ASTM B449-93(2022)

Standard Specification for Chromates on Aluminum

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the requirements relating to rinsed and non rinsed chromate conversion coatings on aluminum and aluminum alloys intended to give protection against corrosion and as a base for other coatings. Aluminum and aluminum alloys are chromate coated in order to retard corrosion; as a base for organic films including paints, plastics, and adhesives; and as a protective coating having a low electrical contact impedance. The materials are classified according to its coating thickness: Class 1; Class 2; Class 3; and Class 4. Chromate conversion coatings are normally applied by dipping: the coating may also be applied by inundation, spraying, roller coating, or by wipe-on techniques.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements relating to rinsed and nonrinsed chromate conversion coatings on aluminum and aluminum alloys intended to give protection against corrosion and as a base for other coatings. This edition of the specification has been coordinated with ISO/DIS 10546 and is technically equivalent.  
1.2 Aluminum and aluminum alloys are chromate coated in order to retard corrosion; as a base for organic films including paints, plastics, and adhesives; and as a protective coating having a low electrical contact impedance.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Sep-2022
• ICS: 25.220.99 - Other treatments and coatings
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.07 - Conversion Coatings

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1730-09(2020) - Standard Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1730-09(2014) - Standard Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM B117-11 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM B767-88(2010) - Standard Guide for Determining Mass Per Unit Area of Electrodeposited and Related Coatings by Gravimetric and Other Chemical Analysis Procedures
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010
• Refers: ASTM B602-88(2010) - Standard Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM B117-09 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Refers: ASTM D3359-09e1 - Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM D1730-09 - Standard Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM B117-07a - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2007
• Refers: ASTM D3359-07 - Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM B117-07 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM B767-88(2006) - Standard Guide for Determining Mass Per Unit Area of Electrodeposited and Related Coatings by Gravimetric and Other Chemical Analysis Procedures
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2006
• Refers: ASTM B602-88(2005) - Standard Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM B117-03 - Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2003
• Refers: ASTM D1730-03 - Standard Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2003

Overview

ASTM B449-93(2022): Standard Specification for Chromates on Aluminum defines the requirements for rinsed and nonrinsed chromate conversion coatings applied to aluminum and aluminum alloys. Chromate conversion coatings are used to protect aluminum surfaces from corrosion, provide an effective base layer for paints or adhesives, and deliver a protective finish with low electrical contact resistance. This internationally recognized standard, coordinated with ISO/DIS 10546, specifies coating classifications, application methods, performance criteria, and testing procedures to ensure reliable and effective surface treatment.

Key Topics

• Chromate Conversion Coatings: Rinsed and nonrinsed chromates are specified for aluminum and aluminum alloys, with use cases ranging from corrosion protection to serving as an adhesion base for organic coatings.
• Coating Classes: There are four main classes:
  • Class 1: Yellow to brown, thick coatings for maximum corrosion protection.
  • Class 2: Colorless to yellow, moderate protection and excellent paint base.
  • Class 3: Colorless, thin coatings for decorative purposes and low electrical resistance.
  • Class 4: Light green to green, chromate-phosphate finishes for specific requirements.
• Application Methods: Coatings are typically applied by dipping but can also be applied by inundation, spraying, roller coating, or wipe-on techniques, depending on production needs.
• Testing and Quality Control:
  • Corrosion resistance is assessed via neutral salt spray testing (per ASTM B117 or ISO 3768).
  • Tests for electrical resistance, coating mass per unit area (ISO 3892), and adhesion (ASTM D3359 or ISO 2409) validate coating performance.
  • Qualitative chemical tests ensure correct chemical composition and identify presence of chromate, phosphate, or zinc.
• Surface Preparation: Thorough cleaning is mandatory to remove soils, oxides, oils, and contaminants before chromating.
• Color and Appearance: Color variation is expected; coatings may range from iridescent light colors to brown or green, depending on class, application, and alloy.

Applications

Chromate conversion coatings per ASTM B449-93(2022) are widely utilized in:

• Aerospace and Defense: Aluminum aircraft and military components rely on chromate coatings for corrosion resistance and paint adhesion. The standard is approved for use by U.S. Department of Defense agencies.
• Automotive and Transportation: Protecting underbody panels, trim, and structural aluminum parts from corrosion and enhancing adhesion for subsequent coatings.
• Electronics: Thin chromate coatings support electrical conductivity and minimize contact resistance, crucial for connectors and housings.
• Construction and Architectural: Aluminum window frames, curtain walls, and exterior panels are chromate coated for enhanced durability and to ensure a strong paint or sealant bond.
• General Manufacturing: Used anywhere aluminum parts are painted, bonded, or require extended service life in corrosive environments.

Related Standards

ASTM B449-93(2022) incorporates methods and guidelines from several key international and regional standards to ensure harmonization:

• ASTM B117 - Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• ASTM B602 - Guide for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• ASTM D1730 - Practices for Preparation of Aluminum Surfaces for Painting
• ASTM D3359 - Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test
• ISO 2409 - Paints and Varnishes - Cross-Cut Test
• ISO 3768 - Metallic Coatings - Neutral Salt Spray Test (NSS)
• ISO 3892 - Conversion Coatings on Metallic Materials - Determination of Mass Per Unit Area
• ISO 4519 - Electrodeposited Metallic Coatings and Related Finishes - Sampling Procedures
• ISO/DIS 10546 - Chemical Conversion Coatings on Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys
• MIL-DTL-5541 - Chemical Films for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys (U.S. Military specification)

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM B449-93(2022) ensures:

• Enhanced corrosion protection and longevity for aluminum components.
• Reliable and consistent performance when parts are used as a base for organic coatings (paints, adhesives, sealants).
• Effective quality control through defined testing and classification.
• International compatibility with ISO and military standards, simplifying compliance across industries and borders.

Keywords: chromate conversion coating, aluminum corrosion protection, ASTM B449, paint base, electrical contact resistance, conversion coating standard, surface treatment, military specification aluminum, ISO chemical conversion coatings.

Standards Content (Sample)

