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in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
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timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
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Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 1771 (1986): Electroplated coatings of silver and silver

alloys for general engineering purposes [MTD 24: Corrosion
Protection]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

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( Reaffirmed 2006 )

IS: 1771- 1986

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION
FOR
ELECTROPLATED
COATINGS OF SILVER
AND
SILVER
ALLOYS FOR GENERAL
ENGINEERING
PURPOSES

( Second Revision )
Metallic

and Non-metallic

Finishes

Sectionnl

Committee,

SMDC 23

Representing
Eveready

>.::,:I G. s. BHrZI.I\CM\HJIZ
Ministry
SIII<~I. N. B~ri\,r,\ ( A/twmte )
SFIKI A. 1. BOXA-IE
Premier
Sil!tr A. G. PRABHU ( Alfe~~~ic )
5;11<f M. S. Ctl \E;K.\VORIY
Premier
Slit<1Ii. K. CtlATfERJlif: ( A//efnrt/c )
(f1fhffSf & MLTALLUf~cjrSr-I,
RDSO, Ministry
LC!C~r;\-ow
(f[l:!d!Sl & Mf TALLUI<GN,
M \L>:<,\s( Al~uxiitc )
Sfif<r.IAYI\I)I<\ K. D \,.,,,.
I)I< Ii. I. D.\MII\I.
sfffcl 1. D. DHARhl\RAJ
stlill KAUSIffK GOKAL,D%\
,
i )I( ,% ~L!RUilAH
SIIRI S. Kouc;o\r
Sfrl<r P. R. RAO ( ,4ltermte
!?I<S. KRISHLAMURTHY

Flashlight Company,

Lucknow

of Defence ( R & D )
Automobiles

Ltd, Bombay

Metal Finishers ( P ) Ltd, Calcutta

of Railways

ICF,

Kohinoor

Electra-Gilders,

Bombay

Indian Telephone
Industries
Ltd, Bangalore
Platewell
Processes
& Chemicals
Ltd, Vododara
Canning
Mitra Phoenix Ltd, Bombay
Institute
Research
Electrochemical
Central
( CSIR ), Karaikudi

Kongovi Electronics

Pvt Ltd, Bangalore

In personal capacity ( Shubhodoya 3s. XI Main

Road. Mulleswaram Wesi, Bangalore )
SISICIV. KI<TSHUAMURTI~>
NGEF Ltd, Bangalore
SII:<I ASW.\TIIANARAY \>A ( Altc~rnute I )
S~II<~M. K. Ar.ncOr ( Aiternutc II )
( Continued on page 2 )

I
i
i

BUREAU

$3 Copyright 1987
OF INDIAN STANDARDS

7 his publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
i reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall bz deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS: 1771- 1986

( Continuedfrom page 1 )
Members

Representing

SHIZI V. S. KULKARNI
Grauer & Weil ( India ) Ltd, Bombay
SHRI SUSHIL GOI~KA ( Alternate )
HMT Ltd, Bangalore
SHIU M. PRABHAKAR MAHANDALE
SIIRI K. R. SATHYANAKAYANA ( Alternate )
SHRI R. C. MATHUR
Ministry of Defence ( DGI )
SHKI M. R. GHOSH ( Alternate )
T.I. Cycles of India, Ambattur, Madras
SHRI K. L. MUTHU
National
Metallurgical
Laboratory
DK S. K. NARANG
S~IRI

R. S.

Jamshedpur
Development
Commissioner
( Small
Services Institute ), New Delhi
Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangalore

RAC.HAVAU

SHIU R. SOMASEKHARA
SHRI K. NAC;ESH ( Alternate
DR J. VAID
SHRI K. RAGHAVENDKAN,
Director ( Strut & Met )

( CUR ),
Industries

)
Peico Electronics and Electricals Ltd. Pune
Director General, BIS ( Ex-officio Member )
Secretary

