MIL-STD-865D
5.2 General plating procedure. This procedure is listed for general discussion. For specific applications see paragraph 5.3 and the solution manufacturer's instructions.
a. Prior preparation. Selective plating cleaning solutions are not designed to remove large amounts of grease, oil, oxide, and scale. Mechanical methods should be used to remove large amounts of scale or oxides. Approved solvents or cleaning solutions should be used to remove large amounts of grease or oil.
b. Electro-clean. Use electro-clean to remove residue amounts of grease, oil, and light oxide film. Forward current is normally used by reverse current can be used to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. Use electro-cleaning for areas larger than the area to be plated.
c. Rinse. The purpose of the rinse is to remove all of the previous solution, so that the following solution will not be contaminated. Rinsing is a very important step, and usually but not always follows each step. Rinse a larger area than the area to be plated. Use clear tap water; water clean enough to drink is suitable for brush plating methods. DO NOT USE DEIONIZED WATER.
d. Etch. Etch the surface as required. Small amounts of oxides may still remain on the surface of many materials after electro-cleaning. "Flowed" metal is often present on the surface from machining, grinding, and polishing operations or through usage of the part. The etching operation is used with reverse current and is continued until the oxide film, flowed metal and contaminated surface material have been removed and a uniform "grainy" surface appearance is obtained.
e. De-smutting. The etching operation on some materials results in the formation of a loose layer carbon. This layer causes poor adhesion to the base material. This layer can be removed by an appropriate de-smutting operation. The de-smutting is completed when the surface is uniform in appearance, and continued de- smutting does not result in the surface becoming lighter in color.
f. Activating. Activate the surface as required for plating on aluminum alloys, high alloy steel, stainless steel, chromium, nickel, or nickel alloys. The purpose of the activation step is to remove the characteristically passive surface of these metals.
g. Pre-plate. Pre-plating is required. In many cases to obtain maximum adhesion, pre-plates of a suitable metal are deposited prior to deposition of the metal desired. Follow solution manufacturer's recommendations for bonding and pre-plate thickness.
h. Electro-plate. The final preparatory operation should be followed as soon as possible by the plating operation. Electro-plate in accordance with the solution manufacturer's instructions.
dry rags.
i. Dry. Dry using a warm air blower, paper toweling, or clean
5.3 Alternate activation method. An alternate method for activation of base metals is the abrasive blast method. There are distinct advantages to this type of activation procedure, such as, speed and consistency. Abrasive blast activation works
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