PRC-5007 Rev.

Process Specification for Electroless

Nickel Plating

Engineering Directorate

Structural Engineering Division

May 2020

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

Process Specification for Electroless Nickel

Plating

Prepared by: Signature on File 05/26/2020

John Figert Date
Materials and Processes Branch/ES4

Reviewed by: Signature on File 05/26/2020

Daniel Peterson Date
Materials and Processes Branch/ES4

Reviewed by: Signature on File 05/26/2020

Sarah Luna Date
Materials and Processes Branch/ES4

Approved by: Signature on File 05/27/2020

Brian Mayeaux Date
Materials and Processes Branch/ES4

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

REVISIONS
VERSION CHANGES DATE
-- Original version 5/14/1996
A Reviewed and update for accuracy; Author changed 7/21/1999
B General changes due to reorganization (changed EM to 12/14/2005
ES). Updated references in 6.0 and updated section
3.0. Removed reference standard SAE AMS 2405B.
Updated SAE AMS 2404 to revision E.

C Minor format changes 3/26/2010

D Updated SAE AMS 2404E to Revision F 7/12/2012
E Re-formatted. Author changed, reviewer added, 5/15/2020
approver changed. Major Rewrite of the entire
document. Updated and added the drawing references.
Added information on thickness callouts and classes.
Added information on hydrogen embrittlement. Added
information on phosphorus content. Added references.
Added material requirements. Added process
qualification and process information. Added verification
requirements for hydrogen bakeouts. Added visual
inspection requirements. Added definitions.

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

1.0 SCOPE
This process specification establishes additional requirements to AMS 2404J for
electroless nickel plating in the manufacture of JSC flight hardware.

2.0 APPLICABILITY

This process specification applies to electroless nickel plating for use on steels,
stainless steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, nickel and nickel alloys and cobalt
alloys. This PRC does not cover electroless nickel plating for use on titanium alloys and
beryllium alloys.

3.0 USAGE

This process specification and thickness (see Table 1) shall be called out on the
engineering drawing by using a drawing note. In addition, the AMS 2404J class shall
be called out in the drawing note.
An example for an alloy steel:

ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATE TO A THICKNESS OF 0.0015-

0.0017 INCH PER NASA/JSC PRC-5007, CLASS 1.

An example for a 6061-T6 or 7075-T73 aluminum alloy:

ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATE TO A THICKNESS OF 0.0010-

0.0012 INCH PER NASA/JSC PRC-5007, CLASS 4.

Table 1: Thickness Requirements for Electroless Nickel Plate

Alloys Minimum Maximum

Thickness Thickness*
Ferrous (Steels) 0.0015 Inches 0.0030 Inches
Aluminum 0.0010 Inches 0.0030 Inches
Copper-based
Nickel-based 0.0005 Inches 0.0030 Inches
Cobalt-based
*Pitting and roughness are a process control problem with deposits greater 0.0030 inches.

If there are critical locations on thickness, the drawing needs to specify them.

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

Plating covered by this specification is classified as follows:

• Class 1: Except for hydrogen embrittlement relief, no post plating thermal
treatment.
• Class 2: Thermal treatment at 450 °F (232 °C) or above to harden the deposit.
• Class 3: Thermal treatment at 375 °F (191 °C) to improve adhesion for
nonheat-treatable aluminum alloys.
• Class 4: Thermal treatment at 250 °F (121 °C) to improve adhesion for heat-
treatable aluminum alloys.

If the base material is a high strength ferrous alloy or case hardened and has a
Hardness/Temper as defined in Table 2, a hydrogen bakeout shall be required within
four hours after the completion of the plating operation.

Table 2: Steels That Require a Hydrogen Bakeout after Electroless Nickel Plate

Alloys Type Hardness / Ultimate Tensile

Temper Strength
Carbon Steel, Fasteners ≥ 36 HRC ≥ 160 ksi
Low Alloy Steel,
& Martensitic
Stainless
Steels**
Carbon Steel, All Parts Other ≥ 40 HRC ≥ 180 ksi
Low Alloy Steel, Than Fasteners
& Martensitic
Stainless
Steels**
High Strength All Parts See Tempers ≥ 150 ksi
Precipitation Listed in Table 1
Hardening Located in AMS
Stainless Steels*** 2759/9
Case-hardened All Parts See Table 2 ≥ 255 ksi in the
Steel Parts*** Located in AMS Case
2759/9
Music Wire, All Parts See Table 2 ≥ 255 ksi
52100, 440C, or Located in AMS
Any Other Alloy 2759/9
Tempered Below
375 °F***

**Require a post-plating hydrogen baking procedure of 375 oF for 23 hours.

*** Require a post-plating hydrogen baking procedure listed in AMS 2759/9.

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

An example for an alloy steel with a hardness greater than 40 HRC:

A HYDROGEN BAKEOUT SHALL BE PERFORMED AT 375 F FOR 23 HOURS

WITHIN 4 HOURS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE PLATING OPERATION.

The medium phosphorous coatings (5 - 9 % P) are most widely used to meet the
general-purpose requirements of wear and corrosion resistance. If a phosphorus
content outside of this range is desired, must be specified on the drawing.

A low phosphorous coating 1 - 3% P is used for solderability. An example of a low

phosphorus drawing callout is as follows:

AN ELECTROLESS NICKEL WITH A PHOSPHORUS CONTENT OF 1-3 %

IS REQUIRED FOR SOLDERABILITY.

A higher phosphorous coating in the range of 9 - 13% P is increased corrosion

resistance.

