This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: B254 − 92 (Reapproved 2020)´1 Endorsed by American

Electroplaters’ Society
Endorsed by National Associa-
tion of Metal Finishers

Standard Practice for

Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B254; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

ε1 NOTE—An editorial correction was made to X2.1.2 in December 2020.

1. Scope Stainless Steel Parts, Equipment, and Systems

1.1 Various metals are electrodeposited on stainless steel for
color matching, lubrication during cold heading, spring-coiling 3. Nature of Stainless Steel
and wire-drawing operations, reduction of scaling at high 3.1 Because previous metal treatment may have a more
temperatures, improvement of wettability (as in fountain pens), pronounced effect on the final finish when stainless steel is
improvement of heat and electrical conductance, prevention of being electroplated, the metal finisher should become ac-
galling, jewelry decoration, and prevention of superficial quainted with the fabrication procedure, grade, and mill finish
rusting. of the stainless steel with which he is working before outlining
iTeh Standards
1.2 This practice is presented as an aid to electroplaters and
finishing engineers, confronted with problems inherent in the
his electrodeposition procedure (see Appendix X1).
3.2 Stainless steel surfaces are normally resistant to a wide
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electrodeposition of metals on stainless steel. It is not a
standardized procedure but a guide to the production of smooth variety
thin
of corrosive elements. This property is the result of a
transparent film of oxides present on the surface. Because
adherent electrodeposits on stainless steel.
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1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
this film rapidly reforms after it has been stripped off or
penetrated, it protects stainless steel against corrosion. An
adherent electrodeposit cannot be obtained over the oxide film
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- normally present on stainless steel. However, once this film is
ASTM
priate safety, health, and environmental practices andB254-92(2020)e1
deter- removed by surface activation and kept from reforming while
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mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. the surface is covered with an electrodeposit, any of the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
commonly electroplated metals may be electrodeposited suc-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
cessfully on stainless steel.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.3 Where the finished product is to be subjected to severe
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical exposure, the deposit produced by the proposed electroplating
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. sequence should be tested under similar exposure conditions
before adoption, to determine whether the natural corrosion
2. Referenced Documents resistance of the stainless steel has been impaired by the
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 presence of the electrodeposit.
A380 Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of
4. Nature of Cleaning

1
4.1 The preparation of stainless steel for electroplating
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.02 on
involves three basic steps in the following order:
Pre Treatment. 4.1.1 Removal of scale. If scale removal is necessary, one of
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally the methods outlined in Appendix X2 may be used (Note 1).
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as B254 – 92(2014). DOI:
10.1520/B0254-92R20E01. See also Practice A380.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4.1.2 Removal of oil, grease, or other foreign material by
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
cleaning, and
the ASTM website. 4.1.3 Activation immediately before electroplating.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 B254 − 92 (2020)´1
4.2 Precleaning—Removal of fabricating lubricants and NOTE 5—The etching practice may be more severe for nondecorative
finishing compounds from the stainless steel may have to be applications than for decorative applications.
undertaken immediately following the fabrication or finishing 7.2 The following activating procedures have been used.
operation (Note 2). The procedure selected will depend upon the nature of the part
4.3 Electrocleaning—Anodic cleaning is generally preferred and preceding or subsequent processes (see 7.7). In the
(Note 3). following solution formulas, the concentrations are expressed
on a volume basis as follows:
4.4 Metal Lubricants—Metal lubricants such as copper, Liquids: as volume per litre of solution
lead, or cadmium, applied to stainless steel wire for cold Solids: as mass per litre of solution
heading, wire drawing, or spring forming are removed by
immersion in a solution of 200 mL of concentrated, 67 mass %, 7.3 The commercial grade acids and salts used in the
nitric acid (density 1.40 g/mL) diluted to 1 L at 50 to 60 °C. formulas include:
See Practice A380. Sulfuric acid: 93 mass %; density 1.83 g/mL
Hydrochloric acid: 31 mass %; density 1.16 g/mL
NOTE 1—Oil, grease or other fabricating lubricants should be removed
by cleaning before heat treating. Nickel chloride: NiCl2·6H2O
NOTE 2—Spray cleaning with a nozzle pressure of 200 to 400 kPa (30 Copper sulfate: CuSO4·5H2O
to 60 psi) in a power washer, using an alkaline or emulsion-type cleaner, Warning—Sulfuric acid should be slowly added to the
is the generally preferred method, especially for the removal of heavy approximate amount of water required with rapid mixing, and
drawing, buffing, or polishing compounds. Soak cleaning or vapor
degreasing may also be used. Extreme examples of such compounds are then after cooling, diluted to exact volume.
drawing or stamping lubricants containing unsaturated oils, which if left 7.4 Cathodic Treatments:
on the surface, form by air-oxidation tenacious films that are very difficult
to remove. 7.4.1 Sulfuric acid 50 to 500 mL/L
NOTE 3—When brightness is important, alkalinity, current density, and Water to 1 L
Temperature room
temperature should be kept as low as the part will permit. This is an
Time 1 to 5 min
essential requirement when cleaning work on racks bearing auxiliary lead Current density 0.54 A/dm2
anodes or when high chromium alloys (such as UNS Types S44200 and Anodes pure lead
S44600) are being cleaned.

