ASTM B456-03(2009)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the requirements for several types and grades of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chromium and nickel plus chromium coatings on steel, copper, copper alloys, Type 300 and 400 series stainless steels, aluminum, aluminum alloys, and zinc alloys for application where both appearance and protection of the basis metal against corrosion are important. This specification does not cover plating on plastics. 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 basis metal, or the designated AISI number in the case of stainless steels, and their corresponding thickness; and symbols for expressing the type of coating. Products shall be sampled and inspected accordingly for visual defects, thickness, adhesion, elongation, ductility, corrosion, sulfur content, density, and discontinuities.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers requirements for several types and grades of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chromium or nickel plus chromium coatings on steel, nickel plus chromium coatings on copper and copper alloys, nickel plus chromium coatings on Type 300 and 400 series stainless steel and copper plus nickel plus chromium coatings on aluminum and its alloys and zinc alloys for applications where both appearance and protection of the basis metal against corrosion are important. Five grades of coatings are provided to correspond with the service conditions under which each is expected to provide satisfactory performance: namely, extended very severe, very severe, severe, moderate, and mild. Definitions and typical examples of these service conditions are provided in Appendix X1.
1.2 This specification does not cover the requirements for the plating on plastics, see Specification B604.
1.3 The following hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portions, Appendix X2, Appendix X3, Appendix X4, and Appendix X5 of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: B456 – 03 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Specification for
Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus
Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B456; 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 B252 Guide for Preparation of ZincAlloy Die Castings for
Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
1.1 This specification covers requirements for several types
B253 Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Elec-
and grades of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chro-
troplating
mium or nickel plus chromium coatings on steel, nickel plus
B254 Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on
chromium coatings on copper and copper alloys, nickel plus
Stainless Steel
chromium coatings on Type 300 and 400 series stainless steel
B281 Practice for Preparation of Copper and Copper-Base
and copper plus nickel plus chromium coatings on aluminum
Alloys for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
and its alloys and zinc alloys for applications where both
B320 Practice for Preparation of Iron Castings for Electro-
appearance and protection of the basis metal against corrosion
plating
are important. Five grades of coatings are provided to corre-
B368 Test Method for Copper-AcceleratedAceticAcid-Salt
spondwiththeserviceconditionsunderwhicheachisexpected
Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)
to provide satisfactory performance: namely, extended very
B380 Test Method for Corrosion Testing of Decorative
severe, very severe, severe, moderate, and mild. Definitions
Electrodeposited Coatings by the Corrodkote Procedure
and typical examples of these service conditions are provided
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide
in Appendix X1.
CoatingThicknessbyMicroscopicalExaminationofCross
1.2 This specification does not cover the requirements for
Section
the plating on plastics, see Specification B604.
B489 Practice for Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodepos-
1.3 The following hazards caveat pertains only to the test
ited and Autocatalytically Deposited Metal Coatings on
methods portions, Appendix X2, Appendix X3, Appendix X4,
Metals
and Appendix X5 of this specification: This standard does not
B490 Practice for Micrometer Bend Test for Ductility of
purport to address all of safety concerns, if any, associated
Electrodeposits
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thick-
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
nessesbytheMagneticMethod:NonmagneticCoatingson
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
Magnetic Basis Metals
use.
B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Me-
2. Referenced Documents tallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
B530 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thick-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
nesses by the Magnetic Method: Electrodeposited Nickel
B183 Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for
Coatings on Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Substrates
Electroplating
B537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected
B242 Guide for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for Elec-
to Atmospheric Exposure
troplating
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
by X-Ray Spectrometry
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on
B571 Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic
Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
Coatings
B08.08.03 on Decorative Coatings.
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as B456 – 03. DOI:
Inorganic Coatings
10.1520/B0456-03R09.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
B456 – 03 (2009)
B604 Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings 4.3.2 The chemical symbol for copper (Cu) (if copper is
of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics used),
B659 Guide for Measuring Thickness of Metallic and Inor- 4.3.3 A number indicating the minimum thickness of the
ganic Coatings copper coating in micrometres (if copper is used),
B697 Guide for Selection of Sampling Plans for Inspection 4.3.4 A lower-case letter designating the type of copper
of Electrodeposited Metallic and Inorganic Coatings deposit (if copper is used) (see 4.4 and 6.2.3),
B762 Test Method of Variables Sampling of Metallic and 4.3.5 The chemical symbol for nickel (Ni),
Inorganic Coatings 4.3.6 A number indicating the minimum thickness of the
B764 Test Method for Simultaneous Thickness and Elec- nickel coating, in micrometres,
trode Potential Determination of Individual Layers in 4.3.7 A lower-case letter designating the type of nickel
Multilayer Nickel Deposit (STEP Test) deposit (see 4.4 and 6.2.4),
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water 4.3.8 The chemical symbol for chromium (Cr), and
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging 4.3.9 A letter (or letters) designating the type of chromium
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid- deposit and its minimum thickness in micrometres (see 4.4 and
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and 6.2.5).