3.1 WORK INSTRUCTIONS

Work instructions shall be generated for implementing this process specification. The
work instructions shall contain sufficient detail to ensure that the manufacturing
process produces consistent, repeatable products that comply with this specification.
For work performed at JSC facilities, these work procedures consist of Detailed
Process Instructions (DPI's). For contracted work, the contractor shall be responsible
for preparing and maintaining, and certifying written work procedures that meet the
requirements of this specification.

4.0 REFERENCES

SAE AMS 2404J Electroless Nickel Plating

SOP-007.1 Preparation and Revision of Process Specifications

JPR 8500.4 Engineering Drawing System Requirements

SAE AMS 2759/9 Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief (Baking) of Steel Parts

ASTM B733 Autocatalytic (Electroless) Nickel-Phosphorus Coatings on

Metal

ASTM B571 Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings ASTM

E384 Standard Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of

Materials

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

ASTM B117 Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus

MFSA Quality Metal Finishing Guide on Electroless Nickel Plating, 1988.

5.0 MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS

The materials used shall meet the requirements of SAE AMS 2404J.
Smoothness and integrity of the original substrate surface are critical factors in final
results of the electroplated surface. Typically, the smoother the original surface, the
better the electroless nickel coating. Since surface finish can become rougher with
thicker coating layers, post-machining (pre-coating) surface finish requirements need
to be adjusted to achieve the post-coating default drawing surface finish of 32 RMS.
In addition, poor surface integrity that might entrap fluids (EDM oxide layer, porous
casting surfaces, as-made additive manufactured parts, etc.) or very poorly machined
surfaces (rough & work-hardened material) can make it difficult-to- impossible to
produce a high quality electroless nickel coating.

6.0 PROCESS REQUIREMENTS

Periodic chemical analysis shall be performed to insure:

1. Proper overall bath chemistry

2. Proper pH of the bath
3. Low levels of organic contamination
4. Low levels of metallic contamination

The JSC DPI or vendor’s written procedure shall include:

• Monitoring of Proper bath temperature and uniformity and must be

periodically checked and maintained.

• Tanks used for cleaning, pickling (or other activation methods) and rinsing
are critical for proper surface preparation for plating. These tanks shall be
controlled and maintained for proper chemistry, pH and low contamination
levels using documented procedures.

• Abrasive blasting media to be removed prior to plating.

• The plating shall be applied over a surface free from water breaks. The
cleaning procedure shall not produce pitting or intergranular attack of the
basis metal and shall preserve dimensional requirements.

Please note that fluoride levels often deplete in nitric/hydrofluoric pickling tanks over

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

time and the typical titration test for “total acids” analysis is not adequate to check the
nitric-to-hydrofluoric ratio. Periodic removal of the old pickling solution, cleaning out
the drained tank, and creating a new pickling tank solution is often the easiest
method to insure the proper nitric-to-hydrofluoric ratio.

7.0 PROCESS QUALIFICATION

Adhesion shall meet the requirements of ASTM B571 bend test 180 degrees with 4T
mandrel to insure good plating deposit adhesion. Plating adhesion can be a problem
with aluminum alloys.

Tribology and microhardness tests (ASTM E384) on test specimens may be required
to insure proper wear resistance. Design Engineers shall consult with the responsible
Materials and Processes Organization for severe wear applications where these tests
may be required.

Periodic corrosion test panel shall be periodically tested 48 hours to continuous salt
spray corrosion test conducted in accordance with ASTM B117.

8.0 PROCESS VERIFICATION

The process verification shall include visual examination, adhesion tests, and
thickness measurements, as specified by AMS 2404J.

The electroless nickel deposits shall be visually examined for the following general
problems:
1. Regions with missing plating
2. Poor coverage
3. Edge pullback
4. Frosted deposits or edges
5. Roughness in the deposits
6. Streaks in the deposits
7. Pitting
8. Dull or matte deposit
9. Step plating
10. Laminar plating
11. Dark or black deposits
12. Blistering

The thickness of the electroless nickel plating shall be measured in critical locations as
noted on the drawing. These measurements shall be performed and recorded by the
vendor.

If a hydrogen bakeout is performed, a quality record documenting the time and

temperature shall be supplied. A simple strip chart on the oven is adequate to

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 PRC-5007 Rev. E

document the process. A digital file of the bakeout run is also adequate. In
addition, a recent record certifying the accuracy of the oven temperature and
uniformity is needed.

A laboratory verification test (compared to known standards) of the ppm hydrogen

on a simulation coupon (same material and mill lot as the parts being processed)
can also be used to verify that hydrogen bakeout procedure was performed.

9.0 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

This electroless nickel plating process shall be performed by personnel qualified

to conduct the process through training or experience. If this process is
performed by an outside vendor, the development of an appropriate training
program shall be the responsibility of the vendor.

10.0 DEFINITIONS

Abrasive Blasting: A process for cleaning or finishing by means of an abrasive

directed at high velocity against a work piece.

Activation: Elimination of a passive condition on a surface, usually by chemical

removal of oxides.

Autocatalytic: Deposition of a metal coating by controlled chemical reduction,

catalyzed by the metal or alloy being deposited.

Blister: A dome-shaped imperfection or defect, resulting from loss of adhesion

between a metallic deposit and the substrate.

Electroless Plating: Deposition of a metallic coating by a controlled chemical

reduction that is catalyzed by the metal or alloy being deposited.

Pickling: The removal of oxides or other compounds from a metal surface by means
of a chemical solution.

Pit: A small depression or cavity produced in a metal surface during deposition or by

corrosion.

Substrate: The material, component, or workpiece to which the nickel plating is

deposited.

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Water Break: The appearance of a discontinuous film of water on a surface, signifying

non-uniform wetting and usually associated with a surface contamination.

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