Preliminary Requirements

Procedure

1. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-001 Contents

   Contents		TASK 70-33-28-300-001
   Safety Precautions		TASK 70-33-28-300-002
   Scope		TASK 70-33-28-300-004
   Masking		TASK 70-33-28-300-005
   Cleaning		TASK 70-33-28-300-006
   Removal of Plating		TASK 70-33-28-300-007
   Electrochemical Cleaning		TASK 70-33-28-300-008
   Surface Activation		TASK 70-33-28-300-009
   Plating		TASK 70-33-28-300-010
   De-embrittlement		TASK 70-33-28-300-011

2. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-002 Safety Precautions

   
   WARNING
   IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO OBTAIN AND OBSERVE THE MANUFACTURER'S MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS FOR CONSUMABLE MATERIALS 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 INTO CONSIDERATION.

   1. Follow equipment and solution manufacturer's instructions.

3. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-004 Scope

   
   CAUTION
   QUALIFIED BRUSH PLATE OPERATORS MUST BE THE ONLY PERSONS PERMITTED TO DO THIS PROCEDURE. INITIAL PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION MUST BE CERTIFIED BY THE BRUSH PLATE SOLUTION/EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER. REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY AGAIN CAN BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OPERATING FACILITY WHICH USES GUIDELINES FROM THE BRUSH PLATE SOLUTION/EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER.

   1. This Standard Practices and Process Procedure is a generic outline for brush application of nickel deposits as specified by AMS 2403 and AMS 2424. Since variations in surface preparation and process solutions are possible, you can modify these process steps to agree with those recommended by the IAE-approved solution source.

4. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-005 Masking

   1. Mask areas not to be stripped. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-38-24-300-503.

5. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-006 Cleaning

   
   CAUTION
   IF PARTS ARE MASKED WITH WAX, TEMPERATURE MUST NOT EXCEED 57 DEG C (135 DEG F) TO PREVENT EXPOSING MASKED AREAS.

   1. Clean parts by one of the methods that follow:

      NOTE

      Current must be off when parts go into or out of the solution.

      1. Alkali Clean - Option A.

         1. Use one of the solutions that follows: Solution Code 48 alkali smut removal solution, or Solution Code 58 alkali cleaner (heavy duty, phosphate free), or Solution Code 137 heavy duty electrolytic cleaner solution (without phosphate or cyanide), or Solution Code 154 electrolytic cleaner solution (cyanide-type, phosphate-free), or Solution Code 156 alkali smut removal solution.

         2. Solution temperature must be between 110 to 130 deg F (43 and 54 deg C).

         3. Current must be between 25 and 35 Amps/sq ft. Use an alternating cycle of 10 seconds anodic, 10 seconds cathodic and end cycle on anodic.

         4. Put parts fully in cleaning solution and clean for 1 to 3 minutes.

            NOTE

            Current must off when parts go into or out of the solution.

      2. Alkali Clean - Option B.

         May be used as an alternative to Option A.

         1. Use one of the solutions that follow: Solution Code 39 heavy duty alkali cleaner solution or Solution Code 47 heavy duty alkali cleaner solution.

         2. Solution temperature must be between 120 to 210 deg F (49 and 99 deg C), or Solution Code 165 electrolytic cleaner solution (noncyanide).

         3. Current must be between 10 and 15 Amps/sq ft (anodic only).

   2. Clean Water Rinse.

      1. Fully rinse parts in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

6. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-007 Removal of plating

   
   CAUTION
   SINCE THIS PROCEDURE WILL ALSO STRIP OTHER METALS, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PROTECT PLATED AREAS, WHICH ARE NOT TO BE STRIPPED, WITH MASKING MATERIALS. ANY OF THE HARDFACE-TYPE COATINGS CAN ALSO BE DAMAGED OR REMOVED, AND MUST BE CHECKED AND RESTORED AS APPLICABLE BEFORE PLATING THE NICKEL AGAIN.
   
