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Mil C 26074e
Mil C 26074e
INCH-POUND
I
MIL-C-26074E
30 OCTOBER 1990
SUPERSEDING
MIL-C-26074D
27 FEBRUARY 1989
MILITARY SPECIFICATION
COATINGS, ELECTROLESS NICKEL
REQUIREMENTS FOR
This specification is approved for use by all Departments
and Agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. SCOPE
1.1 $cop~. This specification covers the requirements for electroless (autocatalytic
chemical reduction) deposition of nickel-phosphorous alloy coatings on metal and
composite surfaces.
1.2 classification
1.2.1 Classes. The nickel coatings sha
treatment applied subsequent to plating.
Class 1 -
Class 2-
Class 3-
Class 4-
I be classified in accordance with the therms
As plated, no subsequent heat treatment: A bake for hydrogen
embrittlement relief is not considered a heat treatment.
Heat treated to obtain required hardness: May be used on all metals
not affected by heating to 500F and above.
Aluminum alloys nonheat-treatable, and beryllium alloys processed to
improve adhesion of the nickel deposit.
Aluminum alloys, heat-treatable, processed to improve adhesion of the
nickel deposit.
.,
Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions, and any pertinent
data which may be of use in improving this document) should be addressed to:
ASD/ENES, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-6503, by using the self-addressed
Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD Form 1426) appearing at
the end of this document or by letter.
AMSC N/A MFFP-0457
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release, distribution is
unlimited
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MIL-C-26074E
1.2.2 Grades. The nickel coatings shall be of the following grades:
Grade A - O.0010-inch minimum thickness.
Grade B - 0.0005-inch minimum thickness.
Grade C - 0.0015-inch minimum thickness.
2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
2.1 Government documents
2.1.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks.
The following specifications,
standards, and handbooks form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents shall be those listed
in the issue of the Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards
(DODISS) and supplement thereto, cited in the solicitation.
SPECJF.ICAIIONS
MILITARY
MIL-S-13165 - Shot Peening of Metal Parts
STANDARDS
MIUTARY
MLL-STD-l 05 - Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by
Attributes
(Unless otherwise indicated, copies of the military specifications and standards are
available from the Standardization Documents Order Desk, Building 4D, 700 Robbins
Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19111-5094).
(Copies of specifications, standards, handbooks, drawings, publications, and other
Government documents required by contractors in connection with specific acquisition
functions should be obtained from the contracting activity or as directed by the
contracting activity.)
2.2 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this
document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of the
documents, which are DOD adopted, are those listed in the DODISS cited in the
solicitation. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of the documents not listed in the
DODMS are the issues of the documents cited in the solicitation (see 6.2).
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MIL-C-26074E
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM)
ASTM B117
ASTM B487
ASTM B499
ASTM B567
ASTM B568
ASTM B571
ASTM B578
ASTM E18
ASTM E384
ASTM F519
Method Of Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coatings Thickness by
Microscopical Examination of a Cross Section, Method for
(DOD adopted)
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Coating
Thickness bythe Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic
Coatings on Magnetic Basis Metals (DOD adopted)
Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by the Beta
Backscatter Method
X-Ray Spectrometry (DOD adopted)
Test Methods for Adhesion of Metallic Coatings
Test Method for Microhardnessof Electroplated Coatings
Rockwell Hardness and Rockwell Superficial Hardness of
Metallic Materials, Tests for (DOD adopted)
Microhardness of Materials, Test Method for
Mechanical Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing of Plating
Processes and-Aircraft Maintenance Chemicals (DOD
adopted)
(Application for copies should be addressed to the American Society for Testing
and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia PA 19103-1137.)
(Non-Government standards and other publications are normally available from the
organizations which prepare or which distribute the documents. These documents also
may be available in or through libraries or other informational services.)
2.3 Order of Precedence. ln the event of a conflict between the text of this
.
document and the references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence.
Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless
a specific exemption has been obtained.
3. REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Materials
3.1.1 Metals and composites. Iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, beryliium,
titanium, and their alloys can be plated directly. Composites can be plated directly by
using special pretreatment to prevent the basis material from contaminating the bath
or to obtain adequate coating adhesion.