SHRI S. K. GUPTA
Deputy Director ( Met ), BIS

IS : 1771- 1986

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
ELECTROPLATED
COATINGS OF SILVER
AND SILVER ALLOYS FOR GENERAL
ENGINEERING
PURPOSES

( Second Revision )
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian
Standard
( Second Revision ) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution
on 10 September 1986, after the draft finalized by the
Metallic and Non-Metallic
Finishes Sectional
Committee had been approvcd by the Structural and Metals Division Council.
0.2 This standard was first published
in 196 1 and was subsequently
revised in 1970. This has now been revised in the light of the latest
developments
in the field of electroplating
technology.
In this revision, the
fo!lowing main modifications
have been made:
Thickness

requirements

Requirements
of Grade
has been added,

of the undercoats

3 have been modified

Heat treatment procedures

have been included, and
Solderability

have been included,

for steel parts

test and anti-tarnish

treatment

and

of higher

one

more grade

tensile

strength

have been included.

0.3 Electrodeposited
silver and silver alloy coatings
are used in many
applications
and are chosen for their extremely good electrical conductivity.
However, in many conditions
of service, sulphide films are liable to form
on coatings, consequently
increasin, 0 the contact resistance
of the silver
electroplated
coating surface and making them unsuitable
for use in low
voltage electronic circuits. Nevertheless,
since the silver sulphide films are
not completely insulating,
they are not particularly
detrimental
to other
electrical contacts where higher voltages and/or
higher contact
pressures
are used.
3

IS : 1771- 1986
0.4 While ordering plating of articles in accordance with this standard,
purchaser should furnish the information
as given in Appendix A.

the

0.5 In the preparation

of this standard, assistance has been derived
from
IS0 4521-1985 (E) Metallic
coa!ings - Electrodeposited
silver and silver
alloy coatings
for engineering,
purposes
issued by the International
Organisation
for Standardization
( IS0 ).
0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether
a particular
requirement
of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing the result ofa test, shall be rounded olfin accordance with IS : 2-1960+.
off value should
The number of significant
places retained in the rounded
be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard specifies the requirements
for elcctrodeposited
coatings
electronic
and other engineering
of silver and silver alloys for electrical,
applications.
It does not apply to coatings on ccrcw threads or to the
coatings on sheet or strip in unfabricated
form.
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.0 For the purpose
2.1 Surface work.

of this standard,

the following

The part of the surfaces

on

which

definitions

shall apply.

the clectroplater

has

to

2.2 Significant Surface - Sigr.ificant surfaces are those surfaces,

normally
visible directly or by reflection, which are essential
to the appearance
or
serviceability
of the rart when assembled in normal position, or which may
be the source of corrosion
products that deface visible surfaces on the
assembled part and are subject to wear or corrosion or both, or surfaces on
which the plating is otherwise functionally
necessary.
NOTE I- The significant surface may be generally defined as that part of the
visible surface which can be touched with a sphere of diameter 20 mm.
NOTE 2 ~ The designation
of significant surface shall be agreed upon by the
manufacturer and the purchaser and may be indicated in the drawings.

2.3 Non-Significant Surfaces - Surfaces such as holes, recesses, bases of

angles and similar areas where a controlled
deposit normally cannot be
obtained, are designated as non-significant
surfaces.
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).
4

1771-1986

IS:
2.4 Minimum Average Thickness number of points on the significant
2.5 Minimum Local Thickness
coating thickness at any point

This is the average of thicknesses

surfaces.

at

- This is defined as the lowest value of the

on the significant surfaces.

2.6 Post Plating Treatment - Heat treatment

for relief
of hydrogen
cmbrittlement,
anti-tarnish
treatments,
lacquering
or painting
or other
organic coatings after plating, are termed as post-plating
treatments.
2.7 Undercoat - A preliminary
coating
normally
applied to alter the
characteristics
of the basis metal and perform
other physical
functions
which are beneficial to the performance
of the electroplated
part.
2.8 Hydrogen Embrittlement
hydrogen into the metal.

