Standard Test Method for Microhardness of Electroplated Coatings

ABSTRACT
This test method specifies the determination of the microhardness of metallic coatings upon various substrates (electroplated coatings). Measurements shall be made with the Knoop indenter under specified test loads, and the hardness shall be reported as a Knoop hardness number (HK).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the hardness of metallic coatings upon various substrates. The measurements are made with the Knoop indenter under a test load of 0.245 N (25 gf) or 0.981 N (100 gf).
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Status
Historical
Publication Date
30-Sep-2004
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
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ASTM B578-87(2004) - Standard Test Method for Microhardness of Electroplated Coatings
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:B578–87(Reapproved2004)
Standard Test Method for
Microhardness of Electroplated Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B578; 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 3.1.2 The thickness of the coating shall be at least 38 µm for
soft coatings such as gold, copper, and silver, and 25 µm for
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the hard-
hard coatings such as nickel, cobalt, iron, and hard gold. This
ness of metallic coatings upon various substrates. The mea-
is approximately equivalent to 0.6 times the length of the long
surements are made with the Knoop indenter under a test load
Knoop diagonal.
of 0.245 N (25 gf) or 0.981 N (100 gf).
3.1.3 Make the indentation near the center of the cross
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
section of the coating.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 No single test load is applicable to all coatings. Use a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
load of 0.245 N for soft coatings (from 50 to 300 HK) and a
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
load of 0.981 N for hard coatings (greater than 300 HK).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.1 A load of less than 0.245 N is not recommended.
2. Referenced Documents However, when the length of the diagonal is great enough at a
load of 0.245 N, which may occur for very soft coatings such
2.1 ASTM Standards:
as tin and indium, a lighter load or a lower magnification shall
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate-
be specified provided the requirements of 3.3 are met. When
rials
testing extremely hard coatings, a load greater than 0.981 N
3. Special Requirements
may be used provided this is specified in the purchase order.
The Knoop hardness number decreases appreciably with loads
3.1 In addition to the requirements listed herein, the test
from 0.245 N to 0.981 N especially for the higher hardness
method shall be performed in accordance with Test Method
numbers.
E384.
3.3 Measure the length of the long diagonal to within 0.25
3.1.1 The measurement shall be made on the cross section
µmor0.4 %,whicheverislarger,atthemagnificationspecified
with the long diagonal of the indentation parallel to the
in Test Method E384.
substrate using a Knoop indenter.
3.4 When readings are taken in a direction parallel to the
NOTE 1—When a nondestructive test is necessary, the measurement
substrate, space them from each other by at least the length of
may be made normal to the surface provided that the whole of the
thelongdiagonal.Whentworeadingsaretakeninthedirection
indentation is clearly delineated in the field of the microscope at the
of the short axis, separate them by at least the length of the
magnification specified in Test Method E384, and the coating thickness is
diagonal perpendicular to the substrate (short diagonal). In
at least 0.7 that of the long diagonal. The outlines of the indentation must
be sharp and undistorted by any mechanical effects resulting from the such cases, the distance from the substrate and from the outer
thinness of the coating such as “butterfly” fractures, etc. Values obtained
surface of the coating to an edge of the indentation shall be at
from measurements made normal to the electroplated surface may not be
least the width of the short diagonal.
equivalent to those obtained on microsections and are not, therefore,
3.5 If the electroplated coating is cracked, or if cracks or
reportable according to Section 6.
“butterfly” markings (see 7.2 of Test Method E384) appear
when the indentation load is applied or removed, the hardness
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB08onMetallic measurement is invalid.
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
Test Methods.
4. Preparation of Test Specimen
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2004. Published October 2004. Originally
4.1 Overplate the specimen to a thickness of at least 12 µm
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as B578 – 87 (1999).
DOI: 10.1520/B0578-87R04.
with a metal of a contrasting color whose hardness approxi-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
mates that of the coating.
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.
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