AEROSPACE AMS 2460

MATERIAL Issued JUL 2007

SPECIFICATION
Plating, Chromium

RATIONALE

AMS 2460 is a new specification to cover chromium plating, intended to replace AMS-QQ-C-320 (QQ-C-320).

NOTICE

ORDERING INFORMATION: The following information shall be provided to the plating processor by the purchaser:

1) Purchase Orders shall specify not less than the following:

• AMS 2460
• Part number and quantity of pieces to be plated
• Class of plating. See 1.4.1.
• For Class 1 plating, type of surface luster. See 1.4.2 and 3.5.1.2.
• Plating thickness. See 3.4.1.2 and 3.4.1.3.
• Underplating, if different from 3.3.2
• Basis metal to be plated
• Tensile strength or hardness of the basis metal
• Pre-plate stress relief (time and temperature) if different from 3.2.1, or instructions that pre-plate stress relief has
already been performed prior to submitting parts to the plating processor, or statement that pre-plate stress relief
is not required
• Plating coverage; special features, geometry or processing present on parts that requires special attention by the
plating processor
• Hydrogen embrittlement relief to be performed by the plating processor (parameters or requirements document), if

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
different from 3.3.4
• Peening requirements, if peening is required to be performed by the plating processor. See 3.1 and 8.4.1.
• If tests for hardness, porosity, or hydrogen embrittlement are required for lot acceptance. See 4.2.1.
• If adhesion is to be evaluated by grinding. See 3.4.2.1. and responsibility (plating processor or part fabricator) to
perform this evaluation.

2) Parts manufacturing operations such as heat treating, forming, joining, and media finishing can affect the condition of
the substrate for plating, or if performed after plating, could adversely affect the plated part. The sequencing of these
types of operations should be specified by the cognizant engineering organization or purchaser and is not controlled by
this specification, except as noted herein. Requirements for peening (3.1.1), basis metal quality (3.1.2), and preplating
stress relief (3.2.1) require special coordination with the plating processor.

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.
Copyright © 2007 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada)
Tel: 724-776-4970 (outside USA)
Fax: 724-776-0790
Copyright SAE International Email: [email protected]
SAE by
Provided WEB ADDRESS:
IHS under license with SAE http://www.sae.org
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 SAE AMS 2460 -2-

1. SCOPE
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

1.1 Purpose

This specification covers the requirements for electrodeposited chromium plating.

1.2 Application

This plating has been used typically as a decorative finish, to improve corrosion resistance, to increase wear resistance, to
extend tool and die life, to maintain accuracy of gauges, and to recondition worn or undersized parts, but usage is not
limited to such applications. While this document is primarily intended to address electrodeposition on steels, the process
has been performed on aluminum, heat resistant alloys, high nickel alloys, super alloys, and other metals. The
requirements of this specification are equivalent to AMS-QQ-320 but generally more stringent than AMS 2406. Thin Dense
Chrome plating should be specified by reference to AMS 2438.

1.2.1 Restriction

Application of chromium plating to steel parts having a hardness of 48 HRC (ultimate tensile strength of 238 ksi [1641
MPa]) or higher shall not be performed unless authorized by the design documentation of the cognizant engineering
organization. See 4.4.1.2 and 8.4.2. Application of chromium plating for repair of steel parts having a hardness of 48
HRC(ultimate tensile strength of 238 ksi (1641 Mpa) or higher requires a special design evaluation and shall not be
performed unless specific approval has been received from the cognizant engineering organization

1.3 Safety-Hazardous Materials

While the materials, methods, applications and processes described or referenced in this specification may involve the use
of hazardous materials, this specification does not address the hazards which may be involved in such use. It is the
responsibility of the user to ensure familiarity with the safe and proper use of any hazardous materials, to take
precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of all personnel involved.

1.4 Classification

1.4.1 Classes

Electrodeposited chromium plating shall be one of the following classes.

Class 1 - Corrosion protective plating. See 8.4.3.

Class 2 - Engineering plating. See 8.4.4.

1.4.2 Appearance

Class 1 plating shall have one of the following types of lusters, as specified.

Type I - Bright finish

Type II - Satin finish.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

The issue of the following documents in effect on the date of the purchase order forms a part of this specification to the
extent specified herein. The supplier may work to a subsequent revision of a document unless a specific document issue
is specified. The supplier may also work to a prior revision of a document when directed by the cognizant engineering
authority. When the referenced document has been cancelled and no superseding document has been specified, the last
published issue of that document shall apply.

Copyright SAE International

Provided by IHS under license with SAE
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 SAE AMS 2460 -3-

2.1 SAE Publications

Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside
USA and Canada) or 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.

AMS 2403 Nickel Plating, General Purpose

AMS 2406 Plating, Chromium, Hard Deposit
AMS 2438 Plating, Chromium, Thin, Hard, Dense Deposit
AMS 2759/9 Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief (Baking) of Steel Parts
AMS 2759/11 Stress Relief of Steel Parts
AMS 2750 Pyrometry
AMS-QQ-C-320 Chromium Plating, Electrodeposited
AMS-QQ-N-290 Nickel Plating (Electrodeposited)

2.2 ASTM Publications

Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
Tel: 610-832-9585, www.astm.org.

ASTM B 253 Standard Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Alloys for Electroplating
ASTM B 487 Measurement of Metal and Oxide Coating Thickness by Microscopic Examination of a Cross
Section
ASTM B 499 Measurement of Coating Thick nesses by the magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on
Magnetic Base Metals
ASTM B 504 Measuring the Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
ASTM B 556 Thin Chromium Coatings by the Spot Test, Guideline for Measurement of
ASTM B 567 Method for Measurement of Coating Thickness by Beta Backscatter Method
ASTM B 568 Measurement of Coating Thickness by X-Ray Spectrometry
ASTM B 571 Qualitative Adhesion of Metallic Coatings
ASTM B 748 Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by Measurement of Cross Section with a
Scanning Electron Microscope
ASTM B 764 Simultaneous Thickness and Electrochemical Potential Determination of Individual Layers on the
Multilayer Nickel Deposit (STEP Test)
ASTM E 384 Test Method for Microhardness of Materials
ASTM F 519 Mechanical Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing of Plating Processes and Service Environments

2.3 Aerospace Industries Association Publications

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Available from Aerospace Industries Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928,
Tel: 703-358-1000, www.aia-aerospace.org.

NASM1312-12 Fastener Test Methods, Thickness of Metallic Coatings

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The requirements for peening (3.1.1) and basis metal quality (3.1.2) are established by the cognizant engineering
organization and, unless otherwise specified, are the responsibility of the part fabricator.

3.1.1 Peening

When specified, parts shall be peened prior to plating. Unless otherwise specified, such peening shall be accomplished on
all surfaces for which the plating is required and on all immediately adjacent surfaces that contain notches, fillets or other
abrupt changes of section size. See 8.4.1. Peening shall be performed by or on behalf of the part fabricator, unless
specifically delegated to the plating processor.

Copyright SAE International

Provided by IHS under license with SAE
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale