ASTM B456-03 - 10.4.2003
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers requirements for several types and grades of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chromium or nickel plus chromium coatings on steel, nickel plus chromium coatings on copper and copper alloys, nickel plus chromium coatings on Type 300 and 400 series stainless steel and copper plus nickel plus chromium coatings on aluminum and its alloys and zinc alloys for applications where both appearance and protection of the basis metal against corrosion are important. Five grades of coatings are provided to correspond with the service conditions under which each is expected to provide satisfactory performance: namely, extended very severe, very severe, severe, moderate, and mild. Definitions and typical examples of these service conditions are provided in Appendix X1.

1.2 This specification does not cover the requirements for the plating on plastics, see Specification B 604.

1.3 The following hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portions, Appendix X2, Appendix X3, Appendix X4, and Appendix X5 of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of 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

B183-18(2022)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for Electroplating

B242-99(2025)

Standard Guide for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for Electroplating

B252-26

Standard Guide for Preparation of Zinc Alloy Die Castings for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings

B253-11(2022)

Standard Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating

B254-26

Standard Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel

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

B368-21

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

B380-97(2023)

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

B487-24

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

B489-85(2023)

Standard Practice for Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodeposited and Autocatalytically Deposited Metal Coatings on Metals

B490-09(2026)

Standard Practice for Micrometer Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodeposits

B499-09(2026)

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

B504-90(2023)

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

G85-19

Standard Practice for Modified Salt Spray (Fog) Testing

D1193-24

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

D3951-18(2023)

Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging

B537-22

Standard Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to Atmospheric Exposure

B568-98(2021)

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

B571-23

Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings

B602-21

Standard Guide for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B604-24

Standard Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics

B659-90(2026)

Standard Guide for Measuring Thickness of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B697-88(2021)

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

B762-21

Standard Guide of Variables Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B764-04(2021)

Standard Test Method for Simultaneous Thickness and Electrode Potential Determination of Individual Layers in Multilayer Nickel Deposit (STEP Test)

B530-09(2021)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses by the Magnetic Method: Electrodeposited Nickel Coatings on Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Substrates

E50-25

Standard Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials