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METRIC
MIL-STD-1501F (USAF)
6 June 2011
SUPERSEDES
MIL-STD-1501E
01 March 2007

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
STANDARD PRACTICE

CHROMIUM PLATING, LOW EMBRITTLEMENT,

ELECTRODEPOSITION

AMSC N/A AREA MFFP

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release;

distribution is unlimited.
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MIL-STD-1501F

FOREWORD

1. This military standard is approved for use by 309 MXSG/MXRL, Department of the
Air Force and is available for use by all departments and agencies of the Department of
Defense.

2. This standard provides guidance for the Air Force repair process, acquisition, and
manufacture of parts and/or spare parts on the landing gear of all military aircraft.

3. Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc. and

any data that may improve this document should be sent to: 309 MXSG/MXRL, Hill AFB,
UT 84056-2609 or e-mailed to: 309MXSUG/[email protected]. Since contact information
can change, verification of currency of this address information through ASSIST Online
database at https://assist.daps.dla.mil.

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MIL-STD-1501F

CONTENT
PARAGRAPHS PAGE
FOREWORD ii
1. SCOPE 1
1.1 Scope 1
1.2 Documentation 1
1.3 Classification 1
1.3.1 Classes 1
1.3.2 Type 1

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS 1
2.1 Government documents 1
2.1.1 Specifications, standards, handbooks, & commercial item descriptions 1
2.2 Other Government documents 2
2.3 Non-Government documents 2
2.4 Order of precedence 3

3. DEFINITIONS 3
3.1 High strength steel 3
3.2 Match batch 3

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 3
4.1 General 3
4.2 Materials and equipment 3
4.2.1 Materials 3
4.2.2 Equipment 3
4.3 Specification SAE-AMS-QQ-C320 4
4.4 Finish 4
4.5 Shot peening 4
4.6 Embrittlement 4
4.7 Reprocessing 4
4.8 Plating thickness 5
4.9 Class 1 5
4.10 Class 2 5
4.11 Class 3 5
4.12 Type I plating 5
4.13 Type II plating 5

5, DETAILED REQUIREMENTS 5
5.1 Individual tasks, requirements, or test methods 5
5.1.1 Prior to plating 5
5.1.2 Baking 5
5.1.3 Plating sequence 6
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CONTENTS

PARAGRAPHS PAGE

5.1.4 Storage of parts 6

5.1.5 Handling of parts 6
5.1.6 Masking 6
5.1.7 Racking 6
5.2 Plating procedures 6
5.2.1 Step No.1 6
5.2.2 Step No. 2 6
5.2.3 Step No. 3 6
5.2.3.1 Alternate reverse etch solutions 7
5.2.4 Step No. 4 8
5.2.5 Step No. 5 8
5.2.6 Step No. 6 8
5.2.7 Step No. 7 8
5.3 Inspection 8
5.3.1 Penetrant inspection 9
5.3.2 Magnetic particle inspection 9
5.4 Process controls 9
5.5 Qualification embrittlement test 9
5.6 Process control embrittlement acceptance test 9
5.7 Safety and health 10

6. NOTES 10
6.1 Intended use 10
6.2 Plating options 10
6.3 Subject term (key word) listing 10
6.4 Changes notations 10

CONCLUDING MATERIALS 11

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MIL-STD-1501F

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope This standard covers the engineering requirements for electrodeposition
of hard chromium on high strength steel substrates and the properties of
deposit. Subsequent heat treating techniques needed to insure low hydrogen
embrittlement of steel is described.

1.2 Documentation Chromium plated to this standard will meet the performance
requirements of SAE-AMS-2460, which supersedes SAE-AMS-QQ-C-320. This standard may
be used whenever SAE-AMS-QQ-C-320 is specified.

1.3 Classification

1.3.1 Classes. The following classes of chromium plating covered by this

standard:

a. Class 1 – Crack free (see para.4.9)

b. Class 2 – Limited cracking allowed (see para.4.10)

c. Class 3 – Moderate cracking allowed (see para.4.11)

NOTE: When not specified, Class 3 plating will be used.

1.3.2 Types. The following types of chrome plating covered by this standard:

a. Type I – Plated to specified dimensions (see para.4.12)

b. Type II – Processed to specified dimensions after plating (see

para.4.13)

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Government documents.

