BS 4479-2-1990

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BSI BSa4479: P A R T r 2 90 Lb24bb9 0073042 T =

BS 4479 :
Part 2 : 1990
UDG 672/673: 62/.795: 006 :
669...857
Design of articles
that are to be coated
Part 2. Recommendations for
electroplated and autocatalytic coatings
Conception des aificles à revêtir Gestaltung zu beschichtender Gegenstände

Partie 2. Recommandations pour les dépôts '&il 2. Galvanische und autokatalytiich
électrolytiques et les revêtements abgeschiedene Überzüge
autocatalytiques
II .--
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BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Cornittees responsible for this

British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Surface Coatings
(other than Paints) Standards Policy Committee (SRC/-)to Technical Committee
SRC/10, upon which the following bodies were represented:
British Anodising Association

Institute of Metal Finishing
Institute of Sheet Metal Engineering
Institute of Vitreous Enamellers
International Tin Research Institute
Metal Finishing Association
Welding Institute
Zinc Development Association
O BSI 1990
Rrst published, as BS 4479, Amd. No. Date Text affected
August 1969
First revision, as BS 4479 : Part 2
July 1990
The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference SRC/10
Draft for comment 86/53497 DC
ISBN O li80 17900 1
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COPYRIGHT 2002; British Standards Institution on ERC Specs and Standards Document provided by IHS Licensee=Fluor Corporation/2110503105, User=,
B S I B S M 4 4 7 9 : PART*Z 'i0 m Lh2Ybhî 0 0 7 L O q q 3 I
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword 2
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Recommendations
1 Scope
2 Definitions
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3 Design considerations for electroplated articles
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4 Design considerations for autocatalytically plated articles
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Appendix
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A Diagrams illustrating preferred and deprecated design features for
articles to be electroplated 6
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Figures
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1 Roìied edges 6
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2 Hollow articles 6
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3 Corners 6
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4 Edges 7
5 Fins 7
6 Indentations 7
7 Protruberances 7
8 Ribs 8
9 Slots 8
10 Bends 8
11 Blind holes 8
12 Holes 9
13 Overlap joints 9
14 Welded joints 9
15 Screwed joints 10
16 Flat plates 10
17 Selective plating features 11
18 Stacking densities 11
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BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
BSI B S * 4 4 7 9 : P A R T * Z 90 m 1 6 2 4 6 6 9 0073045 5 =
Foreword
This Part of BS 4479 has been prepared under the direction of the Surface
Coatings (other than Paints) Standards Policy Committee and is based on a draft
prepared by the Institute of Metal Finishing. The BSI %chnical Committee
acknowledges the contribution to this revision by the Institute') and by the
Committee for the Promotion of Electroplating. This Part of BS 4479 is one of a
series of Parts which together form a revision of BS 4479 : 1969. On publication
of all the Parts, BS 4479 : 1969 will be withdrawn. This revision of BS 4479
comprises the following Parts:
Part 1 General recommendations
Part 2 Recommendations for electroplated and autocatalytic coatings
Pait 3 Recommendations for conversion coatings
Part 4 Recommendations for paint coatings and varnish coatings
Part 5 Recommendations for anodic oxidation coatings
Pai%6 Recommendations for hot-dip metal coatings
Part 7 Recommendations for thermally sprayed coatings
Part 8 Recommendations for vitreous enamel coatings
Past 9 Recommendations for low pressure and vacuum deposited coatings
BS 4479 is directed towards helping to maximize the benefit obtained from
coating processes. There is a wide vai-iety of coating processes, developed and
established industrially, intended to enhance or transform the surfaces of
manufactured articles. However, time and money are often wasted because the
design of many articles is unsuitable for the coating process to be applied.
Coating is only one part of the manufacturing process and should not be ignored,
or viewed in isolation, when considering the overall costs and quality.
This revision of BS 4479 has been undeitalten to extend the range of coating
processes covered, It is not intended to cover every conceivable design detail,
type of article or service condition. Adherence to the general principles described
will, however, greatly assist in the achievement of the desired results. In any case
of doubt or difficulty, specialist advice in the particular type of process being
considered should be sought.
This Part of BS 4479 is not a specification and should not be used as such. The
recommendations are intended to provide guidance towards good practice.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from
legal obligations,
'1 Institute of Metal Finishing.
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BSI B S * q 4 7 9 : P A R T 8 2 90 E 362Llbhï 007304b 7 m
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Recommendations
1 Scope 2.8 polishing

