ASTM B867-95(2008) - 1.8.2008
 
1. Scope

1.1 Composition—This specification covers requirements for electrodeposited palladium-nickel coatings containing between 70 and 95 mass % of palladium metal. Composite coatings consisting of palladium-nickel and a thin gold overplate for applications involving electrical contacts are also covered.

1.2 Properties—Palladium is the lightest and least noble of the platinum group metals. Palladium-nickel is a solid solution alloy of palladium and nickel. Electroplated palladium-nickel alloys have a density between 10 and 11.5, which is substantially less than electroplated gold (17.0 to 19.3) and comparable to electroplated pure palladium (10.5 to 11.8). This yields a greater volume or thickness of coating per unit mass and, consequently, some saving of metal weight. The hardness range of electrodeposited palladium-nickel compares favorably with electroplated noble metals and their alloys (1, 2).

Note 1—Electroplated deposits generally have a lower density than their wrought metal counterparts.

Approximate Hardness (HK25)

Gold

50–250

Palladium

75–600

Platinum

150–550

Palladium-Nickel

300–650

Rhodium

750–1100

Ruthenium

600–1300

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 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

B571-23

Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings

B343-26

Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel for Electroplating with Nickel

B322-99(2025)

Standard Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating

B281-88(2025)

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

B254-26

Standard Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel

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

D1125-23

Standard Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Resistivity of Water

D3951-18(2023)

Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging

B762-21

Standard Guide of Variables Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B765-03(2023)

Standard Guide for Selection of Porosity and Gross Defect Tests for Electrodeposits and Related Metallic Coatings

B798-26

Standard Test Method for Porosity in Gold or Palladium Coatings on Metal Substrates by Gel-Bulk Electrography

B799-95(2025)

Standard Test Method for Porosity in Gold and Palladium Coatings by Sulfurous Acid/Sulfur-Dioxide Vapor

B809-25

Standard Test Method for Porosity in Metallic Coatings by Humid Sulfur Vapor (“Flowers-of-Sulfur”)

B827-26

Standard Practice for Conducting Mixed Flowing Gas (MFG) Environmental Tests

B489-85(2023)

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

B507-14(2021)

Standard Practice for Design of Articles to Be Electroplated on Racks

B542-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their Use

B558-25

Standard Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating

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

B697-88(2021)

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

B741-95(2000)

Standard Test Method for Porosity In Gold Coatings On Metal Substrates By Paper Electrography (Withdrawn 2005)

B748-90(2021)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by Measurement of Cross Section with a Scanning Electron Microscope

B374-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Electroplating

B481-24

Standard Practice for Preparation of Titanium and Titanium Alloys for Electroplating

B482-25

Standard Practice for Preparation of Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys for Electroplating

B487-24

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

B488-18(2025)

Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Gold for Engineering Uses

B845-97(2024)

Standard Guide for Mixed Flowing Gas (MFG) Tests for Electrical Contacts

B849-02(2023)

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

B850-98(2022)

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