Embrittlement

caused

by

the

entry

of

3. PRETREATMENT
3.1 The part as delivered to the electroplater
shall be in a condition suitable
for electroplating
without additional
mechanical
treatment,
unless otherwise agreed.
3.2 Mercury
metals.

compounds

shall not be used

3.3 To ensure proper adhesion,

present the chemical deposition
material before electrodeposition.
strike may be preferable.
4. CLASSIFICATION
4.1 The classification
in the order given:

in the

pretreatment

of

basis

it is necessary
to use a silver strike to
of silver and silver alloys on the basis
For electroplating
certain alloys, a good

NUMBER
number

of silver plating

shall comprise

the following

a) Chemical symbol for the basis metal or for the principal

the case of an alloy, followed by an oblique stroke;

metal

b) Chemical
symbol(s) for the undercoat
metal(s)
appropriate,
followed by an oblique stroke:

below, if

Symbol

as given

Significance
Nickel
Copper
Nickel on copper
Tin copper alloy

Ni
cu
Cu/Ni
Sn-Cu
5

in

IS: 1771- 1986

c) Chemical symbol for silver, Ag, followed, if required, by a number in
parenthesis representing
the minimum
silver content
of the silver
coating expressed as a percentage by mass, to one decimal place; and
d) A number indicating the minimum thickness in micro metres,
silver alloy coating on the significant surface.
41.1

Examples

of complete

classification

a) A siiver plating having a minimum

classification
number Cu/Ag 20.

numbers
thickness

of the

are:
of 20 Pm

on brass has

b) A 99.9 percent
silver plating having a minimum
thickness of 10 pm
on steel, using a nickel undercoat
has classification
number Fe/Ni/
Ag (99.9) 10.
5. REQUIREMENTS

FOR UNDERCOATS

5.1 The thickness

requirements
for undercoats
given in Table 1 are
minimum values. For arduous conditions
of service, greater thickness may
be required and shall be specified by the purchaser.
TABLE 1 REQUIREMENTS

FOR UNDERCOATS

All dimensions in micrometres

SL

No.
(1)
1.

BASIS MATERIAL
(2)

Copper

2. Copper alloys ( notably

free cutting brass containing lead )
materials
3. Ferrous
( other than austcnitic
4.
5.
6.

stainless steel )
stain!ess
Austenitic
steel
Zinc and zinc alloys
Aluminium
and aluminium alloys
Other basis materials
and basis metal with
soldered joints

UNDERCOAT(S)
(3)

None
Copper or nickel may
be required
Nickel or copper +
nickel
An acid nickel strike
( Woods bath) normally required
Copper + nickel
Nickel (see Note)

MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
UNDERCOAT(S), pm
(4)
-

To be agreed
IO or 10 ( Cu) +
5 ( Ni )
Thin coating to promote adhesion of the
silver coating
8(Cu)+lO(Ni)
To be agreed

Nickel or copper may

To be agreed
be required to meet
functional or other
requirements
of this
standard
Nom -- An initial copper plating may be employed under the nickel coating.
7.

IS:

1771 - 1986

6. GRADES
6.1 Silver coated
TABLE

parts shall be of five grades as given in Table 2.

REQUIREMENTS
(Clauses

GII.11>1

OF MINIMUM

LOCAL

THICKNESS

6.1 and 10.3.1 )

TYPICAL APPLICATION

MINIMUM LOCAL
THICKNESS, pm

For parts receiving limited handling

Recommended
for parts where close
tolerances arc required
Recommended for parts like terminals,
10
which are to be soldered
For corrosion protection of ferrous and
20
non-ferrous
basis metals for increasing
the surface conductivity, solderability and
for
reducing
the electrical contact
resistance
FGr parts liable to receive severe wear in
40
service like
electrical and electronic
contacts
NOTE -- Any other requirement of minimum local thickness higher than 40 pm
may also be supplied if mutually agreed to.
5

7. QUALITY

OF COATINGS

7.1 Silver anodes

used for plating

shall conform

to IS : 1959-1983*.