Related Materials 4.4 Symbols for Expressing Classification—The following
G85 Practice for Modified Salt Spray (Fog) Testing lower-case letters shall be used in coating classification num-
2.2 ISO Standards: bers to describe the types of coatings:
ISO 1456 Metallic coatings—Electrodeposited coatings of
a —ductile copper deposited from acid-type baths
b —single-layer nickel deposited in the fully-bright condition
nickel plus chromium and of copper plus nickel plus
d —double- or triple-layer nickel coatings
chromium
r —regular (that is, conventional) chromium
mc —microcracked chromium
3. Terminology
mp —microporous chromium
3.1 Definitions:
4.5 Example of Complete Classification Numbers—A coat-
3.1.1 significant surfaces—those surfaces normally visible
ing on steel comprising 15 µm minimum (ductile acid) copper
(directlyorbyreflection)thatareessentialtotheappearanceor
plus 25 µm minimum (duplex) nickel plus 0.25µ m minimum
serviceability of the article, or both, when assembled in normal
(micro-cracked) chromium has the classification number: Fe/
position; or that can be the source of corrosion products that
Cu15aNi25d Cr mc (see 4.3 and 6.2 for explanation of
deface visible surfaces on the assembled article. When neces-
symbols).
sary, the significant surfaces shall be specified by the purchaser
and shall be indicated on the drawings of the parts, or by the 5. Ordering Information
provision of suitably marked samples.
5.1 When ordering articles to be electroplated in conform-
ance with this standard, the purchaser shall state the following:
4. Classification
5.1.1 The ASTM designation number of this standard.
4.1 Five grades of coatings designated by service condition
5.1.2 Either the classification number of the specific coating
numbers and several types of coatings defined by classification
required (see 4.3) or the substrate material and the service
numbers are covered by this specification.
condition number denoting the severity of the conditions it is
4.2 Service Condition Number:
required to withstand (see 4.2). If the service condition number
4.2.1 The service condition number indicates the severity of
isquotedandnottheclassificationnumber,themanufactureris
exposure for which the grade of coating is intended:
free to supply any of the types of coatings designated by the
SC 5 extended severe service
classification numbers corresponding to the specified service
SC 4 very severe service,
condition number, as given in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table
SC 3 severe service,
SC 2 moderate service, and
TABLE 1 Nickel Plus Chromium Coatings on Steel
SC 1 mild service.
NOTE 1—When permitted by the purchaser, copper may be used as an
4.2.2 Typical service conditions for which the various
undercoat for nickel but is not substitutable for any part of the nickel
service condition numbers are appropriate are given inAppen-
thickness specified. If the use of copper is permitted, Table 2 may be used
dix X1.
to obtain the same service conditions.
4.3 Coating Classification Number—The coating classifica-
Service Condition Classification No. Nickel Thickness,
tion number comprises:
No. µm
4.3.1 The chemical symbol for the basis metal (or for the
SC 5 Fe/Ni35d Cr mc 35
principal metal if an alloy) followed by a slash mark, except in
Fe/Ni35d Cr mp 35
the case of stainless steel. In this case, the designation shall be SC 4 Fe/Ni30d Cr mc 30
Fe/Ni30d Cr mp 30
SS followed by the designated AISI number followed by a
SC 3 Fe/Ni25d Cr mc 25
slash, that is, SS463/,
Fe/Ni25d Cr mp 25
SC 2 Fe/Ni20b Cr r 20
Fe/Ni15b Cr mc 15
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
Fe/Ni15b Cr mp 15
la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http:// SC 1 Fe/Ni10b Cr r 10
www.iso.ch.
B456 – 03 (2009)
A
TABLE 2 Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium Coatings on Steel TABLE 5 Nickel Plus Chromium on Stainless Steels, AISI
B
Designated Type 300 and 400 Series, and Copper Plus Nickel
Service Condition Classification No. Nickel Thickness,
Plus Chromium on Aluminum and Its Alloys
No. µm
SC 5 Fe/Cu15a Ni30d Cr mc 30
NOTE 1—Before nickel-chromium plating, the stainless steel surface
Fe/Cu15a Ni30d Cr mp 30
and the aluminum substrate shall be prepared by a pretreatment from
SC 4 Fe/Cu15a Ni25d Cr mc 25 C D
Practice B254, Guide B253, or equivalent, which is agreed upon
Fe/Cu15a Ni25d Cr mp 25
between the supplier and the user.
SC 3 Fe/Cu12a Ni20d Cr mc 20
Fe/Cu12a Ni20d Cr mp 20
Service Condition Nickel Thickness,
Classification No.