2.1.1. Specifications, standards, handbooks, and commercial item descriptions.

The following specifications, standards, handbooks, and commercial item descriptions
form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified
the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTIONS

A-A-55827 Chromium Trioxide, Technical

A-A-55828 Sulfuric Acid, Technical

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MIL-STD-1501F

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIFICATIONS

MIL-R-81841 Rotary Flap Peening of Metal Parts

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STANDARDS

MIL-STD-866 Grinding of Chrome Plated Steel and

Steel Parts Heat Treated to 180,000 PSI
or Over

MIL-STD-871 Electro-Chemical Stripping of Inorganic Finishes

(Inactive)

MIL-STD-1504 Abrasive Blast of Aircraft Components

(Inactive)

(Copies of these documents are available from the Standardization Document Order
Desk, 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4D, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094 or
https://assist.daps.dla.mil.)

2.2 Other Government documents. The following other Government

documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise
specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)

29 CFR 1910 Toxic and Hazardous Substances

(Copies of this document are available online at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html or

from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Printing Office, North Capitol & “H” Streets,
N.W., Washington D.C. 20402-0002.)

2.3 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this

standard to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the current revision
in effect on date of invitation for bids or request for proposal is applicable.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International

SAE-AMS2430 Shot Peening

SAE-AMS2644 Inspection Material, Penetrant

SAE-AMS-QQ-C320 Chromium Plating (Electrodeposited)

(Copies of this document are available online at www.sae.org or from SAE World
Headquarters, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001)

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MIL-STD-1501F

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

ASTM E1444 Magnetic Particle Testing

ASTM E1417 Standard Practice for Liquid Penetrate Examination

(Application for copies of these documents should be addressed to ASTM International,

100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or
http://www.astm.org.)

2.4 Order of precedence. Unless otherwise noted herein or in the contract, in the event of
a conflict between the text of this document and the references cited herein, the text of this
document takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable laws and
regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 High strength steel. For the purpose of this standard high strength steel is
defined as steel heat treated to 1.24 X 10° Pa (180,000 psi) and above.

3.2 Material batch. All items processed at one time through the plating bath.

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General. Chrome plating is applied for wear resistance, reconditioning

worn or undersize parts, and such incidental corrosion protection is desired, an
undercoat of nickel 0.025 to 0.050 millimeters (0.001 to 0.002 inches) thickness is
recommended.

4.2 Materials and equipment.

4.2.1 Materials.

a. Chromium Trioxide, Technical (A-A-55827)

b. Sulfuric Acid, Technical (A-A-55828)

c. Anodes

7% Tin-lead, wires, rod, or strip

7% Antimony-lead, wires, rod, or strip

4.2.2 Equipment.

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a. Power source. Either generated or rectified D.C. current may be used.

Ripple value shall not exceed 10 % (percent) as measured by dividing the Root Mean
Square of the A.C. voltage component by the D.C. voltage. This can best be measured
by using an RMS A.C. voltage meter and dividing this value by the D.C. voltage. These
measurements are to be taken across the anode and cathode bus at the tank.

b. Tanks. Tanks shall be resistant to the operating temperature and the

chemical environment.

c. Temperature control. Plating tanks to be operated at temperatures other

than room temperature shall be equipped with automatic temperature indicating and
regulating devices.

d. Instrumentation. An ammeter shall be placed in series with the chromium tank cathode.
The ammeter shall have sufficient shuts and switches to provide a full-scale reading equal to the
maximum capacity of the power source, and an accuracy of ± 5 percent of the current being
measured.

e. Blast equipment. Blast cabinets shall be located near the plating line. The
size of the cabinet shall be adequate to enclose the parts to be plated. Air lines shall be
suitably trapped and filtered to prevent in-process contamination of the parts to be
cleaned.

f. Bake oven. An oven capable of baking parts at 191 ± 14°C (375 ± 25°F)
shall be located near the plating line. The size of the oven shall be adequate to enclose
parts to be plated. The oven shall be equipped with temperature indicating, recording
and regulating devices.

4.3 Specification SAE-AMS-QQ-C-320. All parts shall be plated in accordance

with the requirements of SAE-AMS-QQ-C-320 and in conjunction with those specified in
this standard. If there is a conflict between the two documents; however, the
requirements of this document shall govern.

4.4 Finish. The plated part will have a finish that is continuous, homogenous, adherent,
and free from harmful defects.

4.5 Shot peening. All parts shall be shot peened in accordance with SAE-AMS2430 and
MIL-R-81841, unless otherwise specified.

4.6 Embrittlement. Qualification test specimens and process control test

specimens shall be subjected to a sustained load test at 75 percent of the ultimate
notched tensile strength. The specimens shall endure this sustained load for 200 hours
minimum without failing or cracking.

4.7 Reprocessing. Parts rejected for defective plating, requiring stripping and
re-plating, shall include all of the pre-plating steps of this standard. Parts shall be

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MIL-STD-1501F

stripped in accordance with MIL-STD-871.

4.8 Plating thickness. The plating thickness shall be as specified on the

engineering drawing or other applicable directives. Except when otherwise specified,
the minimum thickness shall be 0.05 millimeters (0.002 inches) and the maximum
thickness 0.2 millimeters (0.008 inches) on the finished part.

4.9 Class 1. Parts plated to Class 1 shall show no mud cracking pattern when
fluorescent penetrant inspected (see para.5.3.1).

4.10 Class 2. Parts plated to Class 2 are allowed to show some cracking
pattern when fluorescent penetrant inspected (see para.5.3.1). As a general rule cracks
exceeding 13 millimeters (1/2 inch) in length or individual areas of cracking exceeding 19
square centimeters (3 square inches) or 10 percent of plated area, whichever is smaller,
will be cause for rejection of the plated area.

4.11 Class 3. Parts plated to Class 3 are allowed to show a moderate amount
of cracking when fluorescent penetrant inspected (see para.5.3.1). To determine part
acceptability the part will be cleaned to remove the penetrant materials and the areas of
cracking inspected visually using an oblique light. If the cracking pattern can be
discerned, that will be cause for rejection of the plated area.

4.12 Type I plating. For Type I plating, the item shall be plated to the
dimension and surface finish specified on the drawing. The surface finish on the item
before plating shall be equal to or better than the required finish after plating. Type I
plating may be buffed or lapped after plating if dimensional tolerances and surface
conditions cannot be controlled in the plating operation.

4.13 Type II plating. For Type II plating a minimum of 0.05 millimeters (0.002
inch) more chrome than desired shall be deposited (per surface). The excess shall be
ground off to give the final dimension and surface finish desired. Steel parts heat treated
to 1.24 X 109 Pa (180,000 psi) and above shall be ground in accordance with MIL-STD-
866. All ground chrome plated surfaces shall be fluorescent penetrant inspected (see
5.3.1). Chrome plated surfaces showing indications of abusive grinding (spiral, barber
pole, circular, patch or linear crack patterns), spalling or blistering shall be cause for
rejection of the plated area.

5. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Individual tasks, requirements, or test methods.

5.1.1 Prior to plating. Except for finish grinding operations, all machining,
forming, welding and shot peening shall be completed prior to plating.

5.1.2 Baking. Parts shall be baked for stress relief before plating for four hours
minimum at 191 ± 14°C (375 ± 25°F). Shot peening shall be performed before plating

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MIL-STD-1501F

and after stress relieving.

5.1.3 Plating sequence. If chromium and cadmium are used in combination,

the chromium shall be deposited first. When chrome plating is to be followed by
cadmium plating, the 23 hours minimum bake period, required by para.5.2.7, can be
replaced by a four hours bake period at 191 ± 14°C (375 ± 25°F), provided the part is
baked for 23 hours minimum after completion of the cadmium plating.

5.1.4 Storage of parts. Storage of parts between stress relief and cleaning shall
be controlled to prevent contact with water or other corrosive materials. Parts shall be
stored to permit free circulation of air around the parts.

5.1.5 Handling of parts. After the parts have been cleaned, they shall be
handled in such a manner that will assure a minimum of contamination.

5.1.6 Masking. Sections or areas of a part that are not to be plated shall be
masked off. Plug and masking materials that do not contaminate the plating bath shall
be used. Masking shall be performed at the most convenient step prior to plating.

5.1.7 Racking. Sufficient contact area and pressure shall be provided to carry
the current without overheating. Racking should be performed at the most convenient
step prior to plating. When gang plating (two or more like parts) care should be taken to
assure a uniform division of current flow to each part by uniform tank spacing and
meticulous cleaning and shaping of racking contact surfaces or by providing isolated
controlled current paths to each individual part; while maintaining the amperage limits
specified (see paragraph 5.2.4).

5.2 Plating Procedure. The chromium plating procedure shall be as described

below:

5.2.1 Step No. 1. Parts shall be vapor degreased, solvent cleaned or alkaline
cleaned. Cathodic cleaning is not permitted.