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MIL-C-26074E
3.1.2 Tensile strermth. All steel parts having an ultimate tensile stremzth of
220,000 psi, or above, shall not be coated without approval of the procuring activity.
3.2 Precoating procedures
3.2.1 General requirements
3.2.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, the coating shall be applied after all basis
metal heat treatments and mechanical operations such as machining, brazing, welding,
forming and perforating of the part have been completed.
3.2.1.2 Parts, prior to plating, shall be degreased, abrasive and/or alkaline cleaned,
and acid pickled as required to obtain maximum coating adhesion.
3.2.1.3 Hardness measurement. Prior to coating, steel parts shall be measured for
.
hardness in accordance with ASTM E18.
3.2.2 Stress relief heat treatment. Prior to cleaning and coating, all steel parts
having a hardness of Rockwell C40 or above, which have been machined, ground or
surface hardened (includes cold worked but not shot peened surfaces), shall be given
stress-relief heat treatment at a temperature that will produce maximum stress relief
without reducing the hardness to less than the specified minimum.
a
3.2.3 Shot peening. Prior to coating, all steel parts having a hardness of Rockwell
C40 or above used in fatigue applications and/or subject to stress corrosion shall be
shot peened in accordance with MIL-S-l 3165. Unless otherwise specified, the shot
peening shall be accomplished on all surfaces for which the coating is required and all
immediately adjacent surfaces when they contain notches, fillets or other abrupt
changes of section size where stresses will be concentrated.
3.3 Coating properties
3.3.1 General requirements
3.3.1.1 Manufacturers are given latitude in the selection of specific plating bath
formulations used for the chemical deposition of an amorphous nickel-phosphorous
metallic compound provided the coating obtained meets the requirements of this
specification.
3.3.1.2 Equipment, solutions, and process procedures shall be subject to the
approval of the procuring activity.
3.3.2 Thickness. Unless otherwise specified, minimum thickness of the nickel
coating shall be 0.0010 inch (0.026 mm) (grade A) for aluminum based alloys, 0.0005
inch (0.01 3 mm) (grade B) for copper,
and 0.0015 inch (0.039 mm) (grade C)
nickel, cobalt, titanium and beryllium alloys,
for iron-based alloys.
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MIL-C-26074E
3.3.3 Adhesion on metals. The coating adhesion after completion of all processing
and thermal treatments shall be such that when examined at a magnification of 4X,
the coating shall not show separation from the basis metal when tested in accordance
with ASTM B571 as specified in 4:5.2. It also shall be impossible to detach any area
of the coating with a sharp instrument on the outside radius of the bent-test specimen.
Formation of cracks that do not result in loss of plating adhesion is acceptable.
3.3.4 Corrosion resistance. Grade A coatings on aluminum alloys and grade C
coatings on iron alloys after plating and all required thermal treatments shall show no
visual evidence of corrosion of the basis metal when tested in accordance with 4.5.5.
3.4 Postcoating procedures
3.4.1 Hydrogen embrittiement relief bake. Within 4 hours after coating, coated
class 1 and class 2 steel parts that have a hardness of Rockwell C40 or above shall
require a hydrogen embrittlement relief bake at 375 F + 25 F for not less than 3
hours. Parts, including carburized parts, that will decre~se in hardness by heating to
375 F + 25 F shall be heated to 275 F + 15F for not less than 5 hours. When tested
in accordance with 4,5.4, the baked parts shall not crack or fracture.
3.4.2 Heat treatments
3.4.2.1 Class 2 hardness coatings. Class 2 coatings shall have a minimum hard-
ness of 800 knoop or equivalent vickers when tested in accordance with 4.5.3. Class 2
coatings on steel parts that have a hardness of Rockwell C40 or above are required to
be tested in accordance with 4.5.4 without cracking or fracture. The hardness can be
achieved by heating the part (see 4.5.4 and 6.3) within 4 hours after coating.
