ASTM B604-91(2008) - 1.8.2008
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for several grades and types of electrodeposited copper plus nickel plus chromium coatings on plateable plastic substrates where appearance, durability and resistance to thermal cycling are important to service performance. Five grades of coatings are provided to correlate with the service conditions under which each is expected to provide satisfactory performance.

1.2 This specification covers the requirements for coatings applied subsequent to the application of metal film by autocatalytic deposition or subsequent to the application of any strike coatings after autocatalytic deposition.

1.3 The following caveat pertains only to the test method portions of Section 6, Annex A1, and Appendix X2, Appendix X3, and Appendix X4 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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

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

B504-90(2023)

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

B530-09(2021)

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

B532-85(2026)

Standard Specification for Appearance of Electroplated Plastic Surfaces

B556-90(2023)

Standard Guide for Measurement of Thin Chromium Coatings by Spot Test

B567-98(2021)

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

B568-98(2021)

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

B602-21

Standard Guide for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B659-90(2026)

Standard Guide for Measuring Thickness of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B727-04(2020)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Plastics Materials for Electroplating

B533-85(2024)

Standard Test Method for Peel Strength of Metal Electroplated Plastics

D1193-24

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

E50-25

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

B368-21

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

B764-04(2021)

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