ASTM B689-97(2008)

Standard Specification for Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the requirements for electroplated nickel coatings applied to metal products for engineering applications (for example, for use as a buildup for mismachined or worn parts), for electronics applications (including as underplates in contacts or interconnections), and in certain joining applications. Coatings shall be available in any one of the following types: Type 1, coatings electroplated from solutions not containing hardeners, brighteners, or stress control additives; Type 2, electrodeposits used at moderate temperatures, and contain sulfur or other codeposited elements or compounds that are present to increase the hardness, refine grain structure, or control internal stress; and Type 3, electroplates containing dispersed submicron particles such as silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, and aluminum oxide that are present to increase hardness and wear resistance at specified temperatures. Metal parts shall undergo pre- and post-coating treatments to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement, and peening. Coatings shall be sampled, tested, and conform accordingly to specified requirements as to appearance, thickness (measured either destructively by microscopical or coulometric method, or nondestructively by magnetic or X-ray method), adhesion (examined either by bend, file, heat and quench, or push test), porosity (assessed either by hot water, ferroxyl, or flowers of sulfur test), workmanship, and hydrogen embrittlement relief.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for electroplated nickel coatings applied to metal products for engineering applications, for example, for use as a buildup for mismachined or worn parts, for electronic applications, including as underplates in contacts or interconnections, and in certain joining applications.
1.2 Electroplating of nickel for engineering applications (Note 1) requires technical considerations significantly different from decorative applications because the following functional properties are important:
1.2.1 Hardness, strength, and ductility,
1.2.2 Wear resistance,
1.2.3 Load bearing characteristics,
1.2.4 Corrosion resistance,
1.2.5 Heat scaling resistance,
1.2.6 Fretting resistance, and
1.2.7 Fatigue resistance.
Note 1—Functional electroplated nickel coatings usually contain about 99 % nickel, and are most frequently electrodeposited from a Watts nickel bath or a nickel sulfamate bath. Typical mechanical properties of nickel electroplated from these baths, and the combined effect of bath operation and solution composition variables on the mechanical properties of the electrodeposit are given in Guide B 832. When electroplated nickel is required to have higher hardnesses, greater wear resistance, certain residual stress values and certain leveling characteristics, sulfur and other substances are incorporated in the nickel deposit through the use of certain addition agents in the electroplating solution. For the effect of such additives, see Section 4 and Annex A3. Cobalt salts are sometimes added to the plating solution to produce harder nickel alloy deposits.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2008
• ICS: 25.220.40 - Metallic coatings
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.03 - Engineering Coatings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM B689-97(2003) - Standard Specification for Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM B689-97(2013) - Standard Specification for Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2080-23 - Standard Specification for Cold-Expansion Fittings with Metal Compression-Sleeves for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe and SDR9 Polyethylene of Raised Temperature (PE-RT) Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B679-98(2021) - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Palladium for Engineering Use
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B866-95(2018) - Standard Test Method for Gross Defects and Mechanical Damage in Metallic Coatings by Polysulfide Immersion
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B877-96(2018) - Standard Test Method for Gross Defects and Mechanical Damage in Metallic Coatings by the Phosphomolybdic Acid (PMA) Method
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B765-03(2018) - Standard Guide for Selection of Porosity and Gross Defect Tests for Electrodeposits and Related Metallic Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B851-04(2020) - Standard Specification for Automated Controlled Shot Peening of Metallic Articles Prior to Nickel, Autocatalytic Nickel, or Chromium Plating, or as Final Finish
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B984-12(2020)e1 - Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Palladium-Cobalt Alloy for Engineering Use
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F1370-92(2019)e1 - Standard Specification for Pressure-Reducing Valves for Water Systems, Shipboard
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008

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:B689 −97(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Specification for
Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B689; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for electro-
B183 Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for
plated nickel coatings applied to metal products for engineer-
Electroplating
ing applications, for example, for use as a buildup for misma-
B242 Guide for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for Elec-
chined or worn parts, for electronic applications, including as
troplating
underplates in contacts or interconnections, and in certain
B252 Guide for Preparation of Zinc Alloy Die Castings for
joining applications.
Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
1.2 Electroplating of nickel for engineering applications
B253 Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Elec-
(Note 1) requires technical considerations significantly differ-
troplating
ent from decorative applications because the following func-
B254 Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on
tional properties are important:
Stainless Steel
1.2.1 Hardness, strength, and ductility,
B281 Practice for Preparation of Copper and Copper-Base
1.2.2 Wear resistance,
Alloys for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
1.2.3 Load bearing characteristics,
B320 Practice for Preparation of Iron Castings for Electro-
plating
1.2.4 Corrosion resistance,
B322 Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating
1.2.5 Heat scaling resistance,
B343 Practice for Preparation of Nickel for Electroplating
1.2.6 Fretting resistance, and
with Nickel
1.2.7 Fatigue resistance.
B374 Terminology Relating to Electroplating
NOTE 1—Functional electroplated nickel coatings usually contain about
B480 Guide for Preparation of Magnesium and Magnesium
99 % nickel, and are most frequently electrodeposited from aWatts nickel
Alloys for Electroplating
bath or a nickel sulfamate bath. Typical mechanical properties of nickel
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide
electroplated from these baths, and the combined effect of bath operation
Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of
and solution composition variables on the mechanical properties of the
Cross Section
electrodeposit are given in Guide B832. When electroplated nickel is
required to have higher hardnesses, greater wear resistance, certain
B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
residual stress values and certain leveling characteristics, sulfur and other
by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on
substancesareincorporatedinthenickeldepositthroughtheuseofcertain
Magnetic Basis Metals
addition agents in the electroplating solution. For the effect of such
B507 Practice for Design of Articles to Be Electroplated on
additives, see Section 4 and AnnexA3. Cobalt salts are sometimes added
Racks
to the plating solution to produce harder nickel alloy deposits.
B530 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
by the Magnetic Method: Electrodeposited Nickel Coat-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ings on Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Substrates
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
B558 Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
plating
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
by X-Ray Spectrometry
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on
Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B08.03 on Engineering Coatings. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as B689 – 97 (2003). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/B0689-97R08. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B689−97 (2008)
B571 Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic 4.1.1 Type 1—Nickel electroplated from solutions not con-
Coatings taining hardeners, brighteners, or stress control additives.
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and
4.1.2 Type 2—Nickelelectrodepositsusedatmoderatetem-
Inorganic Coatings
peratures and containing sulfur or other codeposited elements
B697 Guide for Selection of Sampling Plans for Inspection
or compounds that are present to increase the hardness, to
of Electrodeposited Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
refine the grain structure, or to control the internal stress of the
B765 GuideforSelectionofPorosityandGrossDefectTests
electrodeposited nickel.
for Electrodeposits and Related Metallic Coatings
4.1.3 Type 3—Electrodeposited nickel containing dispersed
B809 Test Method for Porosity in Metallic Coatings by
submicron particles, such as silicon carbide, tungsten carbide,
Humid Sulfur Vapor (“Flowers-of-Sulfur”)
and aluminum oxide that are present to increase hardness and
B832 Guide for Electroforming with Nickel and Copper
wear resistance at temperatures above 325°C (618°F).