7.2 Composition - The minimum

silver content
of the coating
shall, if
required, be specified by the purchaser
as a percentage
by mass to one
dzcimai place and included at the appropriate
place in the classification
number.
NOTE - Metallic or organic
brighteners
used for grain refinement may be
present in the electrodeposited
coating, provided that they do not interfere with the
intended function of the coating and are acceptable to the purchaser.

7.3 Lead Content - The lead content

of the silver deposit shall be not
more than 0.02 percent when determined
in accordance
with the method
given in Appendix B.
8. MANUFACTURING

PROCESS

8.1 Cleanilag of Basis Metal - Proper preparatory

procedures and thorough
cleaning of the basis metal are essential
to ensure satisfactory
adhesion
*Spcclfication for silver anodes for electroplating
7

(first

revision ).

IS : 1771- 1986
and good quality of the plating.
The cleaning
with the method prescribed in IS : 3194-1980.*
9. HEAT TREATMENT

shall be done in accordance

OF STEELS

9.1 General
9.1.1 Heat treatment
as specified in 9.3 and 9.4 shall be performed on
certain basis metals to reduce the risk of damage due to hydrogen embrittlement. In all cases, the duration of heat treatment shall commence from
the time at which the whole of each part attains the specified temperature.
9.1.2 Parts made from steels with maximum
specified tensile strengths
greater than 1050 MPa ( corresponding
hardness
values approximately
34
HRC, 340 HV or 325 HB ) and surface-hardened
parts will require heat
treatment.
Preparations
involving cathodic
treatments
in alkaline
or acid
solutions with high cathode efficiencies are recommended
for steel components with tensile strengths greated than 1450 MPa ( corresponding
hardness values approximately
45 HRC, 440 HV or 415 HB ).
9.2 Categorization

of Steels

9.2.1 With the exception of surface-hardened

parts ( 9.3.2 and 9.4.2 ), the
heat treatment conditions
shall be selected on the basis of specified maximum tensile strength. If the steel specification is only in terms of minimum
tensile
strength,
the corresponding
maximum
tensiIe strength
shaI1 be
determined
as given below:
Corresponding Maximum
Tensile Strength, MPa

Spccijed Minimum
Tensile Strength, MPa
up to
1 001 to
1 401 to
Over

1 000
1 400
1 750
1 750

up to
1 051 to
1 451 to
Over

1 050
1 450
1 800
I 800

9.2.2 If neither the maximum

nor the minimum
tensile strength
is
specified for steel, Vicker hardness values of 320, 440 and 560 HV shall be
regarded as equivalent to maximum tensile strength
of 1 050, 1 450, and
1 800 MPa respectively,
and these strengths shall be used to select the heat
treatment conditions.
9.3 Stress Relief Before Electroplating
9.3.1 The conditions
shown in Table 3 are
stress-relieved
before electroplating
although
*Recommended

recommended
for parts to be
different
conditions,
namely,

practice for cleaning metals prior to electroplating

( first revision ).

IS:

suitable combinations of shorter periods at appropriate

may be used if they have been shown to be effective.
TABLE

STRESS-RELIEF

MAXIMUM SPECJFIED
TENSILESTRENGTH
MPa

1986

high temperatures,

CONDITIONS

( excluding surface-hardened
( Clause 9.3

1771-

parts )

I)

TEMPERATURE

TIME

(1)
up to 1 050
1 051 to 1 450

Z)
None required
190 to 220

(f)
-

1451
to1800
Over
1 800

190 to 220

1
::

9.3.2 Surface-hardened parts shall be heat treated at 130 to 150C for

not less than 5 hours. Shorter periods at higher temperatures may be used
if the resulting loss of surface hardness of the substrate is acceptable.