3.4.2.2 Class 3 coatings. Coated nonheat-treatable aluminum parts shall be
heated for 1 to 1.5 hours at 375F + 15F to improve adhesion of nickel deposit.
3.4.2.3 Class 4 coatings. Coated heat-treatable aluminum alloys shall be heated
between 240 F to 260F for 1 to 1.5 hours to improve adhesion of nickel deposit.
(NOTE: These alloy types and grades may undergo microstructural changes when
heated to 375F.)
3.5 Identification marking. When specified, the coated parts shall be marked with
a fluid not affected by water, or rub off, or smear during shipment or storage; and
shall carry a tag giving the following information:
a.
b.
c.
Basis material
Number of this specification.
Class and grade of coating.
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MIL-C-26074E
3.6 Workmanshi~
3.6.1 Basis material.
detrimental to the utility,
and coating.
3.6.2 Nickel coating.
The basis material shall be free from defects that will be
appearance, or serviceability of the finished product or part
The nickel coating shall be smooth, adherent, and free from
visible blisters, pits, nodules, porosity, cracks and other defects. All details of work-
manship shall conform to the best practices for high quality coating.
4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVKIONS
4.1 Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or
purchase order, the contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection
requirements (examinations and tests) as specified herein. Except as otherwise
specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor may use his own or any
other facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified
herein, unless disapproved by the Government. The Government reserves the right to
perform any of the inspections set forth in this specification where such inspections are
deemed necessary to ensure supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.
4.1.1 Responsibility for compliance. All items shall meet all requirements of
sections 3 and 5. The inspection set forth in this specification shall become a part of
the contractors overall inspection system or quality program. The absence of any
inspection requirements in the specification shall not relieve the contractor of the
responsibility for ensuring that all products or supplies submitted to the Government
for acceptance comply with all requirements of the contract. Sampling inspection, as
part of manufacturing operations, is an acceptable practice to ascertain conformance to
requirements, however, this does not authorize submission of known defective material,
either indicated or actual, nor does it commit the government to accept defective
material.
4.2 Classification of inspection. The inspection requirements specified herein are
classified as quality conformance inspection (see 4.4).
4.3 Inspection conditions. Unless otherwise specified, all inspections shall be
performed in accordance with the methods of inspection specified in 4.5.
4.3.1 Inspection lot. A lot shall consist of coated parts of the same type and
class, same basis material, and of approximately the same size and shape, coated un-
der the same conditions and by means of the same coating process, and submitted for
acceptance at one time.
4.3.2 Separate specimens. When the coated parts are of such form as to be not
readily adaptable to a test specified herein, or at the discretion of the inspector for
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MIL-C-26074E
destructive tests for the sampling of small lot sizes, the test may be made by the use
of separate specimens coated concurrently with the parts represented. The separate
specimens shall be of a basis material equivalent (see 6.6) to that of the parts
represented. For example, a cold-rolled steel surface shall not be used to represent a
hot-rolled steel surface; owing to the impracticability of forging or casting separate test
specimens, hot-rolled steel specimens may be used to represent forged and cast steel
parts. The separate specimens shall be strips approximately l-inch wide, 4-inches
long, and 0.04-inch thick except those required for determination of embrittlement
relief (see 4.5.4). These specimens shall be introduced into a lot at regular intervals
prior to the cleaning operations preliminary to coating and shall not be separated
therefrom until after completion of the processing.
4.4 Quality conformance inspection. Quality conformance inspections shall consist
of sampling plans A, B, C, D, and E.
4.4.1 Sampling plan A- Sampling procedures for visual examination and
nondestructive tests of coating thickness. Samples shall be selected from each lot (see
4.3.1) and acceptance of the lot shall be determined in accordance with inspection
level 11and acceptable quality level (AQL) 1.5 of MIL-STD-105. Periodic microscopic
destructive thickness and adhesion tests shall be performed asa referee method to
verify comparable nondestructive tests for the purpose of process control assurance.
4.4.1.1 Visual inspection. Each of the sample parts selected in accordance with
4.4.1 shall reexamined visually for conformance to requirements of 3.6.2.