B849 Specification for Pre-Treatments of Iron or Steel for
NOTE 2—Good adhesion of electroplated nickel to stainless steels and
Reducing Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement
high alloy steels usually requires a preliminary strike of electrodeposited
B850 GuideforPost-CoatingTreatmentsofSteelforReduc-
nickel. The recommended practices for the preparation of and electroplat-
ing the Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement
ing on stainless steels and nickel alloys are given in Practices B254 and
B851 Specification for Automated Controlled Shot Peening
B558, respectively.
of MetallicArticles Prior to Nickel,Autocatalytic Nickel,
4.2 Thickness Classification—The electroplated nickel
or Chromium Plating, or as Final Finish
thickness, in view of the wide variety for industrial uses, shall
D762 Method of Test for Hot Extraction ofAsphaltic Mate-
be specified according to the following classes (Note 3):
rials and Recovery of Bitumen by the Modified Abson
3 Class Minimum Nickel Thickness, µm
Procedure (Withdrawn 1965)
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
25 25
50 50
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
100 100
F519 Test Method for Mechanical Hydrogen Embrittlement
200 200
Evaluation of Plating/Coating Processes and Service En-
X thickness as specified
vironments
NOTE 3—There is no technical limit to the nickel thickness that can be
2.2 Military Standards:
electroplated.There are practical limits to nickel thickness and uniformity
MIL-R-81841 Rotary Flap Peening of Metal Parts
ofthicknessdistributioncausedbythesizeandgeometricconfigurationof
the parts. (See 3.1.)
MIL-S-13165 Shot Peening of Metal Parts
MIL-W-81840 Rotary Flap Peening Wheels
5. Ordering Information
3. Terminology
5.1 The buyer shall supply the following information to the
3.1 Definitions:
seller in either the purchase order or engineering drawings,
3.1.1 significant surfaces—those surfaces normally visible
marked samples, or other governing documents.
(directlyorbyreflection)thatareessentialtotheappearanceor
5.1.1 Title, ASTM designation number, and year of the
serviceabilityofthearticlewhenassembledinnormalposition;
standard.
or that can be the source of corrosion products that deface
5.1.2 Classificationtypeandthicknessclassificationofelec-
visible surfaces on the assembled article. When necessary, the
troplated nickel to be applied (see 4.1 and 4.2).
significant surfaces shall be indicated on the drawing for the
5.1.3 Significant surfaces (see 3.1).
article, or by the provision of suitably marked samples.
5.1.4 Sampling plan (see Section 8).
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The thickness of the electrodeposit in
5.1.5 Number of test specimens for destructive testing (see
holes, corners, recesses, and other areas where thickness
7.1).Identifythesubstratematerialbyalloyidentification,such
cannot be controlled under normal electroplating conditions
as by ASTM, AISI, or SAE numbers, or by equivalent
shall be specified by the buyer (see Note 3).
composition information.
3.1.1.2 Discussion—When a deposit of controlled thickness
isrequiredinholes,corners,recesses,andsimilarareas,special 5.1.6 The thickness, adhesion, porosity, and hydrogen em-
racking, auxiliary anodes or shielding will be necessary. brittlement tests required. See 6.3-6.7.
5.1.7 The required grinding or polishing operations of the
3.2 Terminology B374 contains most of the terms used in
basis metal as are necessary to yield deposit with the desired
this specification.
properties.
4. Classification
5.1.8 Where required, the basis metal finish shall be speci-
fied in terms of centerline average (CLA), or arithmetical
4.1 Electroplated nickel shall be provided in any one of the
average (AA).
following three types (Note 2):
5.1.9 Appearance: whether superficial staining from final
rinsing or discoloration after baking is acceptable.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
5.1.10 Where required, post-treatment grinding or machin-
www.astm.org.
ingshallbespecifiedforpartswhicharetobeelectroplatedand
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. subsequently ground or machined to size.
B689−97 (2008)
5.1.11 Where required dimensional tolerances allowed for 6.1.2 For parts that are electroplated and subsequently
the specified electroplated nickel thickness or class shall be ground to size, the grinding shall be done with a sulfur-free
specified. liquid coolant, never dry, and with a sufficiently light cut to
5.1.12 Whererequired,microhardnessrangesshallbespeci- prevent cracking.
fied for the nickel deposit.
