Standard Practice for Testing Non-Chromate Coatings on Zinc and Cadmium Surfaces

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is applicable to non-chromate coatings that are colorless, colored, electrochemically applied or non-electrochemically applied. The zinc or cadmium, or both, may be electrodeposited, mechanically deposited, hot-dipped, rolled, or in the form of castings.  
4.2 Because of variables inherent in the salt-spray test which may differ from one test cabinet to another, interpretation of test results for compliance with expected performance should be specified by the purchaser.  
4.3 Properties such as thickness, color, luster, and ability to provide good paint adhesion are not covered in this practice, nor are the chemical composition and the method of application of these finishes.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for evaluating the protective value of chemical and electrochemical conversion coatings produced by non-chromate (chromate being defined as a compound that has chromium in the plus six oxidation state, and as such, chromium compounds in other oxidation states, such as plus three, shall not be excluded) treatments of zinc and cadmium surfaces.  
1.2 The protective value of a non-chromate coating is usually determined by salt-spray test and by determining whether or not the coating possesses adequate abrasion resistance when applied for that purpose.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
30-Apr-2020
Drafting Committee
B08.07 - Conversion Coatings

Relations

Effective Date
01-May-2020
Effective Date
01-Oct-2011
Effective Date
01-Jul-2009
Effective Date
15-Dec-2007
Effective Date
01-Mar-2007
Effective Date
01-Oct-2003
Effective Date
10-Oct-2002
Effective Date
10-Apr-1997

Overview

ASTM B940-05(2020), issued by ASTM International, provides a standard practice for the testing of non-chromate coatings applied to zinc and cadmium surfaces. This standard outlines procedures to evaluate the protective value of non-chromate chemical and electrochemical conversion coatings, beneficial for industries seeking alternatives to hexavalent chromium-based finishes for environmental or regulatory reasons. The document is globally recognized, developed in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles, and is overseen by the ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings.

Key Topics

  • Scope of Application: The standard applies to colorless or colored non-chromate coatings, whether electrochemically or non-electrochemically applied, on zinc or cadmium surfaces. These metals may be electrodeposited, mechanically deposited, hot-dipped, rolled, or cast.
  • Testing Procedures: Primary evaluation methods include salt-spray testing (per ASTM B117) and abrasion resistance tests, designed to assess the ability of the coating to resist corrosion and mechanical wear.
  • Interpretation of Results: Due to inherent variations in salt-spray equipment and processes, purchasers are advised to define specific performance requirements and acceptance criteria.
  • Exclusions: The standard does not address physical properties such as coating thickness, color, or luster, nor does it cover paint adhesion or detailed chemical composition.
  • Surface Preparation: Thorough cleaning of specimen surfaces is critical; only gentle wiping is recommended, and degreasing with solvents or abrasive cleaning should be avoided to prevent influencing the test results.
  • Significant Surfaces: Only areas visible and susceptible to wear or corrosion are evaluated, while areas typically difficult to coat may be excluded.

Applications

ASTM B940-05(2020) is widely used in industries that require environmentally friendly and effective corrosion protection for zinc and cadmium components, such as:

  • Automotive manufacturing: Testing non-chromate passivations on fasteners and body components to limit white corrosion and increase longevity.
  • Aerospace and defense: Verifying alternative protective coatings that meet strict environmental and performance standards.
  • Electronics and hardware production: Ensuring compliance with international regulations limiting the use of hexavalent chromium.
  • Plating and finishing: Quality control for alternative conversion coatings on hardware, mechanical parts, and construction materials.

By following this standard, organizations demonstrate compliance with international best practices, support regulatory objectives (such as RoHS), and optimize product durability without relying on hazardous chromium(VI) compounds.

Related Standards

For comprehensive evaluation and compliance, the following related ASTM standards are often referenced alongside ASTM B940-05(2020):

  • ASTM B117: Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus – the referenced method for conducting corrosion resistance testing on coated samples.
  • ASTM B201 & B499: Related test methods for measuring mass per unit area or coating thickness.
  • Other Conversion Coating Standards: Depending on base metal or application, referencing standards for phosphate, anodic, or other chemical treatments may also be necessary.

