ASTM B699-86(2003) - 10.2.2003
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for a cadmium coating vacuum-deposited on iron and steel basis metals. The coating is especially beneficial to those ferrous metals, heat treated to 46HRC and higher or having an ultimate tensile strength greater than 1500 MPa, wherein protection against corrosion and appearance are important (see Appendix X1).

1.2 Vacuum-deposited production items are normally free of hydrogen embrittlement, a danger when using electroplating processes for deposition. Vacuum deposition can handle large high-strength parts that cannot be conveniently mechanically plated in the rotating barrels.

1.3 The coating is provided in various thicknesses up to and including 12 μm (3.1) either in the as-deposited condition or with a supplementary finish (3.2).

1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 9, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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

B117-26a

Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus (Includes all amendments and changes 9/22/2026).

B567-98(2021)

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

B201-80(2024)

Standard Practice for Testing Chromate Coatings on Zinc and Cadmium Surfaces

B242-99(2025)

Standard Guide for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for Electroplating

B254-26

Standard Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel

B320-25

Standard Practice for Preparation of Iron Castings for Electroplating

B322-99(2025)

Standard Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating

B697-88(2021)

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

E396-24

Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Cadmium

F519-23

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

B568-98(2021)

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

B504-90(2023)

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

B571-23

Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings

B602-21

Standard Guide for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B440-12(2021)

Standard Specification for Cadmium

B487-24

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

B499-09(2026)

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

B183-18(2022)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for Electroplating