   CAUTION
   SOLUTION CODE 28 - 55 PERCENT NITRIC ACID SOLUTION, OR SOLUTION CODE 54 NICKEL STRIP SOLUTION (CYANIDE), OR SOLUTION CODE 56 NICKEL STRIP SOLUTION (WITHOUT CYANIDE), OR SOLUTION CODE 59 NICKEL STRIP SOLUTION (WITHOUT CYANIDE), OR SOLUTION CODE 60 NICKEL STRIP SOLUTION (CYANIDE) MUST NOT BE USED FOR STRIPPING NICKEL PLATE FROM SILVER AND COPPER ALLOY BRAZED PARTS.
   
   CAUTION
   TO PREVENT DAMAGE SOLUTION CODE 28 - 55 PERCENT NITRIC ACID MUST NOT BE USED ON PARTS THAT CONTAIN 10 PERCENT, OR MORE, MOLYBDENUM.

   1. Remove plating by one of the methods that follow:

      1. Method 1: Removal of plating with Solution Code 54 nickel strip solution (cyanide), or Solution Code 56 multiple strip solution (cyanide), or Solution Code 60 nickel strip solution (cyanide).

         1. Solution temperature to be 120 deg F maximum (49 deg C maximum).

         2. Put the part fully in the stripping solution for the time necessary to remove the plating.

      2. Method 2: Removal of plating with Solution Code 28 - 55 percent nitric acid.

         1. This stripping operation is done at room temperature.

         2. Put the part fully in the stripping solution for the time necessary to remove the plating.

      3. Method 3: Removal of plating with Solution Code 59 nickel strip solution (without cyanide).

         1. Solution temperature to be between 100 and 120 deg F (38 and 49 deg C).

         2. Put the part fully in the stripping solution for the time necessary to remove the plating.

      4. Method 4: Removal of plating with Solution Code 57 nickel strip solution (without cyanide) for silver or copper alloy brazed parts, or Solution Code 61 nickel strip solution (without cyanide) for silver or copper alloy brazed parts, or Solution Code 68 nickel strip solution (without cyanide) for silver or copper alloy brazed parts.

      5. 
         CAUTION
         IF PARTS ARE MASKED WITH WAX, THE TEMPERATURE MUST NOT BE MORE THAN 135 DEG F (57 DEG C) TO PREVENT EXPOSURE OF MASKED AREAS.

         1. Solution temperature to be between 125 and 175 deg F (52 and 79 deg C).

            NOTE

            Reduce Solution Code 57 nickel strip solution (without cyanide) for silver or copper alloy brazed parts, Solution Code 61 nickel strip solution (without cyanide) for silver or copper alloy brazed parts, and Solution Code 68 nickel strip solution (without cyanide) for silver or copper alloy brazed parts to room temperature when not in use to extend the life of the solution.

   2. Room Temperature Rinse.

      1. Rinse or flush parts with clean, room temperature water, for 30 seconds.

   3. Check.

      1. Visually check parts for total removal of plating.

   4. Remove Masking.

      1. Remove any masking. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-38-24-300-503.

   5. Hot Water Rinse.

      1. Rinse or flush parts with clean, hot water for 30 seconds. The water temperature must be 140 deg F Minimum (60 deg C Minimum).

   6. Air Dry.

      1. Remove water by air blowing until dry. Clean, dry, oil-free factory supply air is satisfactory.

   7. Corrosion Prevention.

      1. Preserve in a corrosion preventative, as required. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-38-37-300-503.

7. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-008 Electrochemical Cleaning Process

   1. Degrease.

      1. Degrease, if necessary. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-11-03-300-503.

   2. Stress-Relief.

      1. Steel parts with a hardness of Rockwell C40 or higher which have been repaired by grinding or machining are to be baked at 275 to 325 deg F (135 to 163 deg C) for 120 minutes.

   3. Masking.

      1. Mask as necessary. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-38-24-300-503.

         NOTE

         Use graphite, platinized or platinum electrodes whose geometries match the contour of the surface to be plated. Electrodes must touch a minimum of 20 percent of the surface areas, where possible.

         NOTE

         Each graphite electrode must be identified with the solution and polarity used on that specific electrode. Interchanging graphite electrodes between solutions or polarities is not permitted.

         NOTE

         Electrodes must be covered with white Scotchbrite, C bonnets, or cotton batting and cotton or dacron tube gauze.

   4. Clean Water Rinse.

      1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water, for 30 seconds.

