Group Standard

PV 1058
Issue 2010-03

Class. No.: Descriptors:

50221 chromium, microcracked chrome deposit, chrome-plated, cracks

Chrome-Plated Surfaces Determination of the Microcracked Chrome Deposit

Previous issues PV 1058: 1973-04, 1999-12, 2004-12 Changes The following changes have been made as compared to PV 1058: 2004-12: Sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 expanded 1 Scope

This standard describes a method for determining the microcracked chrome deposit on chromeplated surfaces. 2 Description Microcracked chrome deposit acc. to PV 1058 3 3.1 Test Test equipment

A reflected light microscope with 100x to 200x magnification that has a dark field capacity in addition to the normal bright field capacity is required to determine the microcracked chrome deposit. In order to count the microcracked chrome density, the microscope must either have etched measurement lines in the eyepiece or an image recording device that can be calibrated.

Check standard for current issue prior to usage. This electronically generated standard is authentic and valid without signature. The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies the German version shall govern. Numerical notation acc. to ISO practice.

Page 1 of 4

Technical responsibility GQL-LM/2 GQL-LM/2 GQL-L Dr. Anja Hasse Gnther Laudien Dr. Stephan Eisenberg Tel.: +49-5361-9-42106

Standards Department EKDV/4 Jrgen Wiesner Tel.: +49-5361-9-29064 EKDV Manfred Terlinden

Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be transmitted or reproduced without prior permission of a Standards Department of the Volkswagen Group. Parties to a contract can only obtain this standard via the B2B supplier platform www.vwgroupsupply.com.

Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft

VWNORM-2008-12m

Page 2 PV 1058: 2010-03

3.2

Etching solution

In order to be able to evaluate the microcracked chrome deposit, etching is common in most cases. The aqueous etching solution contains 85,0 g/l NaOH and 53,0 g/l K3(Fe(CN))6. Etching is omitted for chrome-plated plastic parts with microcracks. 3.3 Procedure

The specimen part is cleaned with methylated spirit or acetone and viewed at 100x magnification under the microscope using the dark field. If the microcracked chrome deposit is clearly identifiable, the number of cracks per cm is counted using the measurement lines in the eyepiece or by means of a calibrated recording. If the crack network cannot be clearly identified, the part must be etched and then viewed anew under the microscope. The etching duration is approx. 20 min when the etching solution is unused and can be extended to 15 h. If a microcracked chrome deposit cannot be clearly identified even after this etching duration, then the etching solution is discarded, new solution is prepared, and the etching process is repeated. Alternatively, anodic etching with a Couloscope for 5 s at 0,5 A in 10% NaOH is permissible. Etched parts must preferably be evaluated at 100x magnification in the bright field. If the crack network cannot be identified clearly with this method, 200x magnification must be used for the evaluation. 3.4 Test report

The counted number of cracks, the crack structure (e.g., incomplete, regular) if necessary, and the position of the examined measurement areas must be indicated in the test report. Example: top of piston rod (according to drawing specification) 600 to 800 cracks/cm, partially in complete. 3.5 Explanations of the images (magnification = 100 : 1)

Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6 show typical unacceptable microcracked chrome deposit structures and microcracked chrome crack densities. Figure 7 shows an irregular microcracked chrome deposit that is the cause of a complaint but is still accepted. Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, and Figure 11 show microcracked chrome crack densities that are evaluated as being OK.

Page 3 PV 1058: 2010-03

Figure 1 Irregular microcracked chrome deposit, < 100 to 400 cracks/cm

Figure 2 Irregular microcracked chrome deposit, < 100 to 200 cracks/cm

Figure 3 Incomplete microcracked chrome de posit

Figure 4 Individual crack

Figure 5 Overly coarse microcracked chrome deposit, < 100 cracks/cm

Figure 6 Overly fine microcracked chrome de posit, > 1 000 cracks/cm

Page 4 PV 1058: 2010-03

Figure 7 Irregular microcracked chrome deposit, approx. 200 to 400 cracks/cm

Figure 8 Complete microcracked chrome de posit, approx. 250 to 400 cracks/cm

Figure 9 Complete two-layer microcracked chrome deposit, approx. 300 to 400 cracks/cm in the upper crack layer

Figure 10 Complete microcracked chrome de posit, approx. 400 to 600 cracks/cm

Figure 11 Complete microcracked chrome deposit, approx. 600 to 800 cracks/cm