**Process Specification for Electrodeposited Nickel Plating**

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| **Engineering Directorate**                                           |
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| **Structural Engineering Division**                                   |
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| **October 2004**                                                      |
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| ![](media/image1.png){width="1.4027777777777777in"                    |
| height="1.1534722222222222in"}                                        |
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| National Aeronautics and                                              |
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| Space Administration                                                  |
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| **Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center**                                    |
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| Houston, Texas                                                        |
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**Process Specification for Electrodeposited Nickel Plating**

+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
| **Prepared      |                                  |      |         |
| by:**           |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 | Julie A. Henkener,               |      | Date    |
|                 |                                  |      |         |
|                 | Materials and Processes          |      |         |
|                 | Branch/ES4                       |      |         |
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|                 |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+

+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
| **Approved      |                                  |      |         |
| by:**           |                                  |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+
|                 | Brad S. Files, Acting Chief      |      | Date    |
|                 |                                  |      |         |
|                 | Materials and Processes Branch   |      |         |
|                 | /ES4                             |      |         |
+-----------------+----------------------------------+------+---------+

  ----------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------
  REVISIONS                                                 

  VERSION     CHANGES                                       DATE

  Baseline    Original version                              5/14/96

  A           Typo on p. 3, formatting, and increased       7/14/98
              bakeout for steel alloys                      

  B           Changed EM2 references to ES4, reviewed for   6/2004
              accuracy                                      

  C           Updated specification reference to            10/2004
              AMS-QQ-N-290                                  

                                                            
  ----------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------

**1.0 [SCOPE]{.underline}**

This process specification establishes technical requirements for the
application of electrodeposited nickel plating on steel, copper and
copper alloys, and zinc and zinc alloys.

**2.0 [APPLICABILITY]{.underline}**

This process specification applies to the electrodeposition of nickel
plating on substrates of steel, copper, zinc, and their alloys.

**3.0 [USAGE]{.underline}**

This process specification shall be called out on the engineering
drawing by using a drawing note that identifies the process
specification, the class, and the grade (if applicable). For example:

**NICKEL PLATE PER NASA/JSC PRC 5004, CLASS 1, GRADE D.**

The two classes of electrodeposited nickel plating are:

Class 1 Corrosion protective nickel plating (0.0002-0.0016 in. thick)

Class 2 Engineering nickel plating (\>0.002 in. thick)

Class 1 plating is used to protect iron, copper, or zinc alloys against
corrosive attack in rural, industrial, or marine environments, which
varies depending on the thickness of the nickel deposit. It may also be
used as an undercoat for a chromium plating or for aesthetic purposes.

Class 2 plating is used primarily for wear resistance, abrasion
resistance, and incidental corrosion protection. Heavy deposits of Class
2 plating, such as those produced by the Watts bath process, may be used
for build-up of worn or undersized parts.

Class 1 nickel plating shall be one of the following grades,
as-specified on the engineering drawing:

Grade A 0.0016 in. thick Grade E 0.0006 in. thick

Grade B 0.0012 in. thick Grade F 0.0004 in. thick

Grade C 0.0010 in. thick Grade G 0.0002 in. thick

Grade D 0.0008 in. thick

The default thickness for a Class 2 nickel plating is 0.003 in. If a
different thickness is desired, it must be 0.002 in. or greater, and it
must be specified on the engineering drawing.

1.  **WORK INSTRUCTIONS**

Work instructions shall be generated for implementing this process
specification. The work instructions shall contain sufficient detail to
ensure that the manufacturing process produces consistent, repeatable
products that comply with this specification.

**4.0 [REFERENCES]{.underline}**

The following references were used in developing this process
specification:

SOP-007.1 *Preparation and Revision of Process Specifications*

JSC 8500C *Engineering Drawing System Requirements*

The following document is called out as an extension of the requirements
given in this specification:

AMS-QQ-N-290 Aerospace Material Specification/Nickel Plating
(Electrodeposited)

**5.0 [MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS]{.underline}**

The materials used shall meet the requirements of AMS-QQ-N-290.

**6.0 [PROCESS REQUIREMENTS]{.underline}**

All electrodeposited nickel plating shall be applied according to the
requirements of AMS-QQ-N-290 with the following exception:

All steel parts which have a hardness of Rockwell C40 and higher shall
be subjected to a hydrogen bakeout procedure immediately following
plating. The parts shall be baked at 375 +/- 25°F for a minimum of 23
hours to provide hydrogen embrittlement relief.

**7.0 [PROCESS QUALIFICATION]{.underline}**

Not required.

1.  **[PROCESS VERIFICATION]{.underline}**

The process verification shall include visual examination, adhesion
tests, and thickness measurements, as-specified by AMS-QQ-N-290A In
addition, steel parts shall be tested for hardness. All steel parts
having a hardness of Rockwell C40 or higher shall be baked out within 4
hours of the plating process at a minimum of 375 +/- 25°F for a duration
of 23 hours or longer for hydrogen embrittlement relief.

**9.0 [TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL]{.underline}**

This nickel plating process shall be performed by personnel qualified to
conduct the process through training or experience. If this process is
performed by an outside vendor, the development of an appropriate
training program shall be the responsibility of the vendor.

**10.0 [DEFINITIONS]{.underline}**

Electrodeposition The electrodeposition process consists of putting a
conductive material from a plating solution onto a substrate by the
application of an electric current.

Substrate The material, component, or workpiece to which the nickel
plating is deposited.