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: B449 −93 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Chromates on Aluminum
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B449; 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 B767 Guide for Determining Mass Per Unit Area of Elec-
trodeposited and Related Coatings by Gravimetric and
1.1 This specification covers the requirements relating to
Other Chemical Analysis Procedures
rinsed and nonrinsed chromate conversion coatings on alumi-
D1730 Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and
num and aluminum alloys intended to give protection against
Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting
corrosion and as a base for other coatings. This edition of the
D3359 Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test
specification has been coordinated with ISO/DIS 10546 and is
2.2 ISO Standards:
technically equivalent.
ISO 2409 Paint and Varnishes—Cross-Cut Test
1.2 Aluminum and aluminum alloys are chromate coated in
ISO 3768 Metallic Coatings—Neutral Salt Spray Test (NSS
order to retard corrosion; as a base for organic films including
Test)
paints, plastics, and adhesives; and as a protective coating
ISO 3892 Conversion Coatings on Metallic Materials—
having a low electrical contact impedance.
Determination of Mass Per Unit Area—Gravimetric
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Method
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ISO 4519 Electrodeposited Metallic Coatings and Related
standard.
Finishes—Sampling Procedures for Inspection by Attri-
butes
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ISO/DIS 10546 Chemical Conversion Coatings—Rinsed
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and Nonrinsed Chromate Conversion Coatings—On Alu-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
minum and Aluminum Alloys
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2.3 Federal Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Fed. Std. No. 141 Paints, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Materials; Methods of Inspection
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2.4 Military Specification:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
MIL-DTL-5541 Chemical Films forAluminum andAlumi-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
num Alloys
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 nonrinsed—chromate coatings that are dried immedi-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ately after the chromating step without receiving a water rinse.
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
3.1.1.1 Discussion—This special type of coating is typically
B602 Guide for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inor-
used on long coils of aluminum sheet stock that receive an
ganic Coatings
immediate subsequent paint or adhesive coating.
NOTE 1—Nonrinsed chromate coatings are finding increased usage on
1 fabricated parts and castings.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on
Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3.1.2 rinsed—chromate coatings that are rinsed in water
B08.07 on Conversion Coatings.
prior to drying.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
approvedin1967.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2015asB449 – 93(2015).DOI:
10.1520/B0449-93R22.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
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Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B449 − 93 (2022)
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Thistypeofcoatingistypicallyapplied 6.2 Chromate conversion coatings are normally applied by
to extruded aluminum fabricated parts and castings. dipping: the coating may also be applied by inundation,
spraying, roller coating, or by wipe-on techniques. The appli-
4. Classification
cation method used should be taken from the operating
instructions for the chromating process employed. Chromating
4.1 Chromate finishes can be applied ranging in color from
solutions are usually acidic and may contain hexavalent
brown, thick coatings (Class 1) providing maximum corrosion
chromium salts together with other salts that may be varied to
protection to yellow, intermediate thickness coatings (Class 2)
affect the appearance and hardness of the film.The color of the
suitable as an organic film base or to colorless, thin coatings
film,and,therefore,thetypeofconversioncoating,dependson
(Class 3) suitable for low electrical contact resistance. The
the composition of the chromating solution, but it is also
yellow coatings vary from golden yellow to iridescent light
affected by the pH and temperature, the duration of the
yellow. Chromate-phosphate finishes (Class 4) can be applied
treatment, and the nature and surface condition of the alloy
ranging in color from green to iridescent light green.The Class
being treated.
4 coatings comply with the requirements of MIL-DTL-5541.
6.3 These coatings receive a final water rinse. If the coating
4.2 Finishers can seldom guarantee to supply exact shades
is meant to be a basis for additional coatings, the detail shall be
ofcolorwithchromateconversioncoatings.Ifitisnecessaryto
subject to a rinse in deionized water with a conductivity less
have exact shades of color, it is possible to dye chromate
2 than 100t µS/cm. If hot water is used as the final rinse after the
coatings having a coating mass greater than 0.4 g/m to obtain
chromating process, it is essential that the time of rinsing
a wide range of colors, but they can only be expected to give
should be kept as short as possible in order to prevent the
an order of added corrosion resistance similar to that provided
dissolution of the hexavalent chromium. The drying of the
by the undyed coatings. It should be noted that color and color
coating shall be carried out at a temperature not exceeding
uniformity will vary somewhat between one alloy and another
60°Ctopreventcrackingduetodehydration,whichcausesloss
and from a polished surface to an etched surface. Iridescence
of adhesion and performance of the chromate coating.
and variations in color density from one area of the surface to
6.4 Any additional subsequent treatments depend upon the
another are normal and shall not be considered a sign of poor
purpose for which the chromated parts are intended.
quality.
4.3 The finishes are divided into four classes; their most 7. Coating Requirements
important characteristics are listed in Table 1.
7.1 General—Chromate conversion coatings harden with
agebygradualdehydration.Theyshould,therefore,behandled
5. Surfaces Preparation
carefully for the first 24 h after treatment, and any tests
5.1 The surfaces of the parts to be chromated must be clean (including corrosion tests) shall be deferred until the expiration
andfreeofanyoxidation,scale,orsoilssuchasmetalturnings, of that period. The green chromate-phosphate coatings usually
grinding dust, oil, grease, lubricants, hand-sweat, or any other continue to improve in corrosion resistance after initial forma-
contaminationdetrimentaltothechromatingprocess.Theparts
tion. They achieve their maximum corrosion resistance after 1
must therefore, as far as necessary, be cleaned before chromat- to 2 months at room temperature. It is not required to store
ing and if necessary be pickled. Fig. X2.1 shows the various
parts for this purpose.
processing step options.
7.2 Electrical Resistance—Colorless, light yellow, or light
green iridescent chromate layers of low mass per unit area
6. Methods of Application of Chromate Coatings
increase the electrical resistance between an electrical contact
6.1 Metallic material other than aluminum should not be and the aluminum to a very small extent. When measured at
treated with the parts to be chromated. 9-V and a 2-Acurrent the resistance should be less than 0.1Ω.
Highly colored brown, yellow, or green coatings show a
marked increase in electrical contact resistance with increasing
mass per unit area of the chromate layer and may reach
TABLE 1 Classification of Chromate Coatings
resistances of 10 000Ω or more.
Coating Mass per
A
Class Appearance Corrosion Protection
2 7.3 Adhesion—The coatings shall be adherent and non-
Unit Area, g/m
powdery. There are no p
...