ASTM B177-01 - 10.11.2001
 
1. Scope

1.1 This guide provides information about the deposition of chromium on steel for engineering uses. This is sometimes called "functional" or "hard" chromium and is usually applied directly to the basis metal and is usually thicker than decorative deposits.

1.2 This guide is not intended as a standardized procedure, but as a guide for obtaining smooth, adherent coatings of chromium of a desired thickness while retaining the required physical and mechanical properties of the base metals. Specified chromium electrodeposits on ferrous surfaces are defined in Specification B 650.

1.3 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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

B281-88(2025)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Copper and Copper-Base Alloys for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings

B320-25

Standard Practice for Preparation of Iron Castings for Electroplating

B253-11(2022)

Standard Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating

B244-09(2021)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum and of Other Nonconductive Coatings on Nonmagnetic Basis Metals with Eddy-Current Instruments

B242-99(2025)

Standard Guide for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for Electroplating

B183-18(2022)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for Electroplating

MIL-S-13165B

Shot Peening of Metal Parts

F519-23

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

B851-04(2020)

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

B850-98(2022)

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

B849-02(2023)

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

B762-21

Standard Guide of Variables Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B697-88(2021)

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

B650-23

Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Engineering Chromium Coatings on Ferrous Substrates

B630-88(2021)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Chromium for Electroplating with Chromium

B602-21

Standard Guide for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B578-21

Standard Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Electroplated Coatings

B571-23

Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings

B568-98(2021)

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

B558-25

Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating

B507-14(2021)

Standard Practice for Design of Articles to Be Electroplated on Racks

B504-90(2023)

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

B499-09(2026)

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

B487-24

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

B481-24

Standard Practice for Preparation of Titanium and Titanium Alloys for Electroplating

B322-99(2025)

Standard Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating

B254-26

Standard Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel