Preliminary Requirements

Safety Requirements

WARNING

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO OBTAIN AND OBSERVE THE MANUFACTURER'S MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS FOR CONSUMABLE MATERIALS. THESE CONTAIN INFORMATION SUCH AS, HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS, PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, FIRE, EXPLOSION, REACTIVITY, HEALTH HAZARD DATA, PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING, USE AND CONTROL MEASURES AND ALSO TO TAKE LOCAL REGULATIONS IN TO CONSIDERATION.

WARNING

SAFETY NOTICES MUST BE PLACED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE

WARNING

EVERY POSSIBLE CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID THE SOLUTION COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE EYES OR BARE SKIN. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING INCLUDING RUBBER GLOVES AND GOGGLES MUST BE PROVIDED FOR THE OPERATORS WHEN PREPARING AND USING THE NITRIC ACID SOLUTION. RUBBER GLOVES SHOULD BE CHECKED REGULARLY FOR PIN HOLES AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

WARNING

EYE-WASH BOTTLE AND HF BURN JELLY MUST BE PROVIDED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE PLACE OF WORK.

WARNING

IF SKIN BECOMES CONTAMINATED WITH THE SOLUTION IT MUST BE RINSED WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF CLEAN RUNNING WATER.

WARNING

ALL BURNS, HOWEVER SLIGHT, SHOULD BE TREATED AT THE NEAREST SURGERY OR FIRST AID POST.

WARNING

THE SURGERY MUST BE TOLD WHICH SOLUTION (THE ACIDS INVOLVED) HAVE CAUSED THE BURN.

Procedure

1. SUBTASK 70-33-08-300-001 Electroless Nickel Plating Procedures

   1. NOTE

      Always apply the special instructions, given in the SPM TASK 70-33-00-330-501. For Make-up of the solutions refer to the SPM TASK 70-33-08-100-501 and for the test and control of the solutions refer to the SPM TASK 70-33-08-200-502.

      Degrease components.

      1. NOTE

         After aqueous cleaning ensure components are flushed thoroughly in cold water to remove cleaning solution residue and are dried.

         Degrease the components using the SPM TASK 70-11-01-300-503 (vapor degrease), or SPM TASK 70-11-03-300-503 (aqueous cleaning).

   2. Mask component.

      1. When necessary, apply a mask to the components, as specified in the SPM TASK 70-38-24-300-503.

   3. Surface Preparation.

      1. NOTE

         After aqueous cleaning ensure components are flushed thoroughly in cold water to remove cleaning solution residue and are dried.

         Clean.

         1. If necessary, clean the components using the SPM TASK 70-11-03-300-503, (aqueous cleaning), or alternatively for localized contamination, swab clean using the SPM TASK 70-11-26-300-503.

      2. Nitric-hydrofluoric acid etch.

         1. Etch the components in the nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid solution (refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-003 for make up of the nitric acid-hydrofluoric acid mixture), at ambient temperature, for 2 to 4 minutes.

         2. Flush the components in cold water to remove acid residues.

      3. Immerse the components fully into the nitric acid solution (refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-005), at ambient temperature, for between 1 and 2 minutes, to remove any smut.

         1. Flush the components in cold water to remove nitric acid residue.

      4. Apply Zincate.

         1. 
            CAUTION
            DO NOT LEAVE PARTS IN THE ZINCATE SOLUTION LONGER THAN NECESSARY BECAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SURFACE OF THE PARTS MAY OCCUR.

            Immerse the components fully in the zincate solution (refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-004 for make-up of zincate solution) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. (For guidance, this is typically between for 1 to 2 minutes, at ambient temperature.).

            1. Flush the components in cold water to remove solution residue.

         2. Put the components into the nitric acid solution (refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-005), at ambient temperature, for 1 to 2 minutes, to remove the initial zincate coating.

            1. Flush the components in cold water to remove nitric acid residue.

         3. 
            CAUTION
            DO NOT LEAVE PARTS IN THE ZINCATE SOLUTION LONGER THAN NECESSARY BECAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SURFACE OF THE PARTS MAY OCCUR.

            NOTE

            If necessary, repeat nitric acid etch, cold water flush and application of zincate (steps) again for aluminum castings.

            Re-immerse parts fully in the zincate solution to apply the second zincate coating (refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-004 for make-up of zincate solution) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. (For guidance, this is typically for between for 30 seconds and 1 minute, at ambient temperature.).

            1. Flush the components in cold water to remove zincate residues.

   4. Electroless Nickel Plate.

      1. NOTE

         The usual coating rate is approximately 14 micrometers/hour.

         Immerse the components fully in the electroless nickel plating solution (For make-up of Solution Code 86 (Niklad 1000AM CoMat 03-356 ELECTROLESS Ni SOURCE/REPLENISHER) refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-006), for make-up of Solution Code 155 (OMG Fidelity 5005A CoMat 01-537 Electroless Nickel Plating Solution A) refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-008, for make-up of other electroless nickel solutions (Niposit 65 CoMat 03-230 PLATING MATERIAL or OMat 1/6 series) refer to SUBTASK 70-33-08-100-009.

         Flush the components in cold water.

      2. Remove any masking from the components, see the SPM TASK 70-38-24-380-501.

      3. Flush the components in hot water.

      4. NOTE

         If instructed by the repair scheme, to improve adhesive parts may be heated to 150 deg C for 1 hour after plating.

         Dry the components using an air blast.

   5. Preserve.

      1. When necessary apply preservation to the components, as specified in the SPM TASK 70-38-05-380-501.

   6. Inspect.

      1. Examine the components, as specified on the Inspection Operation Sheet, or the Operation Sequence Sheet, or as specified in SUBTASK 70-33-08-200-005. Replace defective plating as follows:

         1. Remove the nickel plating by putting the parts fully into a 55 percent nitric acid solution (see SUBTASK 70-33-06-100-002-A004 for make-up of the solution) or a 50 percent nitric acid solution (see SUBTASK 70-33-06-100-002-A05 for make-up of the solution), at a temperature of 68 deg F (20 deg C) until the electroless nickel has been removed.

         2. Rinse the parts thoroughly and dry using compressed air before returning for replating.