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ASM Fastener Finishes & Plating Recommendations

Review the list of the finishes and plating options Accurate Screw Machine has available along with recommendations based on material properties.

Code Finish Description
1 No finish NO FINISH
2 Anodized (Dk. Gray) ANODIZE-MIL-A-8625F, Type II – Class 2 – (Sulphuric) Hot Water Seal. (Dk. Gray)
3 Anodized (Clear) ANODIZE-MIL-A 8625F, Type II – Class I – (Sulphuric) Hot water Seal. (Clear)
3a Anodized (Blue) ANODIZE-MIL-A-8625F, Type II – Class 2 – (Sulphuric) Hot Water Seal. (Blue)
3b Anodized (Red) ANODIZE-MIL-A-8625F, Type II – Class 2 – (Sulphuric) Hot water seal (Red)
4 Anodized (Yellow Green) ANODIZE-MIL-A-8625F, Type II – Class 2 – (Sulphuric) Dichromate Seal (Yellow Green)
4a Anodized (Dichromate) ANODIZE-MIL-A-8625F- Type II (Sulphuric) Dichromate Seal (Red)
4b Anodized (Dyed Gold) ANODIZE – MIL-A-8625F-Type II Class 2 (Dyed Gold)
5 Anodized (Black) ANODIZE-MIL-A-8625F, Type II – Class 2 Hot water Seal (Black)
6 Cadmium Plate Clear CADMIUM PLATE QQ-P-416-F-Type I-Class 2-Clear Chromate
6a Cadmium Plate Color CADMIUM PLATE, QQ-P-416-F-Type II- Class 2 Color Chromate Finish”
7 Cadmium Commercial Plate, CADMIUM PLATE COMMERCIAL – Type I, Class 3
8 Cadmium Color Chromate Plate CADMIUM PLATE QQ-P-416-F-Type II – Class 3 – Color Chromate Finish
9 Nickel Plate, Grade G NICKEL PLATE – QQN-290-A-Class 1, Grade G, (thickness – .0002- SB) (single layer coating fully bright)
9a Nickel Plate, Grade F NICKEL PLATE – QQN290-A Class 1, Grade F (Thickness -.0004-SB) (single layer coating fully bright)
10 Silver Plate SILVER PLATE – QQ-S-365-D, Type II – Grade B (Thickness -.0003)
11 Black oxide, Class 4 BLACK OXIDE – MIL-C-13924-C-AMEND #1 Class 4. For 300 series corrosion resistance steel alloys only.
11a Black oxide, Class 1 BLACK OXIDE – MIL-C-13924-C-AMEND #1 – Class 1 (for plain carbon and low alloy steels)
12 Passivate, Type I PASSIVATE – MIL-F-14072-C (ER) AMEND #1 – Type I. (Finish #E300 – Passivate per ASTM-A-380-96)
12a Passivate, Type II PASSIVATE QQ-P-35C, Type II.”
15 Alodine 1200 ALODINE 1200
16 Gold Flash GOLD FLASH, (Thickness -.00003 to .00005.)
17 Gold Flash over Nickel GOLD FLASH over Nickel Flash, (Thickness – .00003 to .00005)
18 Gold Plate GOLD PLATE MIL-G-45204-C-AMEND #1, Type 11 – Grade C – Class-2 (Thickness .0001 0 minimum)
19 Tin Plate II TIN PLATE (Hot dipped) MIL-T-10727-C, Type II
20 Tin Plate II TIN PLATE (Electro Deposit) MIL-T-10727-C, Type I
20a Tin Plate I (solderable) TIN PLATE (Electro Deposit) MIL-T-10727-C, Type I plus solderability ASTM B 545-92, Class-C”
21 Bright Dip Brass BRIGHT DIP (Brass Finish)
22 IRIDITE (Clear) IRIDITE – MIL-C-5541-E-Class 3 (clear)
1a IRIDITE (Gold) IRIDITE – MIL-C-5541-E-Class la (Gold)
24 Gold Flash over Silver GOLD FLASH 0.000015 thick over Silver-Plate (0.0003 thickness)
26 Chomium Bright CHROMIUM PLATING – QQ-C-320B (Bright finish) Class 1, Type I
27 Chromium Satin CHROMIUM PLATING – QQ-C-320B (Satin Finish) Class 1, Type II
28 Chromium Engineering CHROMIUM PLATING QQ-C-320-B (Engineering), Class 2
29 Clear Lacquer CLEAR LACQUER
30 Water Dip Lacquer WATER DIP LACQUER
31 Zinc Plate Type I ZINC PLATE – ASTM B633/85 Type I – Class FE/ZN5-SC-1 (thickness .00025)
31a Zinc Plate Type II ZINC PLATE – Colored Chromate – ASTM B633/85 Type II – FE/ZN5- SC-1 (thickness -.00025)
31b Zinc Plate Clear
31d Zinc Plate Phosphate ZINC PLATE – (Phosphate Coat) -ASTM B633/85 Type V Class FE/ZN5-SC-1 (thickness .00025)
31e Zinc Plate Olive ZINC PLATE – per QQ-Z-325 Type II, olive drab.
32 Solder Plate .0001 to -.0003 Thick. Solder per QQS-571-F, SN 60 PG 40 over Nickel Plate thickness 0.0001-0.0005. In AC/W MILP-81728A plus solderability
34 Black Phosphate
35 Black Zinc
37 Black Finish Used on steel parts – strictly cosmetic
38 Electro-Tin Plate Over COPPER FLASH – MIL T – 10727C Type I
39 Lubricant, Type I Solid Film – Heat cured – corrosion inhibiting – MIL-L-460101-AMEND #2, Type I, cure temperature of 150 ±3 º C.
39a Lubricant, Type II Solid Film – Heat cured – corrosion inhibiting – MIL-L-460101B-AMEND #2, Type II, cure temperature of 204 ±3 º C.
40 Electro Polish No military specification assigned – An electric process used to remove the outer layer of material to brighten primarily steel-stainless steel and brass alloys.