   5. 
      CAUTION
      DO NOT USE ELECTROCHEMICAL CLEANING - OPTION A TO CLEAN WROUGHT ALLOY STEELS.

      Electrochemical Cleaning.

      1. Electrochemical Cleaning - Option A.

         1. Electrochemically clean with CoMat 01-512 Electrocleaner or CoMat 01-513 Cleaning and DeoxidizingSolution or CoMat 01-514 Electrocleaner Solution.

         2. Solution is to be at room temperature.

         3. Electrochemically clean at 10 to 20 volts forward polarity (cathodic) for 30 seconds.

      2. Electrochemical Cleaning of Wrought Alloy Steels - Option B.

         1. Electrochemically clean wrough alloy steels using reverse polarity to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.

         2. Electrochemically clean with CoMat 01-512 Electrocleaner or CoMat 01-513 Cleaning and DeoxidizingSolution or CoMat 01-514 Electrocleaner Solution.

         3. Solution is to be at room temperature.

         4. Electrochemically clean at 10 to 20 volts reverse polarity for 30 seconds.

            NOTE

            If water breaks occur, do steps Electrochemical Cleaning - Option B and Clean Water Rinse again until part is free from water breaks.

   6. Clean Water Rinse.

      1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water, for 30 seconds.

8. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-009 Surface Activation

   1. Activate the surface to be plated as follows:

      1. Nickel Base Alloys.

         Activate nickel based alloys as follows:

         1. If necessary, pre-wet and etch surface with activator solution until the surface becomes smutty.

            1. Use CoMat 01-515 Activator or CoMat 01-516 Etching and ActivatingSolution or CoMat 01-517 Activator and Etch Solution at room temperature.

            2. Use 8 to 15 volts reverse polarity (anodic).

         2. Rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

         3. Pre-wet, to remove water, and activate the surface with a new tool and activator solution until desmutting action occurs.

            NOTE

            Do NOT rinse after desmutting.

            1. Use CoMat 01-515 Activator or CoMat 01-516 Etching and ActivatingSolution or CoMat 01-517 Activator and Etch Solution at room temperature.

            2. Use 6 to 15 volts forward polarity (cathodic).

         4. Go to step Step.

      2. Type 300 Stainless Steel.

         Activate stainless steel (300 series) as follows:

         1. Pre-wet and etch the surface with activator solution until an even gray etched surface appears.

            1. Use CoMat 01-516 Etching and ActivatingSolution or CoMat 01-517 Activator and Etch Solution or CoMat 01-518 Activator (Acid).

            2. Solution is to be at room temperature.

            3. Use 6 to 15 volts reverse polarity (anodic).

         2. Clean Water Rinse.

            1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

         3. Pre-wet, to remove water, and activate the surface with a new tool and activator solution. There must be no change in appearance.

            1. Use CoMat 01-516 Etching and ActivatingSolution or CoMat 01-517 Activator and Etch Solution or CoMat 01-519 Activator (Neutral).

            2. Solution is to be at room temperature.

            3. Use 8 to 20 volts forward polarity (cathodic).

         4. If necessary, activate by the manufacturer's instructions.

            NOTE

            Do NOT rinse.

            1. Use 6 to 10 volts forward polarity (cathodic).

         5. Go to step Step.

      3. Type 400 Stainless Steel.

         Activate stainless steel (400 series) as follows:

         1. If necessary, pre-wet and etch the surface with activator solution until an even light-gray, etched surface appears on low carbon materials and an even light-to-heavy black smut develops on high carbon materials.

            1. Use CoMat 01-516 Etching and ActivatingSolution or CoMat 01-517 Activator and Etch Solution or CoMat 01-518 Activator (Acid).

            2. Solution is to be at room temperature.

            3. Use 6 to 15 volts reverse polarity (anodic).

         2. Clean Water Rinse.

            1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

         3. Pre-wet, to remove water, with activator solution by the supplier's instructions until the removal of the black smut occurs.

            1. Use CoMat 01-519 Activator (Neutral) or CoMat 01-520 Etching and DesmuttingSolution or CoMat 01-521 Activator and Etch Solution at room temperature.

            2. Use 14 to 20 volts reverse polarity (anodic).

         4. Clean Water Rinse.

            1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

         5. Pre-wet to remove water, and activate the surface with activator solution. There must be no change in appearance. Follow the supplier's instructions.

