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ASTM B504-90(2023)

(Test Method)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Measurement of the thickness of a coating is essential to assessing its utility and cost.  
4.2 The coulometric method destroys the coating over a very small (about 0.1 cm2) test area. Therefore its use is limited to applications where a bare spot at the test area is acceptable or the test piece may be destroyed.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thickness of metallic coatings by the coulometric method, also known as the anodic solution or electrochemical stripping method.  
1.2 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
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
Published
Publication Date
30-Apr-2023
ICS
17.040.20 - Properties of surfaces
Technical Committee
B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
Drafting Committee
B08.10 - Test Methods
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM B504-90(2023) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric MethodASTM B504-90(2023) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
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ASTM B504-90(2023) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
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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.
Designation: B504 − 90 (Reapproved 2023) Endorsed by American
Electroplaters’ Society
Endorsed by National
Association of Metal Finishers
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the
1
Coulometric Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B504; 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.
2
1. Scope (about 0.1 cm ). With the test specimen as anode and the cell
as cathode, a constant direct current is passed through the cell
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thick-
until the coating has dissolved, at which time a sudden change
ness of metallic coatings by the coulometric method, also
in voltage occurs.
known as the anodic solution or electrochemical stripping
method. 3.3 The thickness of the coating may be calculated from the
quantity of electricity used (current multiplied by time), the
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
area, the electrochemical equivalent of the coating metal, the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
anodic-current efficiency, and the density of the coating.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Alternatively, the equipment may be calibrated against stan-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
dards with known coating thicknesses.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.4 Commercial instruments using this principle are avail-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
able. The method is rapid and versatile, but destructive to the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the coating. In general, its range is considered to be between
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 0.75 μm and 50 μm. Chromium, gold, tin, and other coatings
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical can be measured down to 0.075 μm.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Measurement of the thickness of a coating is essential to
assessing its utility and cost.
2.1 ISO Standard:
4.2 The coulometric method destroys the coating over a
ISO 2177 Metallic Coatings—Measurement of Coating
2
2
very small (about 0.1 cm ) test area. Therefore its use is limited
Thickness—Coulometric Method by Anodic Dissolution
to applications where a bare spot at the test area is acceptable
3. Summary of Test Method
or the test piece may be destroyed.
3.1 The thickness of the coating is determined by measuring
5. Factors Affecting the Accuracy of the Method
the quantity of electricity (coulombs) required to dissolve the
5.1 Composition of Electrolytes—Electrolytes used for cou-
coating anodically from a known and accurately defined area.
lometric thickness measurements must permit the coating
3.2 As commonly practiced, the method employs a small
metal to dissolve at a constant anodic-current efficiency (pref-
metal cell which is filled with an appropriate electrolyte. The
erably 100 %); they must have a negligible spontaneous
test specimen serves as the bottom of the cell and an insulating
chemical effect on the coating metal and must so differentiate
gasket between the cell and the specimen defines the test area
electrochemically between the coating and the substrate that a
suitably sharp and large voltage change occurs at the end point
of the test.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
5.1.1 Electrolytes furnished with commercial instruments
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
may be presumed to meet these requirements; others must be
Test Methods.
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
evaluated before use by testing standards having known
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as B504 – 90 (2017).
thicknesses. Appendix X1 lists some electrolytes and coating-
DOI: 10.1520/B0504-90R23.
2
substrate combinations that have been used with some instru-
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. ments.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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1.1 This test method covers measurement of the local thickness of metal and oxide coatings by the microscopical examination of cross sections using an optical microscope.  
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Standard Test Methods for Thickness of Diffusion Coating

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3.1 A diffusion coating is one produced by causing an element or elements to react with or diffuse into, or both, the surface of a metallic substrate, thus chemically altering the substrate adjacent to the surface. To appreciate the significance of coating thickness measurements one must understand the contributions to a particular coating of solid-solution zones in the substrate and reaction products such as intermetallic compounds.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover two procedures for measuring the thickness of diffusion coatings.  
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1.3 Test Method B is the determination of total coating thickness, defined as the distance between the observably unaffected substrate and the exterior surface of the coating. This includes the total of all included phases, zones and layers. (The term case depth is considered to be synonymous with total coating thickness.) The total coating thickness is determined by cross-sectioning the coating, preparing a metallurgical mount and microscopically measuring the coating thickness.  
1.4 The total coating thickness as determined microscopically from a cross-section will usually be greater than, or equal to, the dimensional change thickness determined by part growth. When the coating is produced primarily by reaction with the substrate, the substrate-coating interface recedes as the substrate is consumed in the reaction. In such cases the difference between the total coating thickness and the dimensional change thickness is the thickness of the substrate consumed.  
1.5 Diffusion coatings are usually formed at elevated temperatures for service at elevated temperatures. This means that diffusion coatings are dynamic systems which are continually undergoing changes while in an elevated-temperature environment. It is necessary to know that certain phases are growing at the expense of others and to know the previous history of a coating to understand the significance of coating thickness data.  
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