Keywords: non-chromate coatings, zinc coatings, cadmium coatings, salt spray test, corrosion resistance, ASTM B940, environmental compliance, electrochemical conversion, protective coatings, metallic surface finishes

This standard is essential for manufacturers, quality engineers, and purchasers seeking to implement and verify reliable non-chromate protective coatings on zinc and cadmium substrates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM B940-05(2020) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Testing Non-Chromate Coatings on Zinc and Cadmium Surfaces". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This practice is applicable to non-chromate coatings that are colorless, colored, electrochemically applied or non-electrochemically applied. The zinc or cadmium, or both, may be electrodeposited, mechanically deposited, hot-dipped, rolled, or in the form of castings. 4.2 Because of variables inherent in the salt-spray test which may differ from one test cabinet to another, interpretation of test results for compliance with expected performance should be specified by the purchaser. 4.3 Properties such as thickness, color, luster, and ability to provide good paint adhesion are not covered in this practice, nor are the chemical composition and the method of application of these finishes. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers a procedure for evaluating the protective value of chemical and electrochemical conversion coatings produced by non-chromate (chromate being defined as a compound that has chromium in the plus six oxidation state, and as such, chromium compounds in other oxidation states, such as plus three, shall not be excluded) treatments of zinc and cadmium surfaces. 1.2 The protective value of a non-chromate coating is usually determined by salt-spray test and by determining whether or not the coating possesses adequate abrasion resistance when applied for that purpose. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This practice is applicable to non-chromate coatings that are colorless, colored, electrochemically applied or non-electrochemically applied. The zinc or cadmium, or both, may be electrodeposited, mechanically deposited, hot-dipped, rolled, or in the form of castings. 4.2 Because of variables inherent in the salt-spray test which may differ from one test cabinet to another, interpretation of test results for compliance with expected performance should be specified by the purchaser. 4.3 Properties such as thickness, color, luster, and ability to provide good paint adhesion are not covered in this practice, nor are the chemical composition and the method of application of these finishes. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers a procedure for evaluating the protective value of chemical and electrochemical conversion coatings produced by non-chromate (chromate being defined as a compound that has chromium in the plus six oxidation state, and as such, chromium compounds in other oxidation states, such as plus three, shall not be excluded) treatments of zinc and cadmium surfaces. 1.2 The protective value of a non-chromate coating is usually determined by salt-spray test and by determining whether or not the coating possesses adequate abrasion resistance when applied for that purpose. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 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.

ASTM B940-05(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 25.220.99 - Other treatments and coatings. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM B940-05(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM B940-05(2014), ASTM B117-11, ASTM B117-09, ASTM B117-07a, ASTM B117-07, ASTM B117-03, ASTM B117-02, ASTM B117-97. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ASTM B940-05(2020) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


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: B940 − 05 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Testing Non-Chromate Coatings on Zinc and Cadmium
Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B940; 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.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Descriptions of Terms:
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for evaluating the
3.1.1 time to failure—time to failure will depend on the type
protective value of chemical and electrochemical conversion
of coating tested. The minimum expected protective value
coatingsproducedbynon-chromate(chromatebeingdefinedas
obtainable in a given salt spray test is given in Appendix X2.
a compound that has chromium in the plus six oxidation state,
3.1.1.1 Discussion—In most instances, failure is defined as
and as such, chromium compounds in other oxidation states,
the first appearance on significant surfaces of white corrosion
suchasplusthree,shallnotbeexcluded)treatmentsofzincand
products visible to the unaided eye at normal reading distance,
cadmium surfaces.
except that the presence of white corrosion products at sharp
1.2 The protective value of a non-chromate coating is
edges (for example, on threaded fasteners) and at junctions
usually determined by salt-spray test and by determining
between dissimilar metals should not be considered failure. In
whether or not the coating possesses adequate abrasion resis-
some instances, it may be desirable to regard the first appear-
tance when applied for that purpose.
ance of red rust as failure.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.2 significant surfaces—in general, significant surfaces
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
are those surfaces that are visible and subject to corrosion or
standard.
wear, or both, except that surfaces that are normally difficult to
coat by electroplating or mechanical deposition may be ex-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
empt. The designation of significant surfaces may be indicated
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
on the drawing.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Significance and Use
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 This practice is applicable to non-chromate coatings that
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
are colorless, colored, electrochemically applied or non-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
electrochemically applied. The zinc or cadmium, or both, may
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
be electrodeposited, mechanically deposited, hot-dipped,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
rolled, or in the form of castings.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.2 Because of variables inherent in the salt-spray test
which may differ from one test cabinet to another, interpreta-
2. Referenced Documents
tion of test results for compliance with expected performance
should be specified by the purchaser.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus 4.3 Properties such as thickness, color, luster, and ability to
provide good paint adhesion are not covered in this practice,
nor are the chemical composition and the method of applica-
tion of these finishes.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.07 on
5. Conditioning
Conversion Coatings.
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally
5.1 Aging—Before subjecting a non-chromate coating to
approvedin2000.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2014asB940 –05(2014).DOI:
test, check with the chemical producer to determine if aging is
10.1520/B0940-05R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or an issue that needs to be considered.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.2 Preparation of Specimen—The test surface must be free
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. of fingerprints and other extraneous stains and must not be
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