5. Cleaning Solutions
iTeh Standards 7.4.2 A Hydrochloric acid
Water
Temperature
50 to 500 mL/L
to 1 L
room

5.1 The types of solution (https://standards.iteh.ai)

Time 1 to 5 min
control, electrodes, heating coils, Current density 2.15 A/dm2
and rinse tanks normally used for cleaning carbon steel are Anodes electrolytic nickel strip or nickel

the cleaning or processing of carbon Document

steel should not be used. Preview
bar
satisfactory for stainless steel. Equipment previously used for A
See Patent No. 2,133,996.
7.4.3 After immersion in a solution containing 100 to 300 mL/L of
See Practice A380. hydrochloric acid diluted to 1 L at room temperature for 30 to 60 s, treat
cathodically in:

6. Racking ASTM B254-92(2020)e1 Sulfuric acid

Water
50 to 500 mL/L
to 1 L
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6.1 The general principles of good racking as used in
Temperature room
Current 0.54 to 2.7 A/dm2
chromium electroplating processes apply. However, the high Anodes pure lead
electrical resistance of stainless steel requires rack construction 7.5 Immersion Treatments:
methods that minimize potential contact problems and increase
7.5.1 Immerse in a solution of sulfuric acid containing 200
the number of contact points.
to 500 mL of acid diluted to 1 L at 65 to 80 °C (with the higher
NOTE 4—Because of the high electrical resistance of stainless steel, temperature for the lower concentration) for at least 1 min after
especially in fine-coiled wire articles such as watch bands, chains, jewelry, gassing starts. If gassing does not start within 1 min after the
etc., it is necessary to provide a larger number of contacts. As an example,
a watch band 110 mm long made of 1.0-mm diameter wire has been found
parts have been immersed, touch them with a carbon-steel bar
to require at least three contacts. or rod. This activation treatment will produce a dark, adherent
smut that is removed in the electroplating bath. A cathodic
7. Activation current of at least 0.54 A/dm2 may be used to accelerate
7.1 After the cleaning operation and before the electroplat- activation. Lead anodes are suitable for this solution.
ing operation, the parts must be completely activated, that is, 7.5.2 Immerse in the following solution:
the thin transparent film of oxides must be removed from the Hydrochloric acid 1 mL
Sulfuric acid 10 mL
surface to be electroplated (Note 5). This film will reform if the Water to 1 L
parts are allowed to dry or are exposed to oxygen-containing Temperature room
solutions. For this reason, the shortest interval practicable Time 26 s
should elapse between the time the parts are removed from the NOTE 6—This practice has been used with success for chromium
activating solution and covered by the electrodeposit, unless a electroplating on stainless steel automobile parts in a conveyorized
simultaneous activation-electroplating procedure is used. process. It is not recommended before copper or nickel electroplating.