9.3.3 If stress-relief is given after shot-peening or other cold working

processes, the temperature shall not exceed 220C.
9.4 Hydrogen Embrittlemeot Relief After Electroplating
9.4.1 This treatment shall be carried out as soon as possible, in any case
not later than 4 hours after electroplating, according to the conditions
specified in Table 4.
TABLE 4 HYDROGEN
MAXIMUM SPECIFIED
TENSILESTRENGTH
MPa

EMBRLTTLEMENT

RELIEF

CONDITIONS

TEMPERATURE

(1)
up to 1 050
1 051 to 1 450

None required
190 to 220

1 451
to 11 800
Over

190 to 220

9.4.2 Surface-hardened parts shall be heated at 190 to 220C for not

less than 2 hours to remove occluded hydrogen, if necessary.
9

IS: 1771- 1986

9.4.3 Other temperatures
and durations
may be specified and used if
they have been shown to be effective
for the particular
part,
and are
However, the parts shall not be heat-treated
acceptable to the purchaser.
above their tempering temperature.
10. REQUIREMENTS

FOR SILVER

AND SILVER

ALLOY

COATINGS

10.1 The tests given in 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 shall be carried out in the
absence of anti-tarnish
treatment
and the tests specified in 10.6, 10.7
and 10.8 shall be carried out after the final treatment.
10.2 Finish

and Appearance

10.2.1 Over the significant surface, the plated part shall be

clearly visibie coating defects such as blisters,
pits, roughness,
cracks, burning or unplated
areas and mechanical
damages.
where a contact mark is inevitable, this contact mark is excluded
tion of appearance.
Superficial
stains that result from rinsing
discolouration
resulting
from drying or heating
operation
hydrogen embrittlement
shall not be a cause for rejection.

free from
nodules,
On parts
for inspecor slight
to relieve

10.2.2 If bright finish is required, parts may be buffed or polished before

and after plating. The parts which are buffed or polished
shall be free
from red patches which are generally caused by extensive pressure during
polishing.
Red patches shall be detected by breathing
on the part and
holding it in reflected light.
Such patches shall be eliminated by cleaning
the part in an alkaline cleaning solution to remove grease and then dipping
it in dilute hydrochloric
acid ( 1 : 5 ). It shall then be dried and iinished
with a soft silver-finishing
mop.
10.2.3 Silver and silver alloy electroplated
parts which are to be machined subsequently
shall be free from excessive nodulation
and treeing at the
edges. and from imperfections
detrimental
to the subsequent fabrication.
10.3 Thickness
10.3.1 The thichness
of the coating
shall be in accordance
with the
relevant value given in Table 2 for the classification
number specified by the
purchaser in accordance with 4 and it shall refer to the minimum
thicknessts on the significant
surfaces unless otherwise specified by the purchaser.
Where silver and silver alloy coatings are to be subsequently
machined, the
thickness requirements
shall apply after machining.
If machining
is not
carried out by the electroplater,
the purchaser
shall specify the thickness
required before machining
10

IS : 1771 - 1986
10.3.2 The thickness of each grade shall be determined
by the microgiven in IS : 3203-1982. Alternative
methods like area/
scopic method
weight method, magnetic test method, beta radiation back scatter method,
ctc, are available and may be used by agreement
between
the plater and
the purchaser, but in case of dispute, the microscopic
method as specified
in IS : 3203-1982 shall be used.
10.4 Adhesion adherent.
When
there shall be no
the clcclroplated

On all plated areas, the coating

shall be continuous
and
plated areas are tested in accordance
with Appendix
C,
evidence of lack of adhesion
between the basis metal and
coating.

