STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR ELECTROPLATING OF BRIGHT NICKEL, BRIGHT NICKEL AND TRIVALENT CHROMIUM

Scope: We provide full transparency to our customers. Our quality standards play a key role in making sure the needs of our partners and their customers are met or even surpassed. This specification defines performance requirements for Capron Components which require electroplating of Bright Nickel, Bright Nickel and Trivalent Chromium Finish.

References:

  1. Standard Practice for Preparation of Low Carbon Steel for Electroplating ASTM B-183
  2. Standard Specification for Electroplating of Bright Nickel and Chromium, ASTM B456-95, Class I
  3. ASTM B 556 Measurement of Thin Chromium Coatings by Spot Test
  4. ASTM B-117 Standard method of salt spray testing for corrosion resistance
  5. Plating coating complies with European REACH Regulation EC 1907/2006, protecting the environment and human health

All of the following requirements must be met to achieve acceptable quality. No one requirement, exclusive of others, is capable of insuring satisfactory performance.

All part testing requirements apply to those areas of the part identified as a significant surface unless otherwise specified.

THE FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTICS WILL BE MEASURED AND KEPT ON FILE.

  1. Cleaning Prior to Electroplating:
    • As part of our electroplating process, steel parts shall be cleaned using principles defined in ASTM B 183.
  2. Nickel and Chrome Plating Adhesion Test (ASTM B 571)
    • Bend Testing: No peeling, flaking, or lift-off of the electroplate from the substrate or between the layers of the electroplate is permitted.
    • Grind saw Test: No lifting or peeling of the electroplate from the substrate or between layers of the electroplate is permitted.
    • The electroplating process can be deemed as perfect if the bonding between the coating and substrate is stronger than the cohesive strength of either.  We reach this standard by following strict electroplating practices.
  3. Nickel and Chrome Plating Thickness (ASTM B 487, ASTM B 556)
    • The plating thickness on significant surfaces shall be checked at locations specified per part. Total nickel applied 0.1 mils (.0001 inch) minimum.
      Total chromium applied 0.007mils (.000007 inch) minimum.
  4. Nickel and Chrome Plating Corrosion Protection
    • Parts must meet minimum corrosion requirement of 8 hours salt spray test as performed in accordance with ASTM B-117; Service Condition 1 (SC-1)