ASTM B904-00
(Specification)Standard Specification for Autocatalytic Nickel over Autocatalytic Copper for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
Standard Specification for Autocatalytic Nickel over Autocatalytic Copper for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
SCOPE
1.1 This specification presents the requirements for multilayer coatings of autocatalytic nickel-phosphorus over autocatalytic copper on metallic and polymeric substrates. The coating system is intended to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection properties or electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to parts fabricated from either polymeric or metallic materials.
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Designation: B 904 – 00
Standard Specification for
Autocatalytic Nickel over Autocatalytic Copper for
Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 904; 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 B 567 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness
by the Beta Backscatter Method
This specification presents the requirements for multilayer
B 568 Test Method for Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spec-
coatings of autocatalytic nickel-phosphorus over autocatalytic
trometry
copper on metallic and polymeric substrates. The coating
B 602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and
system is intended to provide electromagnetic interference
Inorganic Coatings
(EMI) protection properties or electrostatic discharge (ESD)
B 697 Guide for Selection of Sampling Plans for Inspection
protection to parts fabricated from either polymeric or metallic
of Electrodeposited Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
materials.
B 727 Practice for Preparation of Plastics Materials for
2. Referenced Documents Electroplating
B 733 Specification for Autocatalytic Nickel-Phosphorus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Coatings on Metals
A 919 Terminology Relating to Heat Treatment of Metals
D 3330/D 3330M Test Methods for Peel Adhesion of
B 183 Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for
Pressure-Sensitive Tape at 180° Angle
Electroplating
D 3359 Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape
B 242 Practice for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for
Test
Electroplating
D 4935 Test Method for Measuring the Electromagnetic
B 252 Guide for Preparation of Zinc Alloy Die Castings for
Shielding Effectiveness of Planar Materials
Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
2.2 Military Standard:
B 253 Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Elec-
MIL-STD-461 Electromagnetic Emission and Susceptibil-
troplating
ity Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic
B 320 Practice for Preparation of Iron Castings for Electro-
Interference
plating
B 322 Practice for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating
3. Terminology
B 374 Terminology Related to Electroplating
3.1 Definitions—Many of the terms used in this specifica-
B 504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Me-
3 tion can be found in Terminologies A 919 or B 374.
tallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
B 532 Specification for the Appearance of Electroplated
3 3.2.1 significant surfaces, n—these surfaces are classified as
Plastic Surfaces
primary, secondary, nonsignificant, and coating-free surfaces.
B 533 Test Method for Peel Strength of Electroplated Plas-
3 3.2.1.1 coating-free areas, adj—areas specified on part
tics
drawings or suitably marked samples.
B 553 Test Method for Thermal Cycling of Electroplated
3.2.1.2 nonsignificant surfaces, adj—all holes, recesses, and
Plastics
other areas where a controlled deposit cannot be obtained
B 554 Practice for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic
under normal coating conditions and that cannot be touched
Coatings on Nonmetallic Substrates
with a 20-mm diameter ball shall be considered nonsignificant
surfaces unless otherwise specified on part drawings or suitably
marked samples.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B-08 on
Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
B08.08.01on Engineering Coatings.
Current edition approved March 10, 2000. Published July 2000. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
2 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
3 8
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.05. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.02.
4 9
Discontinued 1992; see 1991 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol . Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Discontinued 1987; Replaced by B 659. Robbins Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19111–5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
B 904
3.2.1.3 primary significant surface, adj—all mating sur- 5. Ordering Information
faces and those other surfaces specified on part drawings or
5.1 To avoid misunderstanding between contractual parties,
suitably marked samples.
purchase orders or contracts for autocatalytic nickel over
3.2.1.4 secondary significant surfaces, adj—all surfaces,
autocatalytic copper coatings under this specification should
other than primary significant surfaces, that can be touched
include the designation, issue date, and the following informa-
with a 20-mm diameter ball shall be considered secondary
tion:
significant surfaces unless otherwise specified on part drawings
5.1.1 Type of substrate.
or suitably marked samples.
5.1.1.1 Metallic substrates should state the composition and
metallurgical condition. Assemblies of dissimilar materials
4. Classification
should be identified.