This Part of BS 4479 gives recommendations for the The smoothing of a metal surface.
design of parts that are to be coated by 2.9 electropolishing
electroplating or autocatalytic plating. The smoothing and brightening of a metal surface
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This Part of BS 4479 applies to the various by making it anodic in an appropriate solution.
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techniques available for vat and barrel

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electroplating, selective electroplating, 2.10 chemical polishing

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autocatalytic plating (commonly referred to as Immersion of a metal surface in a solution to

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electroless plating, though this term is deprecated), produce improved surface smoothness.
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but does not give full details of the various

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processes available for the plating of either metallic 2.11 significant surface
or non-metallic surfaces. The part of the article covered or to be covered by
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NM% 1. Many of the basic design recommendations given are the coating and for which the coating is essential
equally applicable to both metallic articles and to those for serviceability and/or appearance.
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manufactured from other materials, e.g. plastics.

NOIE 2. It is recommended that Part 1 of ES 4479 be read in
conjunction with this Part. Part 1 includes a list of 3 Design considerations for
British Standards relating to processes covered by Bs 4479 but electroplated articles
not necessarily referred to in each Part.
NOTE 3. The titles of the publications referred to in this 3.1 General
standard are listed on the inside back covel: Plating is a process of depositing a metal, or alloy,
on to the surface of an article, usually made of a
2 Definitions different metal. It is also possible to deposit metals
For the purposes of this Part of BS 4479, the on to a non-metallic material. Plating can be
following definitions apply. effected with the aid of an electric current
(electroplating) or by immersion in an appropriate
2.1 electroplated coating solution (autocatalytic plating).
A coating obtained by electrodeposition for the There are three main reasons for the application of
purpose of securing an adherent metallic surface a metallic coating by electrodeposition:
with properties or dimensions different from those (a) to provide an increased resistance to
of the basis material. corrosion;
2.2 electrodeposition (b) for decorative purposes;
The process of depositing a substance upon an (c) for engineering applications.
electrode by electrolysis. Articles to be plated are normally suspended on
2.3 autocatalytic coating wires or jigs in vats, or, in the case of articles that
can be handled in bulk, are processed in rotating
Deposition of a metallic coating by a controlled barrels.
chemical reduction that is catalysed by the metal
or alloy being deposited. Articles that require a polished finish are given a
NWE. Electroless plating L! a deprecated term.
preliminary treatment of grinding or linishing, if
necessary, and polishing, or are mass treated in a
2.4 barrel electroplating rotating barrel or vibratory bowl with various
A process by which electroplated coatings are abrasive media or polishing compounds. Chemical
applied to articles in bulk in a rotating container. or electrochemical polishing can be used on certain
metals or alioys and may be advantageous on small
2.5 vat plating and intricately shaped articles. Blind holes, recesses
A process in which the articles to be electroplated and joint crevices, where compound and metal
are independently attached to the cathode. debris can lodge, should be avoided if possible.
2.6 brush electroplating An electrodeposited coating is generally not
distributed uniformly over the surface of an article,
A method of electroplating in which the electrolyte but is likely to be thicker at prominences and
is contained in a pad or brush in contact with the corners where the current tends to concentrate,
anode. The pad o r brush is applied to the part to and thinner in depressions. Where plated articles
be processed which is given opposite polarity. have to be fitted together, due allowance should be
2.7 linishing made for the thickness and distribution of the
A process whereby flat surfaces are directionally coating, eng.on screw threads (see also BS 3382).
ground by means of an abrasive bonded to an
endless flexible belt.
BSI B S 8 4 4 7 9 : P A R T 8 2 90 W Lb24bb9 0071047 9 W
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
The use of autocatalytic processes (see clause 4) 3.3 Barrel plating