10.5 Corrosion Resistance and/or Porosity - Where corrosion

resistance
and/or porosity are important,
the parts shall be subjected to one or more
corrosion and/or porosity tests, specified by the purchaser
which relate to
the environment
in which the silver electroplated
parts are to be exposed.
10.6 Soldcrability - Where silver plating is intended
for soldering
purposes, the parts shall be subjected
to the solderability
test specified
in
)\ppendix
D. After the test, the parts shall show uniform
solder coating
iree from discontinuities,
breaks, blisters, voids and other defects, and it
:,hall not flake or peel when subjected to the bend test as specified in
c-1.2.
10.7 Anti-Tarnish Treatment - There are a number
of anti-tarnish
treatments available to retard the onset of tarnishing of silver and silver alloy
parts. If such a treatment is required, it shall be specified by the purchaser.
The anti-tarnish
treatment applied to the silver and silver alloy parts shall
be such that the plating withstands the test specified in Appendix
E for a
minimum period of 5 minutes. Lacquer, epoxy clear, paint or other organic
coatings shall not be applied to the electrodeposited
silver for the purpose
of meeting this requirement.
NOTE - Treated paper strips intended for packaging
silver electroplated parts
which react with oxides of sulphur and sulphide gases, can inhibit tarnish formation
during shipment and storage without affecting the surface properties of silver.

10.8 Electrical
Properties - If electrical properties
important, these shall be specified
by the purchaser
method or methods of assessing such properties.
*Methods

of testing local thickness of electroplated

11

of the plating
together
with

coatings (first revision ).

are
the

IS: 1771- 1986

11. SAMPLING

FOR INSPECTION

11.1 Out of each lot of similar parts, a number of samples shall be

at random. The size of the lot and the number
of samples
to be
shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer
and the purchaser.
samples selected shall be visually examined for any defects referred
12. SEPARATE
12.1
tests
basis
being

selected
selected
All the
to in.

SPECIMENS

Where tests specified in 10 cannot be performed on production

parts,
shall be performed on separate
test specimens.
In such cases, the
metal test specimens used shall be the same as that of the parts
plated.

12.2 Unless a need is demonstrated,

separetely prepared specimens shall not
be used in place of production
parts for visual examination
and thickness
tests.
12.3 Separate Specimens for Adhesion, Solderability
and Tarnish Resistance
solderability
and tarnish
Tests - If separate
specimens
for adhesion,
resistance tests are required, they shall be strips of approximately
25 mm
width, 100 mm length and 1 mm thickness.
12.4 Separate Specimens
for Hydrogen
Embrittlement
Test - If separate
specimens are required for hydrogen embrittlement
tests, the configuration
shall be specified by the purchaser.
13. TEST REPORT
13.1 If mutually agreed, the manufacturer
the test certificate of the finished product
14. PACKAGING

shall furnish the test report

conforming
to this standard.

and

AND PACKING

14.1 Packaging and packing methods for silver electroplated

parts employed by the supplier shall be such as to preclude any damage during shipment
handling and storage.
15. MARKING
15.1 The marking on the silver plated parts shall include the classification
number as specified in the standard and the name or trade-mark
of the
manufacturer.
12

IS:
15.2 The silver plated parts may also be marked
Certification
Mark relating to the coating of the part.

with

1771 - 1986

the

Standard

NOTI - The use of the Standard

Mark is governed by the provisions of the
Hureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 Rules and Regulations made thereunder.
The
J;IS Mark on products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that
they have been produced to comply with the requirements of that standard under a
well-defined system of inspection, testing and quality control which is devised and
supervised by BIS and operated by the producer. BIS marked products are also
contmuously checked by BIS for conformity to that standard as a further safeguard.
r)etails of conditions under which a licence for the use of the BLS Certification Mark
may be granted to manufacturers or processors may be obtained from the Bureau of
Indian Standards.

APPENDIX

( Clause 0.4 )
INFORMATION

TO BE GIVEN

..I- 1. MANDATORY

WITH

AN ENQUIRY

with this standard,

of this standard;

b) Classification
c) Signihcant
example,
samples;

ORDER

INFORMATION

h-l.1 When ordering articles to be plated in accordance

t hc purchaser shall provide the following information:
a) Number

AND

number

of rhe plating

required

( srr 4 );

surface of the part to be electroplated

indicated, for
on drawings
or by the provisions
of suitably
marked

d) Surface appearance;
c) Method(:)
f) Sampling
:\-2.

of adhesion
procedure

ADDITIONAL

testing to be employed;

and

to be adopted.