RECOMMENDED FINISHES

ALUMINUM

Anodized Finishes – (2,3,3a,3b,4, and 4a): Anodized finishes are intended to provide corrosion resistance, improve paint adhesion and abrasion resistance, for aluminum and aluminum alloy parts. Good dielectric properties.

Anodized (Hard) Finishes – (5): Color will vary from light tan to black depending on alloy and thickness. Provides very hard ceramic-type coating. Good dielectric properties. Corrosion resistance is good.

Caution: (-5) Anodized finishes are recommended on aluminum alloys of 1/2″ in diameter or greater due to the higher current required to apply said coating.

Silver Plated Finish (-10): Use on aluminum to enhance conductivity.

Alodine – (15): Provides protection and corrosion resistance. For aluminum and aluminum alloys.

Iridite – (22): Primarily used for protection against corrosion where lower electrical resistance is required. Will improve adhesion of paint systems on aluminum and aluminum alloys.

Lubricant – Solid Film – Heat Cured – Corrosion inhibiting (39, 39a): Reduces wear and prevents galling when used on aluminum and aluminum alloys.

BRASS

Nickel-Plated finishes – 9,9a: Nickel finish is hard, bright – has an attractive look – and is corrosive resistant, Copper plated – Copper – Copper alloys – Zinc, Zinc based alloys, and brass parts. Steel parts.

Bright Dip – (21): Used to brighten brass material.

Tin Plate – (19,20,20a,38): Depending on the thickness/application specified by the customer. Tinplate can be utilized for articles to be soldered; to prevent galling; to prevent corrosion or to prevent the formation of a case during nitriding.

Clear Lacquer – (29): Provides protective tarnish and corrosion resistance, used mostly on brass.

Water Dip Lacquer – (30): Provides protective tarnish and corrosion resistance, used mostly on brass.

Zinc Plate (31,31a,31b,31d,31e): Electrodeposited zinc coatings applied to brass articles provides protection from corrosion.

Black Zinc – (35): Provides corrosion resistance, decorative, used on brass.

Black Satin Finish – (37): This is a decorative finish, used on brass.