4.4.1.2 Thickness (nondestructive tests). Each of the sample parts selected in
accordance with 4.4.1 shall be inspected, and the coating thickness measured in several
locations on each part in accordance with 4.5.1.2. The part shall be considered
nonconforming if one or more measurements fail to meet the specified minimum
thickness.
4.4.2 Sampling plan B- Sampling procedures for evaluating hydrogen embrittle-
ment relief destructive test - Class 1 and2, Ahydrogen embrittlement relief test sha]l
berunonce permonth ona random sample of 4parts as specified in 4.5.4.
4.4.3 Sampling plan C- Sampling procedure for adhesion tests. A random
sample of 4 parts shall be selected from each inspection lot which has more than 15
parts (see 4.3.1), or4 separately coated specimens shall be prepared in accordance
with 4.3.2 to represent each inspection lot. If the number of parts inan inspection lot
is 15 or less, the number of parts in the sample shall be 2 or 3 as determined by the
procuring activity.
4.4.3.1 Adhesion. Each part, orspecimen shall be tested as specified in 4.5.2.
Failure of oneor more of the test specimens shall constitute failure of the lot.
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4.4.4
MIL-C-26074E
Sampling plan D- Sampling procedure forwardness test.
-Class 2. A hardness test shall be run once a month, on four randomly selected
parts representing the months production, or on four separately coated specimens as
specified in 4.5.3. The amount of testing maybe reduced provided the results in the
consecutive months indicate a uniform product meeting the test requirements is being
produced, and providing the manufacturer agrees to maintain the same manufacturing
procedures or develops alternative acceptable manufacturing procedures.
4.4.5 Sampling PlanE. Sampling procedure for destructive tests of coating
thickness. At least once per calendar quarter, a coated part, or a separately coated
specimen prepared in accordance with 4.3.2, shall be tested in accordance
to verify the adequacy of the nondestructive mthods of thickness testing.
4.5 Methods of inspection
4.5.1 Thickness test
with 4.5.1.1
4.5.1.1 Microscopic method. The coating thickness shall redetermined in accor-
dance with ASTM B487.
4.5.1.2 Nondestructive instrumental methods. The instrument used, its calibration,
and its operation for testing given parts shall be such that the coating thickness shall
be determined with +10 percent of its true thickness, or the instrument shall be of a
type approved by th~procuring activity (see 6.4). The coating thickness shall be
determined in accordance with ASTM B499, ASTM B568, and ASTM B567. Periodic
verification of the instrumental methods must be made in accordance with 4.5.1.1.
4.5.2
diameter
4.5,3
Adhesion test, The test specimen shall be bent 180 over a mandrel
4 times the thickness (0.4 inch minimum) of the specimen.
Hardness tests. Vickers-hardness measurements shall be in accordance with
ASTM E384. Knoop-hardness measurements shall be in accordance with ASTM B578.
4.5.4 Embrittlement relief. Compliance with 3.4.1 and 3.4.2.1 shall be determined
.,
with samples of plated parts. Parts--spring pins, lock rings, and so forth--that are
installed in holes or rods shall be similarly assembled using the applicable parts
specifications or drawing tolerances which impose the maximum sustained tensile load
on the plated part. The selected samples shall be subjected to a sustained tensile load
equal to 115 percent of the maximum design yield load for which the part was
designed, Parts that require special fixtures, extreme loads to comply with the above
requirements, or where the maximum design yield load is not known, may be
represented by separate test specimens. The separate specimens shall be of a type
specified in ASTM F519 and tested as required therein. The articles, parts or test
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MIL-C-26074E
specimens shall be held under load for a least 200 hours and then examined for
fracture. The lot shall be rejected if any coated article, part, or test specimen shows
cracking or fracture of the basis metal.
4.5.5 Corrosion test. Coated-test specimens shall be exposed to a neutral salt-
spray test in accordance with ASTM B117 for 100 hours. The separate test specimens
used for salt-spray testing shall be 4 inches by 6 inches.
5. PACKAGING
5.1 Coated surfaces shall be protected from damage during shipment and storage.
6. NOTES
(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be
helpful, but is not mandatory.)
6.1 Intended uses. The coating is intended for use when hard and smooth
surfaces are required on coated parts. Excellent uniform deposits are produced on
irregular parts. Coated parts --that is, those parts used in air compressors,
missile-fuel injector plates, pumps, reciprocating surfaces, and so forth are protected
from oxidation, corrosion and wear. With aluminum electronic devices, not only is
product contamination prevented, but the coated parts facilitate soldering when used in
conjunction with a mildly activated (RMA) or activated (RA) rosin flux. Coated parts
of stainless steel similarly facilitate brazing.
6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents should specify the following:
a. Title, number and date of the specification.
b. Class and grade, and heat treatment or condition (see 1.2 and 3.5).
c. Issue of DODISS to be cited in the solicitation, and if required, the specific
issue of individual documents reference (see 2.1.1 and 2.2).
6.3 Heating schedule for class 2 coating.
6.3.1 Required hardness can be achieved by heating using the following schedule:
F Temperature Hours
500 4 or more
550 2 or more
650 1 to 1.5
750 0.5 to 1
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MIL-C-26074E
6.4 Nondestructive thickness measurements, Thickness measurements of
electroless nickel coatings containing more than 8 percent phosphorous are sufficiently
nonmagnetic to be measured for thickness in accordance with ASTM B499, Method of
Measurement of Coating Thickness by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings
on Magnetic Basis Metals, if deposited on a magnetic basis metal. When measuring
heat-treated coatings containing more than 8 percent phosphorous, the instrument
should be calibrated against heat-treated standards of known coatings thickness or
equivalent calibration foils. Heat treatment increases coating magnetism.
Measurement of electroless nickel coatings containing less than 8 percent phosphorous
by a magnetic method is not recommended.
6.5 Subject term (key word) listing
Nickel
Electroless (autocatalytic chemical reduction)
6.6 Equivalent material. Equivalent basis material includes chemical composition
and surface finish prior to coating application.
6.7 Recycled material. It is encouraged that recycled material be used when
practical as long as it meets the requirements of the document (see 3.1).
6.8 Changes from previous issue. Asterisks are not used in this revision to
identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extensiveness of the
changes.
Custodians: Preparing activity:
Air Force -11 Air Force - 11
Army - MR
Navy - AS Project No. MFFP-0457
Reviewers:
Air Force -68, 84, 99
Navy - SH
Army - MI, AR
Users:
Navy - OS
Army - ME
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STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENT IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL
INSTRUCTIONS
1, The preparing activity must complete blocks 1, 2, 3, and 8. In block 1, both the document number and revision letter should be
given.
2. The submitter of this form must complete blocks 4, 5,6, and 7.
3. The preparing activity must provide a reply within ~0 days from receipt of the form.
NOTE: This form may not be used to request copies of,documents, nor to request waivers, or darififxtion of requirements on current
contracts. Comments submitted on this form do not corlstitute or imply authorization to waive any portion of the referenced
document(s) or to amend contractual requirements.
I RECOMMEND A CHANGE: ~,~-:.;g:y&NuMBER
2. DOCUMENIDATE (YYMMDD)
901030
COATINGS, ELECTROLESS NICKEL REQUIREMENTS FOR
4. NATURE OF CHA NG@rtentify paragraph number and include proposed rewnle, if possible Attach extra sheets as needed.)
5. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION
6. SUBMITTER
a. NAME (Last, First, Middle lnitiafJ b. ORGANIZATION
c. ADORESS (include Zip Code)
6. PREPARING ACTIVITY
a. NAME
ASD/ENES
ASD/ENES (ENGINEERING DOCUMENTS)
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, OH 45433-6503
I
d, TELEPHONE (Include Area Code) 7.DATE SUBMITTED
(1) Commercial (YYMMDD)
(2) AUTOVON
(if applicable)
b. TELEPHONE include Area Code)
(1) Commercial (2) AUTOVON
(51 3) 255-6295 785-6295
,
)D Form 1426, OCT 69 Previous editions are obsolete. 19W290
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