Abstract
This specification establishes the requirements for electrodeposited palladium coatings for use in engineering applications. This specification also covers composite coatings of palladium with a thin gold overplate for applications involving electrical contacts. The plating system shall indicate the basis metal involved, thickness of the underplates, thickness of the palladium coating, and grade of the gold overplate. Coatings shall be sampled, tested, and conform accordingly to specified requirements as to purity, appearance, thickness, dutility, adhesion (to be examined either by bend, heat, or cutting test), and integrity (gross defects, mechanical damage, and porosity).
This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers requirements for electrodeposited palladium coatings containing at least 99.7 mass % of palladium metal. Composite coatings consisting of palladium with a thin gold overplate for applications involving electrical contacts are also covered.
1.2 Properties—Palladium is the lightest and least noble of the platinum group metals. It has a specific gravity of 12.0, which is substantially less than gold (19.3) and platinum (21.5). This yields a greater volume or thickness of coating and, consequently, some saving of metal weight accompanied by a small sacrifice in corrosion resistance and reflectivity. The following table compares the hardness range of electrodeposited palladium with other electrodeposited noble metals and alloys (1,2).
| Approximate Hardness (HK25) |
| Gold | 50–250 |
| Palladium | 75–600 |
| Platinum | 150–550 |
| Palladium-Nickel | 300–650 |
| Rhodium | 750–1100 |
| Ruthenium | 600–1300 |
1.3 The values stated in SI units are the preferred values. Values provided in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
B183 Practice for Preparation of Low-Carbon Steel for Electroplating
B242 Guide for Preparation of High-Carbon Steel for Electroplating
B254 Practice for Preparation of and Electroplating on Stainless Steel
B281 Practice for Preparation of Copper and Copper-Base Alloys for Electroplating and Conversion Coatings
B322 Guide for Cleaning Metals Prior to Electroplating
B343 Practice for Preparation of Nickel for Electroplating with Nickel
B374 Terminology Relating to Electroplating
B481 Practice for Preparation of Titanium and Titanium Alloys for Electroplating
B482 Practice for Preparation of Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys for Electroplating
B487 Test Method for Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopical Examination of Cross Section
B488 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Gold for Engineering Uses
B489 Practice for Bend Test for Ductility of Electrodeposited and Autocatalytically Deposited Metal Coatings on Metals
B499 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses by the Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on Magnetic Basis Metals
B507 Practice for Design of Articles to Be Electroplated on Racks
B542 Terminology Relating to Electrical Contacts and Their Use
B558 Practice for Preparation of Nickel Alloys for Electroplating
B567 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by the Beta Backscatter Method
B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spectrometry
B571 Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
B689 Specification for Electroplated Engineering Nickel Coatings
B697 Guide for Selection of Sampling Plans for Inspection of Electrodeposited Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
B741 Test Method for Porosity In Gold Coatings On Metal Substrates By Paper Electrography
B748 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by Measurement of Cross Section with a Scanning Electron Microscope
B762 Test Method of Variables Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
B765 Guide for Selection of Porosity and Gross Defect Tests for Electrodeposits and Related Metallic Coatings
B799 Test Method for Porosity in Gold and Palladium Coatings by Sulfurous Acid/Sulfur-Dioxide Vapor
B809 Test Method for Porosity in Metallic Coatings by Humid Sulfur Vapor (Flowers-of-Sulfur)
D1125 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Resistivity of Water
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
Keywords
connectors; contacts; electrical connectors; electrical contacts; engineering coatings; palladium; palladium coatings; palladium electrodeposits; palladium platings; Electrodeposited Pd coatings--specifications; Engineered electrodeposited coatings--specifications; Palladium alloy electrical contact materials ;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 25.220.40 (Metallic coatings)
DOI: 10.1520/B0679-98R09
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