INFORMATION

-2-2.1 The following

additional
information
Jlall be specified by the purcheser:
a) Minimum
silver content
national alloying elements;

of the

13

coating

may

be required

and

details

and if so,

of any inter-

IS:

1771-

1986

b) Nature

of the basis material,

c) Any requirements
for
hydrogen embrittlement
d) Thickness

of plating

e) Requirements

its surface condition

stress-relief
before
electroplating
relief after electroplating;

and/or

and undercoat(s);

for corrosion

resistance

f) Raquirements
parts;

for anti-tarnish

g) Requirements

for solderability;

h) Electrical

and roughness;

and/or

treatment

porosity;

to be applied

and

of coatin, n and the methods

properties

on the plated

APPENDIX

of test to be used.

( C/awe 7.3 )
iMETHOD

B-l.

FOR

COLLECTION

DETERMINATION
OF LEAD
SILVER DEPOSITION

CONTENT

OF SAnlPLE

B-l.1 Use a clean stainless steel cathode in the plating bath.

ed layer peeled off from this cathode shal! be used for testing.
B-2. REAGENTS
B-2.1 Concentrated
264-1976 ).

( ANALAR
Nitric

GRADE
Acid -

Specific

B-2.3 Ammonia Solution

B-2.4 Hydrogen Peroxide
B-2.5 Sodium Sulphide Solution
B-2.6 Lead Nitrate Solution -

0.1 mg Pbiml.

for nitric acid ( second revisim ).

14

The deposit-

B-2.2 Glacial Acetic Acid

Specification

IN

gravity

1.42

( SEC

IS :

IS : 1771 - 1986
13-2.7 Potassium Cyanide Solution ( Trud Single Salt ) - Dissolve 39 g of
potassium cyanide in 700 ml of distilled water. Add 23 ml of hydrogen
peroxide
( 6 percent ). Allow it to stand for a day. Dilute the solution
to 1 litre. This will give a potassium cyanide solution of 6 N.
B-3. PROCEDURE
B-3.1 Take 2 ml of water in a 50-ml Nessler tube, add 0.5 ml of concentrated nitric acid. Then add 0.5 g of silver deposit and allow it to be
dissolved
completely.
Then add 6 ml of water and 1.5 ml of glacial acetic
acid. Add ammonia solution till alkaline. Add 10 ml of potassium
cyanide
solution.
Then make up to 50 ml using water. Add a drop of sodium
sulphide solution.
A brown colour is obtained if lead is present. Compare
this colour with standard lead solution. Standard lead solution is prepared
as follows.
B-3.1.1 Take I ml of lead nitrate solution, add 6 ml of water, 1.5 ml of
glaci;ll acetic acid and then ammonia solution till alkaline. Add 10 ml of
potassium
cyanide
solution.
Make up to 50 ml. Add a drop of sodium
sulphide solution.
A brown colouraiion
is obtained.
Compare
this brown
colouration
with the brown colouration
obtained with silver deposit. If the
!ntensity
of the latter is less than or equal to that of the former, then lead
content in the silver deposit is within the permissible
limit, that is 0.2
percent.
NOTE - Potassium cyanide forms a complex cyanide of silver and prevents it
from reacting with sodium sulphide. One millilitre of silver solution ( 1N ) requires
12 ml of potassium cyanide ( IN ) for complete prevention of formation of silver
sulphide.

B-3.2 In
shall be:

this

quantity

of silver,

500 x

the

maximum

permissible

-2 -~= 0.1 mg.

IO 000

APPENDIX

( Clauses 10.4 and 10.6 )

TEST FOR ADHESION
C-l.