frequently provides a much more uniform coating Design may have to take account of non-uniform
thickness on all surfaces. Generally, it is best to distribution of coating thicknesses sometimes
avoid large flat areas which can highlight basis obtained in barrel plating. Articles should not be
metal imperfections. Convex or textured sui-faces prone to interlocking, which can result in damage
are to be preferred. as well as poor distribution of plating. Flat articles
Some deposits are less ductile than others and this such as washers should be dimpled, if possible, to
should be borne in mind when application is prevent sticking. Cup-shaped articles may be
considered for articles that might undergo some difficult to immerse in liquids and may drain
flexing in fabrication or service. ineffectively during transfer from one process
The effect of certain plating processes on the solution to the next; in such cases suitable drainage
mechanical properties of some substrates, and, holes should be provided where possible.
hence, possibly on the serviceability of the coated 3.4 Selective plating
article should be noted. For example, high strength
The following are examples of techniques that are
steels (normally above 1000 N/mm2)are particularly
susceptible to embrittlement by the hydrogen available for the selective plating of articles:
evolved during the pretreatment or plating (a) brush plating;
processes, and the effect can be relieved by NOTE. Brush plating is normally used for loral repair work
although large articles, too big to immerse in a vat can be
suitable heat-treatment'). processed by this method. Numeroils metals antl alloys ran l)r
Consideration should be given to which of the brush plated and the entire operation is capable of being
automated.
following methods of plating is likely to be the
more suitable, in view of the shape and size of the (b) application of a screen-printed or
articles: photo-mechanical mask prior to total immersion
of the article in the process solutions;
(1) vat plating (see 3.2);
(c) application of a mechanical mask for total
(2) barrel plating (see 3.3); immersion;
(3)selective plating (see 3.4). (d) controlled depth of immersion in the plating
Diagrams illustrating preferred and deprecated solution.
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design features for articles to be electroplated are In the case of continuous automatic selective
given in appendix A.
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plating, in which mechanical masks can be used,
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3.2 Vat plating the work is transported on a bandolier, or
Account should be taken of the fact that articles to continuous strand, through an automatic in-line
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be vat plated should have jigging, or wiring points. processing and plating line.
The orientation of the articles on the bandolier or
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They should be either located in the processing
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solutions in such a manner that liquid will not be strand should permit selective or partial plating to
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trapped in seams or hollows, or be provided with be carried out, if possible allowing a choice of
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techniques. The active area of the article should
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drainage holes to prevent this problem.
therefore be presented in the most accessible
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Provision of a means for releasing of air or evolved
gas should be made where this may become position. In some cases, a post-forming operation --
trapped during plating. may be necessary and it is important to note that

forming of the active area after plating is generally
It is important that the designer clearly indicates inadvisable.
those significant surfaces intended to be coated for
decorative purposes and/or corrosion protection. To facilitate economical processing speeds, the
This will assist the electroplater in processing to arrangement of articles should avoid line astern
ensure smooth deposits with as even a thickness as configuration. Close pitched ladder formations,
possible. with multiple rows, are preferred if possible.
The cost of plating a given area on an article will The selvedge, carrier bar or bandolier should be
be greater if the space occupied by the aiticle in sufficiently strong to withstand several S-bends
the vat is large. It is sometimes more economical to during processing, and should be capable of
make the article in sections and assemble them carrying the current for the electrolytic processes
after plating. used, taking into account the high current densities
common to this type of processing.
I ) Appendix A of BS 4479 : Part 1 : 1989 includes a list of soine British Standards that give details of suital)le treatmrnts. e.8. 13s
1700 and BS 4292 : Part 1. Further detailed informat.ion may also he found in 'Engineering coatings - applications antl l)ropwties*.
No. 16 in the series of Guides to Practice in Coiwsion Control, published by National Corrosion Service of' the National €'hysi<xl
I,aboratoiy, obtainable froin HMSO.
BSI B S L 4 4 7 9 : P A R T 8 2 90 1624669 0073048 O II
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Twist and edge-wise bowing (sabre) should be 4 Design considerations for

