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    ASTM B556 - 90(2013)

    Standard Guide for Measurement of Thin Chromium Coatings by Spot Test

    Active Standard ASTM B556 | Developed by Subcommittee: B08.10

    Book of Standards Volume: 02.05

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    Significance and Use

    4.1 The thickness of a decorative chromium coating is often critical to its performance.

    4.2 This procedure is useful for an approximate determination when the best possible accuracy is not required. For more reliable determinations, the following methods are available: Methods B504, B568, and B588.

    4.3 This test assumes that the rate of dissolution of the chromium by the hydrochloric acid under the specified conditions is always the same.

    1. Scope

    1.1 This guide covers the use of the spot test for the measurement of thicknesses of electrodeposited chromium coatings over nickel and stainless steel with an accuracy of about ±20 % (Section 9). It is applicable to thicknesses up to 1.2 μm.2

    Note 1—Although this test can be used for coating thicknesses up to 1.2 μm, there is evidence that the results obtained by this method are high at thicknesses greater than 0.5 μm.3 In addition, for coating thicknesses above 0.5 μm, it is advisable to use a double drop of acid to prevent depletion of the test solution before completion of the test.

    1.2 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

    B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method

    B568 Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spectrometry

    B588 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Transparent or Opaque Coatings by Double-Beam Interference Microscope Technique

    ICS Code

    ICS Number Code 25.220.40 (Metallic coatings)

    UNSPSC Code

    UNSPSC Code 11171600(Stainless steel alloys); 11101711(Non ferrous alloy)

    Referencing This Standard
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    DOI: 10.1520/B0556

    Citation Format

    ASTM B556-90(2013), Standard Guide for Measurement of Thin Chromium Coatings by Spot Test, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2013, www.astm.org

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