Plating Process Specifications

HC 10- Rev 3
January 1st , 2024

Prepared By:

Jovany Grez: President

Tyrone Persaud: Foremen
Kevin Grez: Quality Control

Date – July 27, 2010,

Rev 1 – Feb 20th, 202
Rev 2 – April 18th, 2022
Rev 3 - January 1st, 2024
 Applicable specification/standards
AMS 2406 AMS 2460
AMS-QQ-C-320 MIL-STD-1501
ASTM-B-254 ASTM-B-177
ASTM F22 EES 6.8-1

1. Purpose
This document identifies Masterchrome Co. Ltd.’s Procedures for the applications of hard chromium plating on
ferrous alloys.
2. Classification
Type 1 – Plating to Finish size – No post Grinding
Type 2 – Over plating and Grinding to finish size

3. Chromium Coating Specifications

3.1 Deposit Thickness
• Chromium coating to be uniform in thickness, except for edges, recesses and corners, provided
finished dimensions are met
• Chromium deposition thickness tolerances are to be stated on the Purchase order or Part
Drawing; if the thickness is not
specified Upon arrival, the Customer will be contacted, and the item will be placed on hold
3.2 Chromium appearance
• Chromium to be visually uniform in appearance with a fine, bright, smooth finish
• Free from pits, pinholes, blisters, burns, Dents and or other defects
• Minor discoloration or superficial stains produced from post-plating rinsing or embrittlement baking
will not be
cause for rejection
3.3 Hardness
• Chromium deposits to be a minimum Harness of 900 HV (66.5 HRC) - tested monthly in
accordance with ASTM E-384
4. Adhesion Test (Upon Request)
In accordance with the Bend test to AMS 2406, the adhesion shall meet the requirements of the ASTM B571
Bend Test method with
no mandrel. When examined at a magnification of approximately 4X, neither the chromium plating nor any
electrodeposited underplate(s) shall show separation from the basis metal or each other. The formation of
cracks in
the plating or the basis metal that do not result in flaking, peeling, or blistering of plated layers shall not cause
rejection. Where separate test coupons are plated for adhesion testing, they shall be processed through each
step of the
entire plating process with the batch of parts.
Plating adhesion shall be determined on a test coupon (size approximately 1 inch x 4 inches x 0.040inch).
The test
coupon shall be of the same material and heat-treated condition as the part and shall be processed through
the entire
plating process with each part or with each batch of parts

5. Equipment Requirements
5.1 Chromium plating tank with appropriate PVC lining
5.2 Lead anodes made from lead with 6% antimony or tin
5.3 Rectifiers – with no more than 10% ripple, with proper controls to regulate amperage and volts
5.4 Heating/Cooling system – with an average temperature of 120F – 140F
5.5 Solution agitation for consistent solution concentration and stable temperature

6. Masterchrome Co. Ltd. Hard Chromium Plating Procedures

6.1 Incoming Inspection
• Upon arrival, parts are visually inspected for any cosmetic defects
• Once visual inspection has been completed, an Inspection report is performed, Dimensions,
Materials, Process required
• and the number of parts is documented
• If the item fails incoming inspection, the Customer will be notified immediately, a n d t h e item will be placed on
“HOLD.”
6.2 Cleaning, Sandblasting, Masking, Racking
• Parts are scrubbed with an abrasive pad and masked with Appropriate masking tapes (PVC,
Lead/Aluminum) to ensure
compatibility with the base material and protected no plated surfaces,
• If required, Parts are to be sandblasted with 80 – 180 grit aluminum oxide
• A water break Test (ASTM F22) - Withdraw the part with the test surface in a vertical position from
the container
of water or withdraw the flowing water source. Immediately upon removal from the water or removal
from the
 Flowing water source, observe the gravity flow of the water from the test surface for 60 seconds. The
surface is
considered free of contaminants by this test if the draining water layer remains a

Continuous film for 60 seconds

after removing the surface from the immersion container or removal of the dousing
water source.

6.3 Racking
• Racking to be oriented to provide adequate current to the part without causing
resistance and overheating, the
The ampacity of the rack will not be below five amps per square inch of plating surface area.
• Racking orientation to avoid/ minimize hydrogen gas pockets forming on the surface being plated
• Suitable anode to cathode distance, current robbers, and part spacing to be
utilized to achieve uniform coating thickness

6.4 Activation of Steel and stainless steel

Low-alloy steels, stainless steels, and surface-hardened steels are to be activated using the
reverse etch method inside the chromium plating tank at a rate of 1-3 amps per square inch for
60-90 seconds.