avoided, if precise selective plating of small areas is autocatalytically plated articles
required. These adverse characteristics are more
serious when a punched strand has more than one The piincipal design features given in clause 3 foi
cariier bar (see figure 17 for recommended design electroplated coatings and illustrated in appendix A
practice and tolerances). are equally applicable to articles required to be
Pitch errors should not be cumulative and autocatalytically plated. The coatings produced,
tolerances on all features should generally reflect even on relatively complex shaped parts, may be
the precision required in t e i n s of area and location very unifoim in thickness.
of the selective plating. A combination of autocatalytic and electrolytic
If the bandoliered aiticles are tubular, e.g. socket processing may be applied in coating plastics.
contacts, they should be free draining and Design concepts for vat and baiTel plating are
suited to the coating of plastics articles. It should
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accessible to spray rinses and forced air drying.

be stressed that the production of a good
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Components should be easily removable, e.g. for

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serviceable plated plastics article will depend upon

the purposes of testing, without recoui-se to cutting the plastics selected and expert advice should be
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the strand. obtained. In plating plastics it should be

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remembered that many polymers lose their strength

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at the processing temperatures. Wall thicknesses

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should be sufficient to prevent distortion and

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jigging points (where significant pressure has to be

applied) should be strong enough to withstand
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distortion or be situated in non-critical areas.

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B s I BS*4479: P A R T * Z 90 U Lb24bb9 08730Ll9 2 I
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Appendix
Appendix A. Diagrams illustrating preferred and deprecated design features for

articles to be electroplated
Diagrams illustrating preferred and deprecated design features for articles to be electroplated are given in
figures 1 to 18.
(a) Deprecated design @) Preferred design
NOTE. The design should be such that solutions cannot be trapped.
Figure 1. Roiled edges
(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design
NOTE. Drainage holes should be provided in holiow articles.

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Figure 2. Hollow articles

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N(YTE. Corners should have a radius of at least 1 mm.
Figure 3. Corners
B S I BSx4Y74: PART*I(2 90 YI Lb24bb9 0071050 9 = BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
NOTE. Edges should be smoothed out as much as possible.
Figure 4. Edges
NOTE. Fins should be spaced as widely as possible and the edges rounded.
Figure 5. Fins
NOTE. Corners and edges of indentations should be rounded to a radius of a t least

a quarter of their depth.
Figure 6. Indentations
NmE. Protruberances draw current preferentially.
Figure 7. Protruberances
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BSI B S r 4 4 7 9 : P A R T x 2 90 I1624669 0071051
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
0000
NCYI'E. Ribs should be smooth in section and spaced as widely as possible.
Figure 8. Ribs
NUI%. Sharp edges and corners of slots should be eliminated.
Figure 9. Slots
I-- 2 5 m m diameter ,25 m m diameter
NOTE. Inside curved surfaces should have a minimum mdius of 12.5 mm.
Figure 10. Bends

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NOTE. If blind holes are essential they should be shallow with well rounded
cornels or edges.
Figure 11. Blind holes
BSI BSsq477: PARTs2 90 = Lb24667 0071052 2
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
NOTE. Edges of holes should be rounded or counteisunk.
Figure 12. Holes

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N m . Joint area should be reduced to lessen danger of solution entrapment.