            NOTE

            Do NOT rinse.

            1. Use CoMat 01-515 Activator or CoMat 01-516 Etching and ActivatingSolution or CoMat 01-517 Activator and Etch Solution at room temperature.

            2. Use 6 to 20 volts forward polarity (cathodic).

         6. Go to step Step.

      4. Wrought Alloy Steels.

         Activate wrought alloy steels as follows:

         1. Pre-wet and etch surface with activator solution until an even light gray-to-black etched surface appears as specified in the supplier's instructions. There must be no change in appearance.

            1. Use CoMat 01-518 Activator (Acid) or CoMat 01-522 Etching Solution #2 or CoMat 01-523 Activator and Etch at room temperature.

            2. Use 6 to 15 volts reverse polarity (anodic).

         2. Clean Water Rinse.

            1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

         3. Pre-wet, to remove water, and desmut the surface with activator solution as specified in the supplier's instructions until an even light-gray surface appears.

            1. Use CoMat 01-519 Activator (Neutral) or CoMat 01-520 Etching and DesmuttingSolution or CoMat 01-521 Activator and Etch Solution at room temperature.

            2. Use 15 to 20 volts reverse polarity (anodic).

         4. Clean Water Rinse.

            1. Rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

         5. Go to step Step.

9. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-010 Plating

   1. Plate parts as follows:

      1. Nickel strike the area to be plated, if necessary, with nickel strike brush plating solution until an even nickel color surface appears.

         1. Use CoMat 01-524 Nickel Solution (Acid) or CoMat 01-525 DELETED or CoMat 01-526 Nickel Strike Brush Plating Solution.

         2. Follow the solution or equipment manufacturer's instructions for the solution temperature, plating amperage, and voltage.

      2. Clean Water Rinse.

         1. If necessary, rinse in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

      3. Nickel plate the repair area with a nickel sulfamate solution. Follow the supplier's instructions for voltage and ampere hours specified to get the desired nickel thickness.

         1. Use CoMat 01-527 Nickel Sulfamate Brush Plating Solution or CoMat 01-528 DELETED or CoMat 01-529 Nickel Sulfamate Brush Plating Solution.

         2. Follow the solution or equipment manufacturer's instructions for the solution temperature, plating amperage, and voltage.

   2. Clean Water Rinse.

      1. Rinse parts in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

   3. Hot Water Rinse.

      1. Rinse parts in clean, hot water for 30 seconds. The water temperature must be 140 deg F minimum (60 deg C minimum).

   4. Air Dry.

      1. Remove water by air blowing for one minute. Clean, dry, oil-free factory supply air is satifactory.

   5. Remove all masking.

   6. Clean Water Rinse.

      1. Rinse parts in clean, room temperature water for 30 seconds.

   7. Hot Water Flush.

      1. Flush parts in clean, hot water for 30 seconds. The water temperature must be 140 deg F minimum (60 deg C minimum).

   8. Air Dry.

      1. Remove water by air blowing for one minute. Clean, dry, oil-free factory supply air is satisfactory.

   9. Examine the Nickel Plate.

   10. Preserve in a corrosion preventative, as necessary. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-38-37-300-503.

10. SUBTASK 70-33-28-300-011 De-embrittlement

    
    CAUTION
    BEFORE YOU START THE DE-EMBRITTLEMENT HEAT TREATMENT, MAKE SURE THE HARDNESS OR METALLURGICAL CONDITION OF THE PARTS IS CORRECT. THE WRONG HEAT TREATMENT CAN DAMAGE THE PARTS.

    1. Degrease, if necessary. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-11-03-300-503.

    2. De-Embrittlement.

       1. For parts cold-worked after heat treatment or parts of Rockwell C25 or higher, bake at 350 to 400 deg F (177 to 204 deg C) for 180 minutes (3 hours).

       2. For parts for which a de-embrittlement temperature of 375 deg F (191 deg C) or more is harmful, bake at 250 to 300 deg F (121 to 149 deg C) for 300 minutes (5 hours).

    3. Preserve in a corrosion preventative, as necessary. Refer to the SPM TASK 70-38-37-300-503.