6.5 Hard chromium plating

Chromium will be deposited from a conventional -single catalyst Hexavalent solution.
Chromic Acid Concentration 240 – 300 g/L
Sulfuric acid concentration 2.4 – 3g/L
Ratio (Chromic Acid / Sulfuric Acid ) 100:1
Trivalent chrome < 3.6 g/L
Metallic impurities <7.5 G/L
Temperature 120F – 140F
Cathode Current Density 1-5 A/In2
6.5.1 Inspect the Chromium plating bath surface for impurities prior to submerging.
6.5.2 Submerge Rack/Fixture containing part(s) into chromic acid solution,
6.5.3 Allow Part to reach plating tank temperature
6.5.4 Reverse etch submerged part(s) at 1-3 A/in2 for 30 sec – 3 minutes (based on substrate material)
6.5.5 If the current ramp is required, hold the current at 2 ½ volts for 5 mins. Ramp current ½ a volt every 30
seconds until the optimal
6.5.6 current density is achieved
If Chrome strike is required, apply 2-5 amps per square inch of current on part(s) for 30sec – 5 mins and
reduce to
optimal current density
 6.5.7 Document rectifier Amperage/voltage, Temperature, and estimated plating time
6.5.8 Deposition is to be checked over the tank to ensure the thickness is suitable as per specification,
and sizes to be documented
along with the total plating time
6.6 Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief
6.6.1
Chrome-plated steel parts are to be baked for hydrogen embrittlement relived at 375 F +/- 25F; the time
between Baking shall not exceed 4 hours, or as required by the customer or part specifications stated on the
drawing; if the part is too large for Masterchrome Co. Ltd oven, the part will be subcontracted to an
appropriate vendor with approval from end-use

6.7 Final Inspection

Final inspection to be performed by Quality control inspector at Masterchrome Co. Ltd to the set standards
specified on the Purchase order

6.7.1 Once Parts pass final inspection, all documentation will follow part(s) to shipping (Inspection report,
CofC, H/E Oven Chart). Records will be kept for no more than 7 years.
6.7.2 When additional testing is required by the customer ( Adhesion test, NDT Test: Thickness: magnetic
induction principle (Ferrous) Micrometer measurement (Non-Ferrous)-, Hardness test) for standard compliance,
samples are to be prepared for each batch of chromium-plated parts and examined

6.7.3 Visual Examination and plating thickness shall be conducted for each lot or as per the customer purchase
order specification; the visual examination will evaluate
• The plating is firmly bonded to the bare metal
• Smooth and uniform in appearance
• Bright and free from frosty areas, pinholes, nodules, blisters, and other imperfections detrimental
to the performance of the deposit

If the number of nonconforming parts exceeds the acceptance number for the sampling according to the customer’s
purchase
order specification, the lot represented by the sample shall be rejected

6.7.3 All Nuclear and aerospace work to be inspected for coating appearance and thickness in

6.8 Packaging and shipping

Parts will be returned to the customer in the same condition and packaging they were initially
received in. Surfaced chrome-plated parts will be wrapped to protect and preserve the coating
from damage during handling.

7 Stripping
Parts that require chrome plating removal will be stripped in a sodium hydroxide stripping.
 The solution, upon completion, is for the parts to be baked within 4 hours of stripping only
when required by the customer.

HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT BAKING CHARTS

All Chrome Plated Steel Parts Shall be baked for hydrogen Embrittlement relief at 375°F +/-25°F
(NOTE: THIS IS MIN REQUIREMENT CHART – P/O, Drawing, Etc. Prevails over These Charts)

Baking Requirements For AMS2406

Tensile strength , KSI (HRC) HOURS
Under 159 KSI (Under 36 HRC) Not Required
160 – 182 KSI (36 – 39) 3
182 – 221 KSI ( 40 – 45 HRC) 8
Over 221 KSI ( Over 46 HRC) 23

Baking Requirements For AMS-QQ-C-320

Tensile strength , KSI (HRC) HOURS
Under 159 KSI (Under 36 HRC) Not Required
160 – 182 KSI (36 – 39) 3
182 – 221 KSI ( 40 – 45 HRC) 8
Over 221 KSI ( Over 46 HRC) 23

Baking Requirements for AMS 2406

Material Tensile Strength, KSI (HRC) Hours

AISI 1095 180 KSI (40 HRC) Or Higher 8
AF1410, HP 9Ni-4Co-0.3C, Aermet 100 All 8
Low Strength Carbon, Low-Alloy, Tool 180 KSI (40 HRC) Or Higher 3
Steel
High Strength Carbon, Low-Alloy, Tool 220 KSI (46 HRC) Or Higher 23
Steel
Low Strength Martensitic Stainless 180 KSI (40 HRC) Or Higher 3
High Strength Martensitic Stainless 220 KSI (46 HRC) Or Higher 8
17-7 PH, 15-7PH, 17-4PH, 15-5PH CH900, H900, H925, H950,RH950 8
Custom 455 & 465, PH13-8MO SS H950, H1000 8

Baking Requirements for EES 6.8-1

Tensile strength, KSI (HRC) Hours
135 – 180 KSI (30 - 39 HRC) 4
180 – 220 KSI (39 – 44 HRC) 8
Over 220 KSI (Over 44 HRC) 12