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Figure 13. Overlap joints

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NOTE.Overhp area on spot welded sheets should be reduced to reduce danger of

solution entrapment.
Figure 14. Welded joints
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BSI BS*V479: P A R T x 2 90 3 6 2 4 b b î 0073053 4
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Nûï'E. OverIap area on jointed sheets should be reduced to reduce danger of

solution entrapment.
Figure 16. Screwed joints
NCYI'E. Holes should be

provided, if possible, to
facilitate jigging or
wiring.
Figure 16. Flat plates
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BSI BS*4477: P A R T * Z 90 L b 2 4 b b 7 007L05Y b 9
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Edge b o w max. tolerance - 0.1 mm over 600 mm
P i l o t or progression f e a t u r e
d e s i r a b l e for l o c a t i o n
NUIT. A maximum of 2 mm sabreing per 1000 mm is N m . Position of the plated area should be referred to a datum
recommended for unpunched flat stock or punched strip feature of the carrier bar such as the pilot hole to assist accurate
with 2 or niore carrier bars. Up to 4 mm per 1000 min is location for plating. All features of the carrier bar should be
allowable for stiips with one carrier bar, depending on the dimensioned and toleranced to the same Standard of accuracy as
compliance of the cariiei: location and extent of plated area.
(a) ileprecated design @) Preferred design
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Figure 17. Selective plating features

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x X
(a) Ikprecated design : low stacking density (b) Preferred design : high stacking
density, double banked
Figure 18. Stacking densities
.Y
11
BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990
Publications referred to
BS 1706 Method for specifying electroplated coatings of cadium and zinc on iron or steel
BS 3382 Specification for electroplated coatings on threaded components
BS 4292 Method for specifying electroplated coatings of gold and gold alloys
Part 1Gold and gold alloys for engineering purposes
BS 4479 Design of articles that are to be coated
Part 1 General recommendations
‘Engineering coatings - applications and properties’, Guides to Practice in Corrosion
Control No. 16, published by National Corrosion Service of the National Physical Laboratory
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I) Obtainable from HMSO Publications Centre, PO Box 276, London SW8 5M: i
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BS 4479 :
Part 2 : 1990 1
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BSI BSa4479: P A R T r 2 90 Lb24bb9 0073042 T =

Conception des aificles à revêtir Gestaltung zu beschichtender Gegenstände

COPYRIGHT 2002; British Standards Institution on ERC Specs and Standards

BS 4479 : Part 2 : 1990

Cornittees responsible for this

British Anodising Association

The following BSI references

ISBN O li80 17900 1

-- || | || | | ||| |||| |||| ||| |||| ||| | || |---

'1 Institute of Metal Finishing.

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1 Scope 2.8 polishing

techniques available for vat and barrel

electroplating, selective electroplating, 2.10 chemical polishing

autocatalytic plating (commonly referred to as Immersion of a metal surface in a solution to

but does not give full details of the various

manufactured from other materials, e.g. plastics.

The use of autocatalytic processes (see clause 4) 3.3 Barrel plating

trapped during plating. may be necessary and it is important to note that

Twist and edge-wise bowing (sabre) should be 4 Design considerations for

accessible to spray rinses and forced air drying.

Components should be easily removable, e.g. for

serviceable plated plastics article will depend upon

the strand. obtained. In plating plastics it should be

remembered that many polymers lose their strength

at the processing temperatures. Wall thicknesses

should be sufficient to prevent distortion and

jigging points (where significant pressure has to be

distortion or be situated in non-critical areas.

Appendix A. Diagrams illustrating preferred and deprecated design features for

(a) Deprecated design @) Preferred design

NOTE. The design should be such that solutions cannot be trapped.

Figure 1. Roiled edges

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

NOTE. Drainage holes should be provided in holiow articles.

Figure 2. Hollow articles

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

N(YTE. Corners should have a radius of at least 1 mm.

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

NOTE. Edges should be smoothed out as much as possible.

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

(a) Deprecated design @) Preferred design

NOTE. Corners and edges of indentations should be rounded to a radius of a t least

(a) Deprecated design @) Preferred design

NmE. Protruberances draw current preferentially.

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NCYI'E. Ribs should be smooth in section and spaced as widely as possible.

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

NUI%. Sharp edges and corners of slots should be eliminated.

I-- 2 5 m m diameter ,25 m m diameter

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

Figure 10. Bends

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

Figure 11. Blind holes

(a) Deprecated design (b) Preferred design

NOTE. Edges of holes should be rounded or counteisunk.

Figure 12. Holes

(a) Deprecated design @) Preferred design