ASTM B490-09(2014)

Standard Practice for Micrometer Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodeposits

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is useful as one method of controlling some electroplating solutions. It serves to indicate the presence of contamination or some other adverse condition.  
4.2 Ductility measurements are of particular value when electroplated parts are to be subjected to moderate stress such as that involved in bolting an electroplated bumper to an automobile or when exposed to a wide range of fluctuating temperatures (thermal shock).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for measuring the ductility of electrodeposited foils.2  
1.2 This practice is suitable only for the evaluation of electrodeposits having low ductility.  
1.3 The obtained ductility values must only be considered semi-quantitative because this test has a significant operator dependence.  
1.4 This practice is best used for in-house process control where measurements are always made by the same operator. A change in ductility value can be used as an indication of possible changes in the electroplating solution.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2014
• ICS: 17.040.20 - Properties of surfaces
• ICS: 25.220.40 - Metallic coatings
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.10 - Test Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: B490 − 09 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Practice for
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Micrometer Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodeposits
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B490; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for measuring the 4.1 This practice is useful as one method of controlling
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ductility of electrodeposited foils. someelectroplatingsolutions.Itservestoindicatethepresence
of contamination or some other adverse condition.
1.2 This practice is suitable only for the evaluation of
electrodeposits having low ductility. 4.2 Ductility measurements are of particular value when
electroplated parts are to be subjected to moderate stress such
1.3 The obtained ductility values must only be considered
as that involved in bolting an electroplated bumper to an
semi-quantitative because this test has a significant operator
automobile or when exposed to a wide range of fluctuating
dependence.
temperatures (thermal shock).
1.4 This practice is best used for in-house process control
where measurements are always made by the same operator.A 5. Apparatus
change in ductility value can be used as an indication of
5.1 Micrometer, 25-mm with flat jaws to measure the
possible changes in the electroplating solution.
thickness and to compress the foil.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
5.2 Toolssuchasahandorpowershear,grindingwheel,file
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
or hack saw, to initiate separation of the foil from the basis
standard.
metal.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety
5.3 Pair of Sharp Scissors to cut the test specimens.
problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
6. Test Specimens
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
6.1 An electrodeposit shall be prepared using a basis metal
limitations prior to use.
with a smooth surface from which the electrodeposit can be
readilyseparated.Properpreparationofthesurfacefromwhich
2. Referenced Documents
the foil must be separated undamaged is critical. The deposit
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
shall be electroplated at an average current density and under
B456Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper
conditions (agitation, temperature, etc.) approximating those
Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
used on parts electroplated in the solution being tested. The
depositthicknessshallbe25-30µm.Thepanelsarepreparedas
3. Summary of Practice
in 6.2.
3.1 This practice consists of measuring the bend of a foil
6.2 The test panel must be properly passivated before
held between the jaws of a micrometer; these are closed until
plating to allow for separation of the subsequent deposit.
fracture or cracks appear.
Stainless steel, brass or nickel dipped in a chromic acid
solution (see Note 1) for approximately 1 minute can be used
as the basis metal. The panel should be properly rinsed before
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
plating. Entering the solution with current on is recommended
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
to prevent activation of the basis metal. When testing nickel
Test Methods.
deposits, other than rinsing, no post treatments shall be used.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally
An alternative method is described in Note 2.
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as B490–09. DOI:
10.1520/B0490-09R14.
2 NOTE 1—For convenience, an ordinary hexavalent chromium electro-
For a discussion of this test see Mohrnheim, A. F., “The Bend Test for
plating solution can be used for preparing the basis metal.
Measuring the Strain Limit of Surfaces,” Plating, Vol 50, 1963, pp. 1094–1099.
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NOTE 2—As an alternative basis metal, a piece of cold-rolled steel of
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
any convenient size, such as 100 by 150 mm, shall be properly cleaned,
contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on rinsed,aciddipped,rinsedandelectroplatedwithapproximately7.5µmof
the ASTM website. nickel. After rinsing, the specimen shall be cleaned anodically for
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