Electroless Nickel

Definition: Definition Electroless Nickel Plating is an auto-catalytic chemical technique used to deposit a layer of nickel-phosphorus without an external current. This process produces coatings of uniform thickness which is beneficial when plating irregularly shaped objects, holes, recesses, internal surfaces, valves or threaded holes. Electroless nickel is more corrosion resistant then traditional electrolytic nickel.

Mil-C-26074

Classifications

  • Class 1 – As plated with no subsequent heat treatment

  • Class 3 – Aluminum alloys non heat treatable, beryllium alloys processed to improve adhesion of the nickel deposit

  • Class 4 – Aluminum alloys heat treatable, processed to improve adhesion of the nickel deposit

  • Grade A – 0.0010 inch minimum deposit thickness

  • Grade B – 0.0005 inch minimum deposit thickness

  • Grade C – 0.0015 inch minimum deposit thickness

ASTM B733

Classifications

  • Type I – no requirement of phosphorus
  • Type IV – 5-9% phosphorus (medium)

JMD uses a medium phosphorus content electroless nickel to obtain a bright appearance, while remaining magnetic and retaining good solder-ability and moderate corrosion resistance

  • SC0 – Minimum thickness 0.000004″

  • SC1 – Light Service 0.0002″ minimum

  • SC2 – Mild Service 0.0005″ minimum

  • SC3 – Moderate Service 0.001″ minimum

  • SC4 – Severe Service 0.003″ minimum

  • Class 1 – As deposited no heat treatment

  • Class 3 – Heat treatment at 180* to 200* C for 2 to 4 hours to improve coating adhesion and to provide hydrogen embrittlement relief

  • Class 4 – Heat treatment at 120* to 130* C for at least 1 hour of heat treatable (age-hardened) aluminum alloys and carburized steel to increase adhesion

  • Class 5 – Heat treatment at 140* to 150* C for non age-hardened aluminum alloys and beryllium to improve coating adhesion

  • Class 6 – Heat treatment at 300 to 320°C (572-608°F) for at least 1-hr to improve coating adhesion for titanium alloys.

AMS-2404 (supersedes AMS-Mil-26074)

Classifications

  • Class 1: As-deposited, no heat treatment.

  • Class 3: Heat treatment at 180 to 200°C (356-392°F) for 2 to 4-hr to improve coating adhesion on steel and to provide for hydrogen embrittlement relief.

  • Class 4: Heat treatment at 120 to 130°C (248-266°F) for at least 1-hr to increase adhesion of heat-treatable (age-hardened) aluminum alloys (such as 7075) and carburized steel.

  • Class 5: Heat treatment at 140 to 150°C (284-302°F) for at least 1-hr to improve coating adhesion for aluminum, non age-hardened aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys and beryllium.

  • Class 6: Heat treatment at 300 to 320°C (572-608°F) for at least 1-hr to improve coating adhesion for titanium alloys

  • Grade A – 0.0010-inch minimum deposit thickness

  • Grade B – 0.0005-inch minimum deposit thickness

  • Grade C – 0.0015-inch minimum deposit thickness

Available Processes

  • Hand-line

Notes: JMD electroless nickel is RoHS compliant. JMD can provide corrosion testing according to ASTM B117 per request.

Nickel

Definition: Nickel Plating is a electrolytic process that has a reflective, high luster, decorative finish. JMD uses a Watts nickel application which provides excellent bright deposits that are wear and corrosion resistant. Nickel can be used to build up undersized or worn parts and commonly used on hand tools, appliances, hardware and plumbing supplies.

QQ-N-290

Classifications

  • Class 1 – corrosion protective plating

  • Class 2 – engineering plating

  • Grade A – 0.0016 minimum thickness

  • Grade B – 0.0012 minimum thickness

  • Grade C – 0.0010 minimum thickness

  • Grade D – 0.0008 minimum thickness

  • Grade E – 0.0006 minimum thickness

  • Grade F – 0.0004 minimum thickness

  • Grade G – 0.0002 minimum thickness

Class 1 categories

  • SB – single layer bright nickel deposits
  • SD – single layer dull or semi-bright deposits
  • M – multilayer nickel deposits

ASTM B689

Classifications

  • Type 1- nickel deposits plated from solutions free of brightneers hardeners or stress control additives
  • Type 2- nickel deposits plated from solutions containing sulfur, or other codepostited additives
  • Type 3- nickel deposits contianing dispersed submcron particles such as silicon carbide, tungsten carbide or aluminum carbide to increase hardness or wear resistance

Available Processes

  • Hand-line

Notes: Nickel is a RoHS compliant metal finish. JMD can provide corrosion testing according to ASTM B117 per request.