4.1 This classification system provides for the following:
5.1.1.2 Polymeric substrates should state the polymer type
4.1.1 Types of coating based on thickness and testing
and should be of a plating grade.
requirements, and
5.1.2 Classification of the deposit by type and grade.
4.1.2 Grades of coating based on alloy composition.
5.1.3 Primary significant surfaces and coating-free surfaces
4.2 Coating Type:
must be indicated on drawings.
4.2.1 The coating type indicates the type of application and
5.1.4 Any special requirements.
tests to be used in determining the acceptance of the coating.
5.1.5 Test methods for coating adhesion, thickness, porosity.
4.2.2 Coating Type Definitions:
5.1.6 Sampling program.
4.2.2.1 Type 1—Coatings intended to shield devices for
FCC/VDE Class B service.
6. Surface Preparation
4.2.2.2 Type 2—Coatings intended to shield devices for
FCC/VDE Class B service in harsh environments.
6.1 Surface Contamination—Surfaces of polymeric parts
4.2.2.3 Type 3—Coatings intended to shield devices for
must be free of all mold release agents, dirt, oil, grease, and
MIL-STD-461 requirements.
contamination detrimental to the final finish. Surfaces of
4.2.2.4 Type 4—Coatings intended to shield devices for
metallic parts must be free of all scale, oxidation, and contami-
FCC/VDE Class A requirements.
nation detrimental to the final finish. A clean surface is
4.2.3 The description of Types 1, 2, 3, and 4 is summarized
essential to the adhesion and electrical conductivity require-
in Table 1.
ments of the subsequent coated part.
4.3 Coating Grade:
6.2 Cleaning, Conditioning, and Activating—Any adequate
4.3.1 The coating grade is based upon phosphorus content.
method of cleaning, conditioning, and activating is acceptable
provided the coated parts meet the inspection requirements and
NOTE 1—The coating grade indicates the relative contact impedance
and the relative corrosion resistance of the nickel-phosphorus coating and are free of distortion. Examples of adequate methods of
tests to be used in determining the acceptance of the coating
cleaning can be found in 10.2.
6.2.1 Base Material Suitability—The parts to be coated
4.3.2 Coating Grade Definitions:
shall be inspected by the coater prior to any processing to
4.3.3 Grade 1 coatings have a phosphorus content between
determine their suitability for coating. Unsuitable parts shall be
3 and 5 %.
returned to the fabricator or molder.
NOTE 2—Low phosphorus coatings exhibit low electrical contact im-
6.3 Mechanical Roughening—Mechanical roughening of
pedance. High phosphorus contents exhibit somewhat higher contact
polymer surfaces, to promote adhesion, may only be used when
impedance, however, the coating is more corrosion resistant.
specified on the part drawing.
4.3.4 Grade 2 coatings have a phosphorus content between
6 and 11 %.
7. In-Process Storage and Handling
NOTE 3—The adhesion and resistance to blistering are improved on
7.1 Following cleaning, conditioning, and activating, all
some polymeric substrates by an initial flash deposit of autocatalytic
parts shall be immediately coated with copper and then
nickel.
nickel-phosphorus to the thickness specified in Table 1. The
parts processing cycle shall be a continuous operation without
TABLE 1 Autocatalytic Nickel-Phosphorus Over Autocatalytic
Copper Coating Descriptions Summary any interruption.
7.2 Handling—The parts shall be suitably racked so as to
Type Thickness Shielding Application
Effectiveness
prevent gas entrapment and to avoid physical handling of the
Autocatalytic Autocatalytic
(Typical) per
primary significant surfaces.
Copper Nickel-
Test Method
Phosphorus
D 4935 7.3 Drying—Following coating, the parts may be dried with
warm air currents. Drying temperature shall not exceed the
1 1 μm min 0.25 μm min 80-100 dB FCC/VDE
Class B
heat distortion temperature of the substrate. Wetting agents
2 1 μm min 1.5 μm min 80-100 dB Harsh
may be used to enhance water shedding provided they do not
Environment
interfere with subsequent paint adhesion.
3 2.5 μm min 0.25 μm min 90-110 dB MIL-STD-
461B
7.4 Storage—Following drying, all parts shall be stored in a
4 Optional/Not 1.0 μm min 50-70 dB FCC/VDE
clean dry area, protected from corrosive fumes and humidity
required Class A
prior to packaging and shipment.
B 904
8. Inspection 8.2.4 Adhesion—The coatings shall not peel o
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