ASTM B380-97(2008)e1

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: B380 − 97 (Reapproved 2008)
StandardTest Method for
Corrosion Testing of Decorative Electrodeposited Coatings
by the Corrodkote Procedure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B380; 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.
´ NOTE—The units statement in subsection 1.2 was corrected editorially in April 2008.
1. Scope B604 Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of
2 Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics
1.1 This test method covers the Corrodkote method of
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
evaluating the corrosion performance of copper/nickel/
chromium and nickel/chromium coatings electrodeposited on
3. Summary of Test Method
steel, zinc alloys, aluminum alloys, plastics and other sub-
3.1 The test is conducted by applying a slurry containing
strates.
corrosivesaltstotestspecimens,allowingtheslurrytodry,and
NOTE 1—The following ASTM standards are not requirements. They
exposingthespecimenscoatedwiththeslurrytoahighrelative
are reference for information only: Practice B537, Specification B456,
humidity for a specified period of time.
Test Method B602, and Specification B604.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.1 Nickel/chromium and copper/nickel/chromium elec-
standard.
trodeposited coatings are widely used for decorative and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
protective applications.The Corrodkote test provides a method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of controlling the quality of electroplated articles and is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
suitable for manufacturing control, as well as research and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
development.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
3 5.1 The apparatus shall consist of a humidity chamber,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specimen supports, provision for heating the chamber, and
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
provisions for air circulation in the chamber.
B456 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper
5.2 Drops of moisture that might accumulate on the ceiling
Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
B537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected or cover of the chamber of specimen supports shall not be
permitted to fall on the specimens being tested.
to Atmospheric Exposure
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and
NOTE 2—Suitable apparatus may be constructed from salt-spray equip-
Inorganic Coatings
ment by eliminating fog-spray nozzles, substituting water for the salt
solution in the reservoir, adding a manifold for bubbling air through the
water in the reservoir, and adding a fan for circulating the air in the
1 chamber with the fan discharge directed across the surface of the water in
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
the reservoir.
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
Test Methods.
5.3 Materials of construction shall not affect the corrosive-
The original work in developing the Corrodkote procedure was initiated by the
ness of the test.
American Electroplaters’ Society Research Committee, Project No. 15.
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as B380 – 85 (2007).
6. Procedure
DOI: 10.1520/B0380-97R08E01.
6.1 Corrodkote Slurry—Prepare the Corrodkote slurry in a
Bigge, D. M., “Experience with the Use of the Corrodkote Test,” Proceedings,
Am. Electroplaters’ Soc., Vol. 46, 1959, p. 149.
glass beaker by dissolving 0.035 g of reagent grade cupric
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
nitrate (Cu(NO ) ·3H O), 0.165 g of ACS reagent grade ferric
3 2 2
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
chloride (FeCl ·6H O), and 1.0 g of ACS reagent grade
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 3 2
the ASTM website. ammonium chloride (NH Cl) in 50 mLof water conforming to
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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B380 − 97 (Reapproved 2008)
each chamber. An Abbeon certified hygrometer Model No. 167, or its
Specification D1193, Type IV. Stir 30 g of water-washed,
equivalent is a suitable instrument for measuring the relative humidity of
ceramic-grade kaolin into the solution. Mix the slurry thor-
the exposure zone of the humidity chamber.
oughly and allow it to stand for about 2 min so that the kaolin
6.7 Test Cycle—Exposure in the humidity chamber shall be
will become saturated. Mix the slurry thoroughly just before
continuous for periods up to 20 h.Asingle test period up to 20
using.
h shall be considered as one cycle. Continuous operation
6.1.1 An alternative method of preparing the Corrodkote
implies that the humidity chamber be closed and operated
slurry is as follows. Weigh out 2.5 g of cupric nitrate
continuously except for the short interruptions necessary to
(Cu(NO ) ·3H O), and dissolve and dilute with distilled water
3 2 2
place or remove test specimens. Operations shall be so sched-
in a volumetric flask to exactly 500 mL. Weigh out 2.50 g of
uled that these interruptions are held to a minimum. When
ferric chloride (FeCl ·6H O), and dissolve and dilute with
3 2
more than one test cycle of 20 h or less is specified, the test
distilled water in a second volumetric flask to exactly 500 mL.
specimen shall be treated as outlined in 6.9 after each test
(The ferric chloride solution shall be kept in a dark place and
cycle. Fresh slurry shall be applied for each succeeding cycle.
stoppered with a rubber or glass stopper when not in use.) (The
After the last test cycle, the test specimen shall be treated as
ferric chloride solution shall not be more than 2 weeks old,
outlined in 6.9.
since older solutions become unstable.) Weigh out 50.0 g of
ammonium chloride (NH Cl) and dissolve and dilute with
6.8 Period of Test—The period of each test cy
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