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 B254 − 92 (2020)´1
7.6 Simultaneous Activation-Electroplating Treatments: activating procedure; otherwise the surface will passivate itself
7.6.1 Nickel chlorideA 240 g and the electrodeposit will not be adherent.
Hydrochloric acid 85 mL 8.1.1 The rinse water should be kept slightly acid (approxi-
Iron should not exceed
7.5 g/L
mately pH of 2.5 to 3.5). The acid carryover from the activation
Water to 1 L operation will maintain this pH in many instances.
Temperature room 8.1.2 In conveyorized operations where trace contamination
Electrodes nickel
A
See U. S. Patent No. 2,285,548-9.
of plating solutions with chloride and sulfate from activating
7.6.1.1 Anodic Treatment:
solutions will produce an unsatisfactory electrodeposit, spray-
rinse operations subsequent to the activation treatment will
Current density 2.2 A/dm2 remove these contaminants.
Time 2 min
8.1.3 If the simultaneous activation-plating procedure is
7.6.1.2 Followed by Cathodic Treatment:
employed and nickel plating follows, the intermediate rinse
Current density 2.2 A/dm2 need only be superficial and the length of transfer time is not
Time 6 min so important.
7.6.2 Nickel chlorideA 240 g
Hydrochloric acid 126 mL 9. Electroplating
Water to 1 L
Electrodes nickel
9.1 An adherent electrodeposit of commonly electroplated
TemperatureB room metals (cadmium, copper, brass, chromium, gold, nickel, or
Current density (cathodic) 5.4 to 21.5 A/dm2 silver) may be electrodeposited directly on stainless steel
Time 2 to 4 min
A
See U. S. Patent No. 2,437,409. provided the surface of the stainless steel is active.
B
Bath may require cooling or reduction in hydrochloric acid content if
temperature exceeds 30 °C.
NOTE 8—Nickel may be electrodeposited at normal current densities
directly on properly activated stainless steel from standard nickel-
7.6.3 Nickel chloride 30 to 300 g/L electroplating solutions if the pH of the solution is between 2 and 4. A pH
Hydrochloric acid 15 to 160 mL/L
of 2 is preferred.
Water to 1 L
Electrodes nickel
NOTE 9—When a chromium-electroplating solution containing 400 g/L

iTeh Standards
Temperature room of chromic acid is used for decorative chromium electroplating, better
Current density 0.55 to 10.75 A/dm2 coverage and a wider bright range is obtained by operating at a current
Time 1⁄2 to 5 min density of 16.2 A/dm2 and 49 °C.

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7.6.4 Hydrochloric acid undiluted commercial grade NOTE 10—A bright nickel electroplate under chromium, preceded by
(7.2) one of the simultaneous activation-electroplating treatments, may often be
Copper sulfate 0.4 g/L used to advantage for better color matching and elimination of chromium

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Electrodes nickel buffing.
Temperature room
Current density 9.2 Where practical, the parts should have the current
4.5 to 6.6 A/dm2
Time 1 to 5 min applied during entry into the electroplating solution.
NOTE 7—Nickel anode materials containing greater than 0.01 % sulfur
are not recommended for use in acid nickel strike baths ASTM
operated atB254-92(2020)e1
pH 0.5,
10. Stripping
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or lower, to avoid
7.6.1-7.6.4, and 7.7).
oxidation of sulfides by hydrochloric acid (see 10.1 Nitric acid is the preferred stripping solution.
10.2 Decorative chromium electrodeposits have been
7.7 A combination of more than one type of treatment may stripped in a solution of 500 mL of concentrated, 31 mass %
be necessary to ensure a high degree of adhesion. For example, hydrochloric acid (density 1.16 g/mL) diluted to 1 L at 45 to
the following has been used in the automotive industry for 50 °C for 1 min.
nickel plating on UNS Type S30200 stainless steel:
NOTE 11—Overstripping will result in etching.
Sulfuric acid 650 mL
Water to 1 L
NOTE 12—Decorative chromium electrodeposits may also be stripped
Potential (cathodic) 10 V anodically in any alkaline solution.
Electrodes lead 10.3 Cadmium is stripped successfully without current by
Temperature room
Time 2 min immersion in a solution of 120 g/L of ammonium nitrate.
Followed by: 11. Post Electroplating Operations
Nickel chloride 240 g 11.1 Post electroplating operations such as stress relieving,
Hydrochloric acid 120 mL
Water to 1 L buffing or coloring, and forming or drawing may be applied to
Electrodes nickel stainless steel in the same manner as to any other basis metal,
Temperature room as long as the natural differences in the characteristic of the
Time 2 min
Current density (cathodic) 16.2 A/dm2 stainless steel are taken into consideration. The stainless steel
This is followed by transfer without rinsing to a Watts (or supplier should be consulted for guidance in regard to these
higher chloride) nickel bath with a pH of 1.5 to 2.0. characteristics.
12. Test Methods
8. Rinsing 12.1 The methods of testing for thickness, hardness, and
8.1 The parts should be transferred to the cold-water rinse adhesion of electrodeposits applied with the usual basis metals
and to the plating solution as rapidly as practicable after the may be employed for similar tests on stainless steel.

