Abstract

This specification establishes the requirements for autocatalytic (electroless) nickel-phosphorus coatings applied from acidic aqueous solutions to metallic products for use in engineering functions operating at elevated temperatures. The coatings covered here are alloys of nickel and phosphorus produced by self-sustaining autocatalytic chemical reduction with hypophosphite. The coatings are grouped into the following classification systems: types, which are based on the general composition with respect to phosphorus; service condition numbers, which are based on the severity of exposure to which the coating is intended to perform and the corresponding minimum thickness that will provide satisfactory performance; and post heat treatment class, which are based on post-plating heat treatment temperature and time to produce the desired adhesion and hardness improvements. Prior to plating, substrates should be pretreated by stress relief for reducing risks of hydrogen embrittlement, peening, and racking. The coatings shall be sampled and tested accordingly to evaluate both acceptance (appearance, thickness, adhesion, and porosity) and qualification requirements (composition, microhardness, and hydrogen embrittlement). Thickness shall be assessed either by microscopical method, a magnetic induction instrument, beta backscatter method, a micrometer, weigh-plate-weigh method, coulometric method, or X-ray spectrometry. Adhesion shall be examined either by bend, impact, or thermal shock tests. And porosity shall be inspected either by ferroxyl test, boiling water test, aerated water test, or alizarin test.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers requirements for autocatalytic (electroless) nickel-phosphorus coatings applied from aqueous solutions to metallic products for engineering (functional) uses.

1.2 The coatings are alloys of nickel and phosphorus produced by autocatalytic chemical reduction with hypophosphite. Because the deposited nickel alloy is a catalyst for the reaction, the process is self-sustaining. The chemical and physical properties of the deposit vary primarily with its phosphorus content and subsequent heat treatment. The chemical makeup of the plating solution and the use of the solution can affect the porosity and corrosion resistance of the deposit. For more details, see ASTM STP 265 (1) and Refs (2) (3) (4) and (5) .

1.3 The coatings are generally deposited from acidic solutions operating at elevated temperatures.

1.4 The process produces coatings of uniform thickness on irregularly shaped parts, provided the plating solution circulates freely over their surfaces.

1.5 The coatings have multifunctional properties, such as hardness, heat hardenability, abrasion, wear and corrosion resistance, magnetics, electrical conductivity provide diffusion barrier, and solderability. They are also used for the salvage of worn or mismachined parts.

1.6 The low phosphorus (2 to 4 % P) coatings are microcrystalline and possess high as-plated hardness (620 to 750 HK 100). These coatings are used in applications requiring abrasion and wear resistance.

1.7 Lower phosphorus deposits in the range between 1 and 3 % phosphorus are also microcrystalline. These coatings are used in electronic applications providing solderability, bondability, increased electrical conductivity, and resistance to strong alkali solutions.

1.8 The medium phosphorous coatings (5 to 9 % P) are most widely used to meet the general purpose requirements of wear and corrosion resistance.

1.9 The high phosphorous (more than 10 % P) coatings have superior salt-spray and acid resistance in a wide range of applications. They are used on beryllium and titanium parts for low stress properties. Coatings with phosphorus contents greater than 11.2 % P are not considered to be ferromagnetic.

1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.11 The following precautionary statement pertains only to the test method portion, Section 9, of this specification. 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.

X1.1.1 This test method will evaluate the resistance of the coating to abrasive wear. The test is performed by rotating a plated panel under rotating rubber wheels and weighing the panel after each 1000 cycles for weight loss. Duration of the test is 6000 cycles and it can be extended to 25 000 cycles for more complete results.

Note X1.1Variation in results have been attributed to the humidity in the laboratory and the storage conditions of the CS-10 wheels. Care should be taken to control the humidity between tests.

X1.1.2 The results are variable between tests and therefore three plated test specimens should be tested to 6000 cycles each. The results should be averaged without the first 1000 cycles and the abrasion wear resistance is reported as the weight loss in mg/1000 cycles (Taber Wear Index).

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

Military Standards

ISO Standards

ASTM Standards

B368 Test Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)

B374 Terminology Relating to Electroplating

B380 Test Method for Corrosion Testing of Decorative Electrodeposited Coatings by the Corrodkote Procedure

B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section

B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on Magnetic Basis Metals

B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method

B537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to Atmospheric Exposure

B567 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by the Beta Backscatter Method

B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spectrometry

B571 Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings

B578 Test Method for Microhardness of Electroplated Coatings

B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B667 Practice for Construction and Use of a Probe for Measuring Electrical Contact Resistance

B678 Test Method for Solderability of Metallic-Coated Products

B697 Guide for Selection of Sampling Plans for Inspection of Electrodeposited Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B762 Test Method of Variables Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B849 Specification for Pre-Treatments of Iron or Steel for Reducing Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement

B850 Guide for Post-Coating Treatments of Steel for Reducing the Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement

B851 Specification for Automated Controlled Shot Peening of Metallic Articles Prior to Nickel, Autocatalytic Nickel, or Chromium Plating, or as Final Finish

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D2670 Test Method for Measuring Wear Properties of Fluid Lubricants (Falex Pin and Vee Block Method)

D2714 Test Method for Calibration and Operation of the Falex Block-on-Ring Friction and Wear Testing Machine

D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging

D4060 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser

E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Spectrophotometry

E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, and Scleroscope Hardness

E156

E352 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Tool Steels and Other Similar Medium- and High-Alloy Steels

F519 Test Method for Mechanical Hydrogen Embrittlement Evaluation of Plating/Coating Processes and Service Environments

G5 Reference Test Method for Making Potentiostatic and Potentiodynamic Anodic Polarization Measurements

G31 Practice for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing of Metals

G59 Test Method for Conducting Potentiodynamic Polarization Resistance Measurements

G85 Practice for Modified Salt Spray (Fog) Testing

Keywords

autocatalytic; chemical nickel; coatings; conductive; corrosion resistance; electroless; functional; nickel; nickel phosphorus; wear resistance; Autocatalytic coatings--specifications; Electroless coatings; Engineered electrodeposited coatings--specifications; Metallic coatings--specifications;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 25.220.40 (Metallic coatings)

DOI: 10.1520/B0733-04R09

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ASTM B733