Anodizing
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MIL-A-8625 ¶4.3.1 requires analysis of all process baths to be done at
least bi-weekly. Test results and additions are to be recorded and
available for inspection. This is the minimum process control
requirement for any anodizing line.
Datalab is routinely testing soap tanks, including chemistries from
Enthone, MacDermid, OMG Fidelity and others. We also test nitric
acid based deoxidation, stripping and etching tanks. For Class 2
processes, we test various dyes. We also test chemfilm, including
Alodine 600 and Alodine 1200. Of course we also test anodize baths
based on sulfuric, chromic and oxalic acids. We also test other
special prep and processing tanks including electropolish.
The performance of anodizing baths and the properties of the
coating are negatively impacted by metallic impurities which build
up due to etching of base materials in the baths, as well as drag in
and other sources of contamination. Datalab recommends that tests
for Al, Cr, Ni, Cl, Cu, Fe and NO3 be performed along with the
sample testing or with the monthly coupon testing.
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Electroless
Nickel
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AMS-C-26074 ¶3.3.1.2: and MIL-C-26074 specifically require a test
plan to be established by supplier and approved by customer. ASTM
B733 ¶6.5.1 specifies bath temperature, pH, nickel concentration
and sodium hypophosphite concentration be tested and maintained.
Nickel contration is to be maintained between optimum and
optimum-10%. Hypo concentration is to be maintained between
optimum and optimum-10%. Of course, MetalChem, OMG Fidelity,
MacDermid, Enthone and Atotech, to name a few, also require tight
regulation of nickel and hypo to ensure plating results. Datalab is
experienced in testing all of these manufacturer’s ENi baths, and will
work with you to generate a test plan that is validated by statistical
analysis. We will periodically test bath samples for nickel and hypo to
confirm your in-house results: this is normally done along with
periodic specimen testing (salt spray, abrasion, etc.). In addition to
the ENi bath, the nitric and zincate baths are critical to process
performance. Datalab is familiar with zincate chemistries from
Enthone, MacDermid, Atotech, OMG Fidelity and MetalChem and
we are able to use both generic tests (NaOH) or vendor-specific test
methods as required.
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Electroplated
Nickel
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From the early days, FED QQ-N-290 required processors to keep
records of all chemical concentrations and additions, and this
remains a requirement for certification to any of the AMS or ASTM
specifications for nickel plating. Datalab is intimately familiar with all
of the nickel chemistries. We routinely test for nickel sulfamate, nickel
sulfate, nickel chloride, boric acid, wetters, and a host of impurities in
a host of bath types. Whether you are working with MacDermid’s
Barrett Sulfamate Nickel, MetalChem’s Meta-Plate Sulfamate, or one
of the in-house Woods or Watts chemistries, we have the experience
to help. We also routinely perform AA tests for a range of impurities
that poison nickel baths.
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Cadmium
Plating
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Whether you are certifying the FED QQ-P-416, the AMS 2400, or
other cadmium specifications, Datalab can help. We routinely test for
CdO, NaCN and NaOH in cadmium chemistries including those
based on Atotech’s ROHCO 20-XL and other brighteners. If you are
doing in-house testing, we can confirm your results by testing bath
samples when panels are submitted for periodic salt spray testing.
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Gold Plating
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If you certify to MIL-G-45204, ASTM B488, AMS 2422, or any other
gold plating specification, you are required to keep your baths in
control by regular analysis and additions. It is particularly important
to keep conducting salts in control ranges and to closely monitor
impurities that can affect the plating: Pb, Cr, Cu and Fe in both hard
and soft gold, and Co and Ni in soft gold. The impurity tests can be
done by AA when the metal concentration is tested (also by AA).
Some of our clients use amp-time meters to make blind adds, and
then true up their tanks with Datalab’s periodic AA analysis.
Conducting salts affect cathode efficiency, which in turn affects
plating time and energy costs, and the concentration of conducting
salts can be easily tested using volumetric analysis (i.e. titration) or
specific gravity tests. Datalab is familiar with the test methods
recommended by Technic, Enthone, and other precious metal
vendors.
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Copper
Plating
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Whether you cert to the venerable MIL-C-14550, ASTM B734, AMS
2418 or one of the other copper plating specifications, you are
required to "specify frequency and analysis methods and establish
periodic test plans". Datalab can help. We routinely test acid copper
and cyanide copper baths. We are familiar with the Rohm-Haas
Copper Gleam and Cuposit, Enthone’s Cupralite and UBAC WC,
Atotech’s Copper Lume, MacDermid CuMac and a few home brews.
In the acid baths, we test copper sulfate, sulfuric acid and impurities.
In the cyanide copper we test for copper metal and potassium
cyanide.
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Zinc Plating
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Whether you cert to the QQ-Z-325, ASTM B633 or the AMS 2402 you
must test cleaning and plating solutions to ensure plating
conformance to specifications. At Datalab we test acid zinc, black
zinc, chloride zinc and cyanide zinc baths.
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Chrome
Plating
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FED QQ-C-320 requires the processor to maintain bath records
showing analysis results and chemical additions as does the AMS
2460 specification. Datalab routinely tests both hexavalent and
trivalent chromium chemistries
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Tin Plating
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AMS 2408 ¶4.2.2 requires periodic tests of cleaning and plating
solutions to ensure results as does the MIL-T-10727. Datalab is
familiar with a number of tin plating baths including the Rohm-Haas
Sat-Tin chemistry and the MacDermid Tin Mac chemistry. We are
also able to test tin-lead baths for clients certifying to MIL-P-81728.
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Silver Plating
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QQ-S-365, ASTM B700, and the various AMS specifications (AMS
2410, AMS 2411, AMS 2412) all require periodic testing of both
cleaning and plating solutions used in the silver process. We are
familiar with the Enthone Silvrex chemistry, the Rohm-Haas Silver
Glo, and proprietary mixes. We use AA to test for silver metal and we
recommend specific additions of either silver cyanide or potassium
silver cyanide per customer requirements. In the silver bath, we
analyze for free cyanide and potassium carbonate to keep your bath
operating perfectly. We also analyze the chromate conversion baths
use for tarnish protection, including the MacDermid Iridite 14 and
the Henckel Alodine family.
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Chemfilm
Chromate
Conversion
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MIL-DTL-5541 and the earlier MIL-C-5541 both specifically require
weekly analysis of chemical concentrations, pH, and temperature in
all process solutions. We routinely test Henckel Alodine 600, 1200
and 1500. We can also test MacDermid Iridite 14 and other
chromate baths.
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Passivation
for Stainless
Steel Parts
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Whether Citric or Nitric, we can test it. ASTM A967 ¶5.5.2 requires
bath records of both concentration and temperature of the
passivation solution be maintained for each lot of stainless steel parts
processed.
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