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 B254 − 92 (2020)´1
NOTE 13—An exception to this is the determination of the thickness of penetrated, the accuracy of this method may be questionable for this
chromium on stainless steel by the hydrochloric acid drop method. application.
Because gassing continues after the chromium coating has been

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. STAINLESS STEEL GRADES

X1.1 There are many standard grades and many more S30200, S30300, S30400, S30500, S30800, S30900, S31000,
special grades of stainless steel. Each grade has a specific use, S31600, S31700, S32100, and S34700 are the more common
and each may present an individual finishing problem. The alloys of this type.
common grades are classified as:
X1.1.4 Precipitation-hardening or hardenable chromium
X1.1.1 Martensitic, or hardenable magnetic chromium nickel-alloys. UNS Types S17400, S17700, S15700, and
grades. UNS Types S40300, S40500, S40600, S41000, S35000, are some examples of this type (Note X1.1).
S41400, S41600, S42000, S43100, S44002, S44003, and
S44004 are the more common alloys of this grade. NOTE X1.1—The precipitation-hardening types of stainless steel should
X1.1.2 Ferritic, or nonhardenable magnetic chromium be electroplatable by one or more of the procedures in this practice, but
difficulties may be encountered with types containing relatively high
grades. UNS Types S43000, S43020, and S44600 are alloys of levels of manganese, molybdenum, and silicon. In the fully aged
this type. condition, these grades of stainless steel may be susceptible to hydrogen
X1.1.3 Austenitic, or nonhardenable, nonmagnetic embrittlement due to electroplating (see X3.3).
chromium-nickel alloys. UNS Types S20100, S20200, S30100,

iTeh Standards
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X2. MILL FINISHES

X2.1 Stainless steels can be obtained with a variety of

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Sheet
finishes. Finish Description
No. 1 Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled (white-pickled
X2.1.1 Bar and Wire Stock—The common finishes applied finish)
to bar and wire stock are: No. 2B Bright full cold-rolled finish

X2.1.1.1 Hot-rolled (scale present), ASTM B254-92(2020)e1

No. 2D
No. 4
Dull full cold-rolled finish
Standard polish (bright finish with fine polishing lines)
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X2.1.1.2 Hot-rolled and pickled (scale removed), No. 6
No. 7
Standard polish tampico finish (soft luster, satin finish)
High luster polish (glossy, bright, buffed finish)
X2.1.1.3 Rough-turned (round bars only),
X2.1.1.4 Cold-drawn, Strip
X2.1.1.5 Centerless-ground (round stock only), and Finish Description
No. 2 Full finish, bright cold rolled
X2.1.1.6 Polished (rounded stock only). No. 1 Full finish, dull cold rolled
X2.1.2 Sheet and Strip Stock—The common finishes ap-
plied to sheet and strip stock are:

X3. CONDITION FOR ELECTRODEPOSITION

X3.1 All of the common grades of stainless steel with finished product. Grinding checks, glazing, and heat-treating
normal heat treatments, in the full range of hardness, and in the stains on the stainless steel should be avoided.
forms mentioned above, with any surface finish free of scale,
and when properly activated may be covered with electrode- X3.3 The high-carbon grades (UNS Types 42000, 44002,
posits of commonly electrodeposited metals. 44003, and 44004) may be subject to hydrogen embrittlement
during electroplating operations. This may be overcome by
X3.2 The smoothness of stainless steel surface to be elec- heating the electroplated articles at 150 to 260 °C for 1 to 3 h
troplated should be comparable with the requirement of the after electroplating.