WARNING
PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION DURING
DEGREASING OPERATIONS. AVOID SKIN
AND EYE CONTACT WITH SOLVENT SOLUTIONS.

5.2.2 Step No. 2. The preferred method of cleaning is by dry blasting using
80-320 grit aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), garnet per MIL-STD-1504, or
hand sanding. Other non-embrittling cleaning processes can be used with the approval
of the procuring activity. Elapsed time between completion of cleaning and Step No. 3
shall not exceed Four (4) hours.

5.2.3 Step No. 3. Anodic etch 15.5 to 46.5 amps/decimeter squared (1 to 3A

per square inch) for 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Etch in the following solution (preferred)

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MIL-STD-1501F

or in the plating bath, per this paragraph:

Chromic Acid: 225-300 gram/liter (30-40 ounce/gallon)

Temperature: 32-60°C (90-140°F).

CAUTION: Etching increases iron contamination in the plating bath; therefore, the use
of the above solution is recommended.

5.2.3.1 Alternate reverse etch solutions. A sulfuric acid or a sulfuric-hydrofluoric

acid mixture can be used as an alternate, reverse etch solution, to the
solution specified in paragraph 5.2.3. The conditions for the employment of either the
sulfuric acid or sulfuric-hydrofluoric acid mixtures are as follows:

a. Forty (40) percent sulfuric acid:

(1) Operating range – Concentrated (93%) sulfuric acid diluted to 35 to

45% by volume.

(2) Temperature – ambient.

(3) Current density – 31.0 to 62.0 amps/decimeter squared (2 to 4A per

square inch), anodic.

(4) Time – 30-120 seconds.

b. Sulfuric-hydrofluoric acid.

(1) Operating range – Concentrated (93%) sulfuric acid diluted to 20 to

30% by volume and concentrated (70%) hydrofluoric acid diluted to 2 to 7% by
volume. Ammonium bifluoride may be used at an equivalent total fluoride
concentration in place of hydrofluoric acid.

(2) Temperature – ambient.

(3) Current density – 31.0 to 62.0 amps/decimeter squared (2 to 4A per

square inch), anodic.

(4) Time – 60-90 seconds.

c. Twenty-five percent (25%) sulfuric acid.

(1) Operating range – Concentrated (93%) sulfuric acid diluted to 20 to

30% sulfuric acid by volume.

(2) Temperature – Ambient

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(3) Current density 31.0 to 62.0 amps/decimeter squared (2 to 4A per

square inch) anodic.

(4) Time – 30 – 120 seconds.

5.2.4 Step No. 4. Chromium plate at 15.5 to 77.5 amps/decimeters squared (1

to 5A per square inch) to the required thickness. When feasible, apply voltage so that
the current will flow upon immersion of parts. Chromium plate in the following solutions:

a. Chromic Acid 225-270 gram/liter (30-36 ounce/gallon)

b. Sulfuric Acid 2.25-2.7 gram/liter (0.30-0.36 ounce/gallon)

c. Trivalent Chrome 4 grams per liter (g/l) maximum

d. Iron 5 g/l maximum

e. Ratio Chromic Acid/Sulfuric Acid 80/1 to 120/1

f. Temperature 52 - 62°C (125 - 145°F)

g. It is general practice to start plating at a higher current (two to three

times the plating current) for a short time (approximately 0.5 to 1.0 minutes) and then
reducing to the desired plating current. This helps in providing the initial layer of
chromium and lessens the chance of leaving bare spots.

NOTE: Other plating solutions may be used when approved by the responsible
engineering organization provided the deposit meets the requirements of this standard.

WARNING
PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION WHEN USING
CHROMIC PLATING SOLUTIONS. WEAR PROTECTIVE RUBBER
GLOVES AND CHEMICAL GOOGLES TO PREVENT
SKIN AND EYE EXPOSURE.

5.2.5 Step No. 5. Rinse parts in cold water and inspect for defects and adequate
buildup. If undersize, return to plating tank and continue plating. If plating is adequate,
remove masking, racking, and clean as necessary.

5.2.6 Step No. 6. Rinse all parts in hot water and blow dry with compressed air.
Elapsed time between completion of plating and start of baking, Step No. 7, shall not
exceed four hours.

5.2.7 Step No. 7. Bake all parts heat treated to 1.24 X 109 Pa (180,000 psi) and
above for twenty three hours minimum, at 191 ± 14°C (375 ± 25°F) (See paragraph
5.1.3).