Tin

Definition: Tin is a soft, malleable, solderable deposit that is electrolytically applied to substrates. It is used for its resistance to corrosion, tarnishing and has the ability to preserve low contact resistance.

Mil-T-10727

Classification

  • Type I-Electro deposited tin

ASTM B545-13

Mil-T-10727 was canceled in February of 1997, and the cancellation notice directs users to ASTM B545.

Classifications

KEY: Class – Minimum thickness, Typical applications

  • A – 2.5um or 0.0001″, Mild service conditions, providing corrosion and tarnish resistance, coatings that are not to be soldered
  • B – 5um or 0.0002″, Mild service conditions, coating that helps facilitate the soldering of electrical components, surface preparation for protective painting
  • C – 8um or 0.00032″, Moderate exposure conditions, usually indoors, retention of solderablitly of solderable articles during storage
  • D – 15um or 0.0006″, Severe service, exposure to dampness and mild corrosion from environment
  • E – 30um or 0.0012″, Very severe sercie conditions, including elevated temperatures, exposed to corrosive ligquies, atmosphere or gases
  • F – 1.5um or 0.00006″, Similar to class A but for shorter term contact applications and short shelf life requirements

AMS 2408

  • 3.1.1 Steel parts having a hardness of 40 HRC or higher and which have been ground after heat treatment shall be cleaned to remove surface contamination and stress relieved before preparation for plating. Unless otherwise specified, the stress relief shall be 275F +/- 25F for not less than 5 hours for parts with hardness of 55 HRC or greater and 375F +/- 25F for not less than 4 hours for other parts.

  • 3.2.1 Except as stated in 3.2.1.2 or 3.2.2 tin shall be electrodeposited directly on the basis metal from a suitable tin plating bath.

  • 3.2.1.2 Aluminum and aluminum alloys shall be zinc treated in accordance with ASTM B253 or other method acceptable to the cognizant engineering organization prior to plating.

  • 3.2.2 Prior to electrodeposition of tin for solderability on aluminum or copper-zinc alloy parts, a copper plate shall be deposited to a thickness of 0.0002 to 0.0003 inch (5.1 to 7.6um)

  • 3.4.1.1. Plate thickness may be specified by this specification number and a suffix number designating the minimum thickness in ten-thousandths of an inch (2.5um); thus, AMS 2408-1 designates a plate thickness of 0.0001 to 0.0003 inch, AMS 2408-6 designates a thickness of 0.0006 to 0.0008 inch, etc. A tolerance of 0.0002 inch will be allowed.

  • 3.4.1.2. Where “tin flash” is specified, plate thickness shall be approximately 0.0001 inch.

Available Processes

  • Hand-line

Note: JMD is offering a RoHS compliant Bright Tin plating.

Zinc

Definition: Zinc plating is a sacrificial protective coating which can be further protected by post-plate treatments such as chromates and sealers. It is considered an inexpensive means of protecting against corrosion.

ASTM B633-15

Thickness classes for coatings

KEY: Classification #, Service condition, Thickness

  • Fe/Zn 25, SC4 (very severe), 25um or 0.001″
  • Fe/Zn 12, SC3 (severe), 12um or 0.0005″
  • Fe/Zn 8, SC2 (moderate), 8 um or 0.0003″
  • Fe/Zn 5, SC1 (mild), 5 um or 0.0002″

Finish Type and corrosion resistance

KEY: Type – Description, Minimum salt spray hours

  • I – As-plated without supplementary treatments, –
  • II -With colored chromate coatings, 96
  • III – With colorless chromate conversion coatings, 12
  • V – With colorless passivate, 72
  • VI – With colored passivate, 120

Available Processes

  • Hand-Line
  • Large Capacity Manual Hoist-Line

Notes: All chromate conversion’s for zinc plating offered in both RoHS compliant and non RoHS compliant. JMD offers post plate sealers which can increase corrosion resistance to over 300 hours. JMD can provide corrosion testing according to ASTM B117 per request. JMD can bake parts on site for relieving hydrogen embrittlement.