-
Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes (Metric)
late strike (6.5).
B322 Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating
1.2.4 Zinc immersion with acid or alkaline electroless
B432 Specification for Copper and CopperAlloy Clad Steel
nickel strike.
Plate
1.2.5 Tin immersion with bronze strike (6.6).
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
1.3 From the processing point of view, these procedures are
Unified Numbering System (UNS)
expected to give deposits on aluminum alloys that are approxi-
mately equivalent with respect to adherence. Corrosion perfor- 3. Significance and Use
mance is affected by many factors, however, including the
3.1 Various metals are deposited on aluminum alloys to
procedure used to prepare the aluminum alloy for electroplat-
obtain a decorative or engineering finish. The electroplates
ing.
applied are usually chromium, nickel, copper, brass, silver, tin,
lead, cadmium, zinc, gold, and combinations of these. Silver,
1.4 This guide is intended to aid electroplaters in preparing
tin, or gold is applied to electrical equipment to decrease
aluminum and its alloys for electroplating.
contact resistance or to improve surface conductivity; brass,
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
copper, nickel, or tin for assembly by soft soldering; chromium
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
to reduce friction and obtain increased resistance to wear; zinc
standard.
forthreadedpartswhereorganiclubricantsarenotpermissible;
tin or lead is frequently employed to reduce friction on bearing
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
surfaces. Nickel plus chromium or copper plus nickel plus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
chromium is used in decorative applications. Nickel plus brass
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
plus lacquer or copper plus nickel plus brass plus lacquer is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
also used for decorative finishes, sometimes with the brass
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
oxidized and relieved in various ways.
precautionary statements see Section 7 and Appendix X1.
3.1.1 Electroless nickel may be applied as a barrier layer
prior to other deposits, or for engineering purposes.
1
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
2
Treatment. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as B253 – 87 (2010). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/B0253-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B253 − 11
3.2 The preparation of aluminum and aluminum alloy man- or acidic soak cleaners are used to remove gross soils. Also
drels for electroforming is described i
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:B253– 87(Reapproved 2010) Designation:B253– 11
Standard Guide for
1
Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B253; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers cleaning and conditioning treatments used before metal deposition (Section 5), and immersion
deposit/strike procedures (Section 6) that enhance the adhesion of metals that are subsequently applied to aluminum products by
electrodeposition or by autocatalytic chemical reduction.
1.2 The following immersion deposit/strike procedures are covered:
1.2.1 Zinc immersion with optional copper strike (6.3).
1.2.2 Zinc immersion with neutral nickel strike (6.4).
1.2.3 Zinc immersion with acetate-buffered, nickel glycolate strike (6.5).
1.2.4 Zinc immersion with acid or alkaline electroless nickel strike.
1.2.5 Tin immersion with bronze strike (6.6).
1.3 From the processing point of view, these procedures are expected to give deposits on aluminum alloys that are
approximately equivalent with respect to adherence. Corrosion performance is affected by many factors, however, including the
procedure used to prepare the aluminum alloy for electroplating.
1.4 This guide is intended to aid electroplaters in preparing aluminum and its alloys for electroplating.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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. For specific precautionary statements see Section 7 and Appendix X1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B85 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings
B179 Specification for Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and Molten Forms for Castings from All Casting Processes
B209 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
B209M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate (Metric)
B221 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
B221M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes (Metric)
B322 Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating
3
B432 Practice for Processing of Mandrels for Electroforming
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Various metals are deposited on aluminum alloys to obtain a decorative or engineering finish. The electroplates applied are
usually chromium, nickel, copper, brass, silver, tin, lead, cadmium, zinc, gold, and combinations of these. Silver, tin, or gold is
applied to electrical equipment to decrease contact resistance or to improve surface conductivity; brass, copper, nickel, or tin for
assembly by soft soldering; chromium to reduce friction and obtain increased resistance to wear; zinc for threaded parts where
1
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
Treatment.
´1
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as B253–87 (2005) . DOI:
10.1520/B0253-87R10.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as B253 – 87 (2010). DOI:
10.1520/B0253-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B253– 11
organic lubricants are not permissible; tin or lead is frequently employed to reduce friction on bearing surfaces. Nickel plus
chromium or copper plus nickel plus chro
...