NOTE 5—Applied finishes generally perform better in service when the
5.1.13 The buyer of the parts to be electroplated shall
substrate over which they are applied is smooth and free of torn metal,
provide the electroplater with the following information as
inclusions, pores, and other defects. It is recommended that the specifi-
cations covering the unfinished product provide limits for these defects.A
required:
metal finisher can often remove defects through special treatments, such
5.1.13.1 Ultimate tensile strength of the parts.
as grinding, polishing, abrasive blasting, chemical treatments, and elec-
5.1.13.2 Rockwell C hardness of the parts.
tropolishing. However, these are not normal in the treatment steps
5.1.13.3 Heat treatment for stress relief, whether it has been
preceding the application of the finish. When they are desired they must
performed or is required (see 6.2). be stated in the purchase order (see 5.1.7).
5.1.13.4 Heat treatment for hydrogen embrittlement relief
6.2 Pretreatment of Iron and Steel for Reducing the Risk of
(see 6.3 and Test Method F519).
Hydrogen Embrittlement—Parts for critical applications that
5.1.13.5 Tensile loads required for the embrittlement relief
are made of steels with ultimate tensile strengths of 1000 MPa,
test, if applicable.
hardness of 31 HRC or greater, that have been machined,
5.1.13.6 Procedures and requirements for peening to induce
ground, cold formed, or cold straightened subsequent to heat
residual compressive stress in specified surfaces (see Note 4
treatment, shall require stress relief heat treatment when
and 6.4).
specified by the purchaser, the tensile strength to be supplied
by the purchaser. Specification B849 may be consulted for a
NOTE4—Electroplatingonhardened(highalloyandhighcarbon)steels
canreducethefatiguestrengthofthemetalparts.Thismustbeconsidered
list of pretreatments that are used widely.
if the parts will be subjected to repeated applications of complex load
6.3 Post-Coating Treatments of Iron and Steel for Reducing
patterns in service. Shot peening of significant surfaces before electro-
plating can reduce the loss of fatigue strength. Rotary flap peening, a the Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement—Parts for critical appli-
manual method, can also be used in the repair of components in the field
cationsthataremadeofsteelswithultimatetensilestrengthsof
where conventional shot peening equipment is not available. If rotary flap
1000 MPa, hardness of 31 HRC or greater, as well as surface
peening is used, extreme care should be taken to ensure that the entire
hardened parts, shall require post coating hydrogen embrittle-
surface to be treated has been peened.Also, reduction in the fatigue life of
ment relief baking when specified by the purchaser, the tensile
nickel-electroplated steels can be reduced by considering the relations
among the variables that influence fatigue life of nickel-electroplated,
strength to be supplied by the purchaser. Specification B850
hardened steels.
may be consulted for a list of post treatments that are used
widely.
5.1.13.7 What, if any, mechanical treatment was applied by
the manufacturer to the significant surface; that is, particulate
6.4 Peening of Metal Parts—If peening is required before
blasting, grinding, polishing, or peening.
electroplating to induce residual compressive stress to increase
5.1.14 The manufacturer of the parts to be electroplated
fatigue strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking of
shallprovidetheelectroplatingfacilitywithtestspecimens(see
the metal parts, refer to Specification B851 and to MIL-S-
Section 7) to be electroplated for conformance tests as re-
13165, MIL-R-81841, and MIL-W-81840.
questedforpreparation,control,inspection,andlotacceptance.
6.5 Thickness—The thickness of the coating everywhere on
the significant surface shall conform to the requirements of the
6. Coating Requirements
specified class as defined in 3.2 (see Note 6 and 7.2).
6.1 Appearance:
6.1.1 The coating on the significant surfaces of the product NOTE 6—The coating thickness requirements of this specification are
minimum requirements; that is, the coating thickness is required to equal
shall be smooth and free of visual defects such as blisters, pits,
or exceed the specified thickness everywhere on any significant surface
roughness, cracks, flaking, burned deposits, and uncoated
(see4.1).Variationinthe
...