5.3 Inspection. Inspection shall be in accordance with the inspection and tests

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in AMS-QQ-C-320 and this standard.

5.3.1 Penetrant inspection. The parts shall be cleaned and inspected for the
requirements of paragraphs 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 and 4.13 in accordance with ASTM-E1417,
Type I, Method A, B, and C using materials per SAE-AMS-2644 Group VI. Penetrant
penetration time will be 20 minutes minimum.

5.3.2 Magnetic particle inspection. When specified, parts shall be cleaned and
inspected per ASTM-E1444, for any deleterious processing effects on the part. The
acceptance standard should be as required by responsible engineering organization.

5.4 Process Controls. Solutions used in the plating process shall be checked
periodically and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this process
standard

5.5 Qualification Embrittlement Test. The vendor shall demonstrate his ability to
provide chromium plate, which meets the requirements of para.4.6 as follows:

a. Four round notched 4340 steel specimens per ASTM F 519, Type
1a.1 or 1a.2 shall be prepared.

b. The specimens shall be prepared for plating and plated in accordance

with all of the requirements of this specification. During plating the specimens shall be
mounted symmetrically on a rack by themselves. All areas of the rack except the
contact area shall be coated with a suitable maskant. An ammeter, having a sensitivity
of 0.5 amperes or better shall be connected in the plating circuit near the specimens
being plated. The ammeter shall either be built into the rectifier being used or shall be
inserted between the rectifier and the cathode. The specimen shall be plated at two
amperes per square inch for three hours. The specimen shall be baked for twenty-three
hours at 191 ± 14°C (375 ± 25°F) within four hours of removal from the bath.

c. The specimens will be subjected to 200 hours of static loading at 75

percent of the ultimate notched tensile strength. The test shall be considered passed if
all four specimens meet the requirements of paragraph 4.6.

d. Upon successful completion of the static load test, one of the notched
tensile specimens shall be sectioned across the notch parallel to the axis of the
specimen. Photomicrographs shall be taken of the notched area and examined for
complete coverage of the notch (use 80 – 100X magnification).

5.6 Process control embrittlement acceptance test. The process control

embrittlement acceptance test shall be as follows:

a. Two standard specimens of the type noted in paragraph 5.5.a shall be

plated per paragraph 5.5.b in conjunction with the plating of items. The specimens shall
be subjected to a sustained load test of 75 percent of the ultimate notch tensile strength

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of the material for 200 hours minimum and shall meet the requirements of paragraph
4.6. Failure of any one of the specimens shall constitute failure of the test, and
production shall cease until the cause of the failure is determined and the bath requalified.
Acceptance of items completed after the last successfully completed
acceptance test shall be withheld until the extent and cause of the failure have been
determined.

b. The test for embrittlement shall be conducted as often as deemed

necessary with a maximum interval of every ninety days. Prior to processing with a new
bath, the bath must be qualified in accordance with paragraph 5.5.

5.7 Safety and health. This document specifies the use of certain materials,
which have been listed in 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA Standards) as “Toxic and Hazardous
Substances.” Personnel exposure of these materials during the process must be limited
to the values specified in applicable portions of the OSHA Standard 1910.1000.

6. NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory in nature that may be

helpful, but is not mandatory.)

6.1 Intended use. This standard provides guidance on the procedures and
processes for low embrittlement chromium electro-deposition for verification of the Air
Force repair process on the landing gear of all aircrafts. It is an Air Force unique
manufacturing standard that will be used only the Air Force at Hill Air Force Base.

6.2 Plating options. Chrome plating is applied for wear resistance, reconditioning worn or
undersized parts, and such incidental corrosion protection as the specified thickness of the
deposit may afford. Where corrosion protection is desired, and undercoat of nickel 0.025 to
0.050 millimeters (0.001 to 0.002 inches) thickness is recommended. When not specified, Class
3 plating is preferred (see paragraph 1.2.1).

6.3 Subject term (key word) listing.

Chrome
Corrosion
Process control

6.4 Changes from previous issue. Marginal notations are not used in this revision to
identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extent of the changes.

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CONCLUDING MATERIAL

Custodian: Preparing Activity:

Air Force – 70 Air Force – 70

(Project MFFP-2011-005)

Agent Activity:
Air Force- 99

Note: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this
document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency of
the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.daps.dla.mil.

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