ASTM B558-79(1997)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating
Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating
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 the safety problems 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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Designation: B 558 – 79 (Reapproved 1997)
Standard Practice for
Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 558; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope a low-current density of 2 A/dm for 10 min and then made
passive at 20 A/dm for 2 min and finally cathodic for 2 or 3 s
1.1 This practice is intended to serve as a guide for
at 20 A/dm .(Warning—Slowly add the sulfuric acid with
producing adherent electrodeposits of nickel on nickel alloys.
rapid stirring to the approximate amount of water required.)
Only those methods that are well known and generally prac-
When the initial mixture cools, dilute to exact volume. The
ticed are included. Methods that have been used successfully
temperature of the solution should be in the range from 20 to
but not on a broad scale are not included. Once nickel is
25°C (70 to 80°F). Chemical lead may be used for the
applied, other metals may be electroplated on the product.
electrodes. Rinsing should be used before electroplating.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—This activation is not suitable for barrel operation.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3 Acid-Nickel Chloride Treatment—This procedure uses
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
an anodic treatment followed by a cathodic treatment in a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
low-pH nickel chloride solution. The composition of the
solution is 240 g/L of nickel chloride (NiCl ·6H O) and 31 mL
2. Cleaning 2 2
of concentrated 31.45 mass % hydrochloric acid (density 1.16
2.1 The following cleaning treatments may be used. The
g/mL). The normal procedure is to make the alloy anodic for 2
choice of the procedure will be governed largely by the
min at 3 A/dm and then cathodic for 6 min at the same current
condition of the surface.
density. The temperature of the solution should be in the range
2.1.1 Degreasing is used to remove the bulk of grease, oil,
from 20 to 25°C. Nickel may be used for the electrodes.
and finishing compounds that may be present on the surface.
Separate tanks are recommended for the anodic and cathodic
The cleaning may be vapor degreasing, solvent wash, emulsion
steps to avoid contamination of solution but a single tank may
cleaning, or soak cleaning.
be used. Rinsing should be used before electroplating except
2.1.2 Electrolytic Alkaline Cleaning—Removal of final
where indicated in Table X1.1.
traces of dirt, grease, and oil is accomplished best with
electrolytic alkaline cleaning. The solution may be either a NOTE 2—Nickel anode materials containing greater than 0.01 % sulfur
are not recommended for use in acid nickel strike baths operating at pH
proprietary cleaner or a formulated one.
0.5, or lower, to avoid oxidation of sulfides by hydrochloric acid.
3. Activation
3.4 Anodic Etching in a Low pH Watts Bath—The compo-
3.1 The procedure used for activating the nickel alloy sition of the low pH Watts Bath is 360 g/L of nickel sulfate
surface usually determines the soundness of the adhesion. The
(NiSO ·7H O), 45 g/L of nickel chloride (NiCl ·6H O), and
4 2 2 2
choice of treatment is governed by the condition of the surface
37.5 g/L of boric acid (H BO ). This procedure uses an anodic
3 3
and the type of alloy. A mild etching treatment should be used treatment i
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