ADHESION

TEST

C-1.0 Any one of the following

tests shall be suitably

15

used.

lead content

IS : 1771 - 1986

C-l.1

Burnishing Test

C-1.1.1 An area of not more than 6 cm2 of the plated surface selected
at the discretion of the inspector, shall be rubbed,
rapidly
and firmly for
15 seconds with a smooth metal implement.
The burnished area shall then
be visually inspected and if there is no indication
of the deposit becoming
dctachcd
from the basis metal, the adhesion
shall be deemed to be
satisfactory.
C-1.1.2 A suitable burnishing
implement
is a steel rod 6 mm in dia with
a Tmooth hemispherical
end. The pressure shall be sufficient to burnish
the
coating
film at every stroke but no so great as to cut the deposit. Poor
adhesion will be shown the appearance
of a loose blister which grows as the
rubbing is continued.
If the quality of the deposit is also poo;, the blister
may crack and the plating will peel away from the basis metal.
C-1.2

Bend Test

C-1.2.1 Place the sample in the bend tester with a bend radius of 4 mm.
Bend the sample as far as 90 forward and backward.
For the purpose
of
this test. one bend shall constitute bending forward to 90 and backward
to the original position.
Repeat this process and count the number
of
bends till flaking occurs.
C-1.2.2
C-l.3

The sample

Thermal

shall stand three bends without

flaking

Shock Test

C-1.3.1 Place the specimens

in an oven and bake at 150 to 200C for
30 minutes.
After baking, the specimen shall be removed, cooled in air and
examined under a magnification
01 4 time; for any evidence
of b!istering
or detachment
of silver deposit from the basis metal.

APPENDPX

( Clause 10.6 )
TEST FOR SOEI~ERABILITY
11-l. SOLDERABELI[TY

TEST

D-1.1 The specimen

shall be fluxed with a suitable non-corrosive
flux for
5 to 10 seconds and immersed in a clean molten solder bath ( Sn 40/Pb 60 )
kept at 288 -C 5C for 3 seconds, removed, and shaken lightly to remove
16

IS : 1771 - 1986
excess of solder. The specimen
shall be considered
solderable
if it shows
uniform
solder coating free from discontinuties,
breaks blisters, voids and
other defects, and it shall not flake or peel, when subjected to the bend test
as given in C-1.2.
D-1.2 This test shall not be performed on massive parts which heat up too
slowly. Special 3.2 mm thick specimens
of the same alloy shall be plated
concurrently
and used to represent such massive parts.

APPENDIX
E
( ChLse 10.7 )
TARNISH
E-l.

TARNISH

RESISTANCE

RESISTANCE

TEST

TEST

E-l.1 Pipette one ml of 20 to 24 percent ammonium

sulphide or equivalent
quantity
of potassium
sulphide, reagent grade, into a one litre volumetric
flask. Fill with distilled water to the mark and agitate thoroughly.
Place
one drop of this solution
on the specimen under test. It shall not show
black or brown colour for at least 5 minutes.

17

INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS ( SI UNITS )

Base Units
QUANTITY
Length
Mass
Time
Electric current
Thermodynamic
temperature
Luminous intensity
Amount of substance
Supplementary

UhI.I.

SYCIBOL

metre
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin

m
kg

candela
mole

cd
mol

A
K

Units

QUANTITY

Plane angle
Solid angle

UNIT

radian
steradian

SYMBOL

rad
sr

Derived Units
QUANTITY
Force
Energy
Power
Flux
Flux density
Frequency
Electric conductance
Electromotive force
Pressure, stress

UNIT
newton
joule
watt
weber
tesla
hertz

volt
Pascal

DEFINITION

SYMBOL
N
J
W
Wb
T
Hz
S
V
Pa

I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

N =
J =
W =
Wb =
T Hz =
S =
V =
Pa =

1 kg.m/s2
1 N.m
1 J/s
1 V.s
1 Wb/m*
1 c/s (s-l)
1 A/V
1 W/A
1 Nm2