Standard Test Method for Peel Strength of Metal Electroplated Plastics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The force required to separate a metallic coating from its plastic substrate is determined by the interaction of several factors: the generic type and quality of the plastic molding compound, the molding process, the process used to prepare the substrate for electroplating, and the thickness and mechanical properties of the metallic coating. By holding all others constant, the effect on the peel strength by a change in any one of the above listed factors may be noted. Routine use of the test in a production operation can detect changes in any of the above listed factors.  
The peel test values do not directly correlate to the adhesion of metallic coatings on the actual product.  
When the peel test is used to monitor the coating process, a large number of plaques should be molded at one time from a same batch of molding compound used in the production moldings to minimize the effects on the measurements of variations in the plastic and the molding process.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method gives two procedures for measuring the force required to peel a metallic coating from a plastic substrate. One procedure (Procedure A) utilizes a universal testing machine and yields reproducible measurements that can be used in research and development, in quality control and product acceptance, in the description of material and process characteristics, and in communications. The other procedure (Procedure B) utilizes an indicating force instrument that is less accurate and that is sensitive to operator technique. It is suitable for process control use.  
1.2 The tests are performed on standard molded plaques. This method does not cover the testing of production electroplated parts.  
1.3 The tests do not necessarily measure the adhesion of a metallic coating to a plastic substrate because in properly prepared test specimens, separation usually occurs in the plastic just beneath the coating-substrate interface rather than at the interface. It does, however, reflect the degree that the process is controlled.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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31-Aug-2009
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ASTM B533-85(2009) - Standard Test Method for Peel Strength of Metal Electroplated Plastics
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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: B533 − 85 (Reapproved 2009) Endorsed by American
Electroplaters’ Society
Endorsed by National
Association of Metal Finishers
Standard Test Method for
Peel Strength of Metal Electroplated Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B533; 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.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Test Method
1.1 Thistestmethodgivestwoproceduresformeasuringthe 3.1 A properly prepared standard test specimen, called a
force required to peel a metallic coating from a plastic plaque, is copper electroplated, with no additional metal
substrate. One procedure (Procedure A) utilizes a universal coating. The coated plaque is either tested as is, or it is
testingmachineandyieldsreproduciblemeasurementsthatcan conditioned by a low-temperature bake and then tested. The
be used in research and development, in quality control and coating is cut through to the plastic substrate in a way that
product acceptance, in the description of material and process forms two strips of coating (see Fig. 1). Each strip is peeled
characteristics, and in communications. The other procedure from the substrate at a right angle using an instrument that
(ProcedureB)utilizesanindicatingforceinstrumentthatisless indicates the force required to separate it from its substrate.
accurate and that is sensitive to operator technique. It is
4. Significance and Use
suitable for process control use.
4.1 Theforcerequiredtoseparateametalliccoatingfromits
1.2 The tests are performed on standard molded plaques.
plastic substrate is determined by the interaction of several
This method does not cover the testing of production electro-
factors: the generic type and quality of the plastic molding
plated parts.
compound, the molding process, the process used to prepare
1.3 The tests do not necessarily measure the adhesion of a
the substrate for electroplating, and the thickness and mechani-
metallic coating to a plastic substrate because in properly
cal properties of the metallic coating. By holding all others
prepared test specimens, separation usually occurs in the
constant, the effect on the peel strength by a change in any one
plastic just beneath the coating-substrate interface rather than
oftheabovelistedfactorsmaybenoted.Routineuseofthetest
at the interface. It does, however, reflect the degree that the
in a production operation can detect changes in any of the
process is controlled.
above listed factors.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 The peel test values do not directly correlate to the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
adhesion of metallic coatings on the actual product.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.3 When the peel test is used to monitor the coating
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
process, a large number of plaques should be molded at one
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
time from a same batch of molding compound used in the
2. Referenced Document
production moldings to minimize the effects on the measure-
ments of variations in the plastic and the molding process.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
5. Apparatus
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeB08onMetallic
5.1 Procedure A—A tension testing machine that has self-
and Inorganic Coatingsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.05 on
aligning grips and that has a loading range that includes the
Decorative Coatings.
forces to be measured, 5 to 200 N, shall be used to separate the
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally
coatingfromthesubstrate,andmeasuretheforcerequired.The
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as B533 – 85 (2004).
DOI: 10.1520/B0533-85R09.
machine shall meet the verification requirements of Practices
This test is also known as the Jacquet Test.Adetailed treatment of the test has 4,5
E4. The speed of separation of the crossarms of the machine
been published by Saubestre et al in Plating, Vol 52, 1965, p. 982.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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 sole source of supply of the Instron universal testing machine known to the
the ASTM website. committee at this time is Instron Corp., Canton, MA.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
B533 − 85 (2009)
FIG. 1 Plaque
NOTE 1—The separation strength of an unconditioned plaque will
shall be adjusted to give a separation rate of 25 6 3 mm/min.
change with time. The separation strength of a conditioned plaque may
The machine shall automatically and continuously record on a
change with time after conditioning.
chart the load on one coordinate and the amount of peel on the
other coordinate. The amount of peel may be obtained from
9. Procedure
calculation, using a known chart speed.
9.1 Moldtherequirednumberofplaquesusingthespecified
5.2 Procedure B—A spring-loaded, force-indicating instru-
molding compound and molding procedure.
ment with a measurement range that includes the force to be
NOTE 2—When the test is used as a control of the coating process,
measured, 5 to 200 N, shall be used to measure the force
commercially prepared plaques can be used.
required to separate the coating. The indicated force shall be
9.2 Clean, activate, and electroplate the plaques as speci-
accurate to 610 %.
fied. The thickness of the metallic coating in the test area (see
6. Sampling Fig. 1) shall be 40 6 4 µm.
6.1 A sampling procedure is not applicable to this test
NOTE 3—It is necessary to have a ductile copper coating to perform this
method. test. The thickness and uniformity of thickness of the metallic coating
directly influence the peel strength; therefore, in order to standardize this
test, the coating thickness is specified. If a different coating thickness is
7. Test Specimen
used, the results will not be comparable to other test results. It may be
7.1 Perform the test using a flat, molded plastic plaque such
necessary to use shielding during plating to obtain the required coating
thickness uniformity.
as shown in Fig. 1. Plaque dimensions may vary up to 610 %
provided that the edges of slit peel strips are not closer than 11
9.3 Cut through the coating along the dashed lines shown in
mm from any plaque edge.
Fig. 1, and also along the centerline so as to produce two
parallel strips of coating that are 25.00 6 0.25 mm wide and
8. Conditioning
approximately 75 mm long.
8.1 Condition the electroplated plaques requiring condition-
NOTE 4—Following are methods that can be used to cut the coating:
ing by baking for1hinanair-circulating oven operated at
(a) Slit the coating with a milling machine equipped with a slitting
5,7
70 6 3°C. Place the plaques in the oven in a way that permits
saw. Operate the saw at a peripheral speed of 300 mm/s and a feed
...

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