No. µm
E
SC 4 SS-3XX /Ni20b/Cr mp 20
E
SC 4 SS-4xx /Ni25b/Cr mp 25
TABLE 3 Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium Coatings on Zinc
SC 5 Al/Cu15a/Ni40d/Cr mp 40
Alloy
A
Data in Table 5 were obtained using only microporous chromium systems. No
Service Condition
Classification No. Nickel Thickness, µm
data are available for the use of standard or microcracked systems.
No.
B
The stainless steel alloy numbers used in this specification are based on the
SC 5 Zn/Cu5 Ni35d Cr mc 35
AISI system. They may not be interchangeable with other numbering systems
Zn/Cu5 Ni35d Cr mp 35
such as the United Numbering System (UNS) or foreign designations.
C
SC 4 Zn/Cu5 Ni30d Cr mc 30
Preplate for stainless steel substrates.
D
Zn/Cu5 Ni30d Cr mp 30
Preplate for aluminum substrates.
E
SC 3 Zn/Cu5 Ni20d Cr mc 20
Insert number for specific 300 or 400 alloy.
Zn/Cu5 Ni20d Cr mp 20
SC 2 Zn/Cu5 Ni20b Cr r 20
Zn/Cu5 Ni15b Cr mc 15
Zn/Cu5 Ni15b Cr mp 15
5.1.11 The minimum values of the electrode potential dif-
SC 1 Zn/Cu5 Ni10b Cr r 10
ferences between individual nickel layers as measured in
accordance with Test Method B764 within the limits given in
6.8.
5.1.12 Adhesion Test—The adhesion test to be used (see
4,or Table 5. On request, the manufacturer shall inform the
6.3).
purchaser of the classification number of the coating applied.
5.1.3 The appearance required, for example, bright, dull, or
6. Product Requirements
satin. Alternatively, samples showing the required finish or
range of finish shall be supplied or approved by the purchaser.
6.1 Visual Defects:
5.1.4 The significant surfaces, to be indicated on drawings
6.1.1 The significant surfaces of the electroplated article
of the parts, or by the provision of suitably marked specimens
shall be free of clearly visible plating defects, such as blisters,
(see 3.1).
pits, roughness, cracks, and uncoated areas and shall not be
5.1.5 The positions on significant surfaces for rack or
stained or discolored. On articles where a visible contact mark
contact marks, where such marks are unavoidable (see 6.1.1).
is unavoidable, its position shall be agreed upon by the
5.1.6 The extent to which defects shall be tolerated on
purchaserandtheplater.Theelectroplatedarticleshallbeclean
nonsignificant surfaces.
and free of damage.
5.1.7 The elongation of copper if other than the standard
6.1.2 Defects in the surface of the basis metal, such as
value (see 6.4).
scratches, porosity, nonconducting inclusions, roll and die
5.1.8 The ducitility of the nickel if other than the standard
marks, cold shuts, and cracks, may adversely affect the
value (see 6.5).
appearance and the performance of coatings applied thereto
5.1.9 The extent of tolerable surface deterioration after
despite the observance of the best electroplating practices.
corrosion testing (see 6.7.3).
Accordingly, the plater’s responsibility for defects in the
5.1.10 Sampling methods and acceptance levels (see Sec-
coating resulting from such conditions shall be waived.
tion 7).
NOTE 1—To minimize problems of this type, the specifications cover-
ing the basis material or the item to be electroplated should contain
appropriate limitations on such basis metal conditions.
TABLE 4 Nickel Plus Chromium Coatings on Copper or Copper
Alloy
6.2 Process and Coating Requirements:
Service Condition
6.2.1 Proper preparatory procedures and thorough cleaning
Classification No. Nickel Thickness, µm
No.
ofthebasismetalsurfaceareessentialforsatisfactoryadhesion
SC 4 Cu/Ni25d Cr mc 25
and corrosion performance of the coating. Accordingly, the
Cu/Ni25d Cr mp 25
applicable practices for the preparation of various basis metals
SC 3 Cu/Ni20d Cr mc 20
Cu/Ni20d Cr mp 20 for electroplating shall be followed. Practices B183, B242,
Cu/Ni30b Cr r 30
B252, B281, and B320 are examples of practices that may be
Cu/Ni25b Cr mc 25
used for the preparation of basis metals.
Cu/Ni25b Cr mp 25
SC 2 Cu/Ni15b Cr r 15 6.2.2 Following the preparatory operations, the parts (ar-
Cu/Ni10b Cr mc 10
ticles) to be electroplated are introduced in such plating baths
Cu/Ni10b Cr mp 10
as required to produce the types of deposits described by the
SC 1 Cu/Ni5b Cr r 5
specific coating classification numbers or one of the coating
B456 – 03 (2009)
as the electrochemical relationships between the individual layers, can
classification numbers listed inTable 1,Table 2,Table 3,Table
also be measu
...
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