COPPER

Nickel-Plated finishes – (9, 9a): Nickel finish is hard, bright, – has an attractive look – and is corrosive resistant. copper-plated – Copper – Copper Alloys.

Silver Plate Finish – (10): Semi-bright in appearance. Good corrosion resistance depending on the base metal. Will tarnish easily. Solderability is excellent but decreases with age. For articles such as terminals that are to be soldered. Also used on copper to enhance electrical Conductivity.

Lubricant- Solid Film – Heat Cured – Corrosion inhibiting (39, 39a): Reduces wear and prevents galling.

STAINLESS STEEL

Passivate – (12,12a): A process designed to remove foreign metals from the surface of stainless steel and corrosion-resistant steels and to prevent the natural tendency of the surface to oxidize.

Zinc Plate – (31,31a,31b,31d,31e): Electrodeposited zinc coatings applied to brass, steel, and stainless steel articles provides protection from corrosion. Service lift of zinc coating is a function of its thickness and the type of environment to which it is exposed. A bright or dull finish is acceptable.

Black Zinc – (35): Provides corrosion resistance, decorative, used on stainless steel.

Black Satin Finish – (37): This is a decorative finish, used on stainless steel.

Lubricant – Solid Film – Heat cured – Corrosion inhibiting (39, 39a): Reduces wear and prevents galling when used on stainless steel.

Black oxide – (11, 11a): For 300 series corrosion resistance – steel only.

STEEL

Cadmium – 6,6a,7,8: Bright silvery supplementary treatments for Type II can be golden, iridescent. Corrosion resistance is very good.

Black Oxide – (11, lla): Black oxide coatings; without supplementary preservative treatment are used when a black surface is required. Limited corrosion protection under mildly corrosive conditions, For decorative purposes or decrease in light reflection.

Chromium Platings – (26): Provides a bright decorative finish; corrosion protection; wear resistance and pleasing appearance.

(27): Known as industrial or hard chromium; provides wear and abrasion resistance and incidental corrosion protection of parts as the specified thickness of the plating may afford.

Zinc Plate – (31,31a,31b,31d,31e): Electrodeposited zinc coatings applied to iron, steel, stainless steel, and brass articles provides protection from corrosion. The service life of zinc coating is a function of its thickness and the type of environment to which it is exposed. A bright or dull finish is acceptable.

Black Zinc – (35): Provides corrosion resistance, decorative, used on steel alloys.

Solder Plate – (32): Provides corrosion protection and solderability.

Black Phosphate – (34): Provides corrosion resistance; also acts as a lubricant. (28): Engineering chromium is usually applied directly to base metal and is finished by grinding to the specific dimensions.

Black Finish – (37): This is a decorative finish, used on steel alloys.

Lubricant – Solid Film – Heat Cured – Corrosion inhibiting (39, 39a): Reduces wear and prevents galling when used in steel alloys.

STEEL, ALLOY

Cadmium – 6,6a,7,8: Bright silvery supplementary treatments for type II can be golden, iridescent. Corrosion resistance is very good

Nickel Plate Finishes – 9,9a: Nickel Finish is hard, bright – has an attractive look – and is corrosive resistant. Copper plated – Copper – Copper alloys – Zinc, Zinc based alloys, and brass parts. Steel parts.

Black Oxide – (11, I1a): Black oxide coatings; with or without supplementary preservative treatment, are used when a black surface is required, Limited corrosion protection under mildly corrosive conditions, for decorative purposes or decrease in light reflection.

Zinc Plate – (31,31a,31b,31d): Electrodeposited zinc coatings applied to iron or stainless steel, and brass articles provide protection from corrosion. The service life of zinc coating is a function of its thickness and the type of environment to which it is exposed. A bright or dull finish is acceptable.

Black Phosphate – (34): Provides corrosion resistance; also acts as a lubricant. (28): Engineering chromium is usually applied directly to base metal and is finished by grinding to the specified dimensions.

Solder Plate – (32): Provides corrosion protection and solderability.

Black Chrome Satin – (33): Decorative.

Ask an Expert

Have questions about specific finishes and plating options or recommendations? Contact an MW expert for more details.