MMC STANDARD

SCOPE

CLASSIF1CATI0N :

Engineering

STANDARES NO.:

O F APPUCATION:

Standard

MS 82-3701
(Rev. 5)

CORPORATE - WIDE

TITLE:

BY:Technical
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Dept.

ISSUED

ZINC ELECTROPLATING STANDARD

{estuoso)
Scope
This standard s p e c i f i e s the e l e c t r o p l a t e d c o a t i n g of z i n c ( h e r e i n a f t e r
c a l l e d " p l a t i n g " ) a p p l i e d to b a s i s metis o f automobile parts ( h e r e i n a f t e r c a l l e d " p a r t s " ) c h i e f l y f o r the purpose of preventing corrosin
or r u s t and of ornament.
D e f i n i t i o n of Terms
The terms i n t h i s standard are defined as f o l l o w s .

The other terms

s h a l l conform to the d e f i n i t i o n i n J I S H 0400 (Glossary of Terms Used

in Electroplating).
(1) B r i g h t Chromate Treatment
The chromate treatment

produces corrosin p r e v e n t i v e coatings on

z i n c and at the same time e x e r c i s e s chemical p o l i s h i n g .

chromate treatment

Bright

i s imtended f o r g i v i n g b r i g h t n e s s to the p l a t i n g

making use of the chemiaal p o l i s h i n g .

There are two methods; one

by use of chromate treatmet s o l u t i o n that mainly gives chemical

p o l i s h i n g w h i l e contrlling the formation of corrosin preventive
c o a t i n g and another by se of a l k a l i n e s o l u t i o n , a f t e r

forming

corrosin preventive cating, t o o b t a i n the b r i g h t f i n i d h .

(2) Color Chromate, Greea Chromate, and B l a c k Chromate Treatment
The coatings of chrmate f o r corrosin p r e v e n t i o n are t h i c k and
colored.

Therefore te corrosin p r e v e n t i v e coatings are c a l l e d

" c o l o r chromate".

Tke c o l o r tone v a r i e s w i t h the composition

percentage of chrmium chromates ( x C r 0 - y C r 0 z H 0 ) that i s the

2

main component the c o a t i n g ; green c o l o r tone i s c a l l e d "green

chromate" and blak c o l o r tone i s c a l l e d "black chromate'.'., .
- ->v?>,

(3) I n t e r f e r e n c e Frige

In r e l a t i v e l y t h i n chrmate c o a t i n g s , t r a n s p a f e h t a n d . i n y i s i b l e Vt h i n coatings smetimes remain on the p l a t i n g W

l i g h t s t r i k e s n t h i s s u r f a c e , the r e f l e c t e d

Mo.
>

When the wnite ,-._/

49'

the coating.'

and the p l a t i m g surface, i n t e r f e r i n g w i t h each o t * ^ y ^ s m > ^ ^ \ r a i n b owEFTECnVE:

ESTABUSHMENT:
R
E

V
I

I
0
N

REV. 1
REY 2
REV. 3
REV.

REV S

June 20 ,'84
Feb. 13 '68

REFERENCE

Mar. 20 ,'69
Apr. 2 ,'70
Mar. 22 ,'76
9 ,'84
Feb.
June 20 .'84

ENCLOSURES

JIS H 8610.
JIS D 0201
JIS Z 2248

ORIGINAL

FILED

AT :

Technical Administra
t i o n Deot.
APPROVALl

MS 82-3701

MMC STANDARD
l i k e color.

REV.
2

/7

The f r i n g e pattern caused by t h i s phenomenon i s c a l l e d

"interference fringe".
(4) Dispersin of Surface Color
The c o l o r tone of c o l o r chromate v a r i e s w i t h the composition of
coating.

The composition of coating i s l i a b l e " t o vary depending

upon the composition of chromate treatment bath and the operating

conditions.

Therefore, even i n a l o t of one p a r t , color tone,

d i f f e r e n c e w i l l p o s s i b l y happen i n i n d i v i d u a l p a r t s and even on

one surface i t i s d i f f i c u l t to o b t a i n uniform c o l o r tone and leading
to uneven c o l o r .
(5) White Corrosin Product
The corrosin products of zinc c o s i s t s , i n most cases, of white
chemical compounds such as basic z i n c carbonate and so on.

Such

c o r r o s i v e products (zinc r u s t ) are produced when the chromate

coatings are destroyed and z i n c i s exposed to c o r r o s i v e enviromnent.
Class

and Symbol

P l a t i n g s s h a l l be d i v i d e d i n t o 19 groups w i t h i t s symbol as shown i n

Table 1.
TABLE
^lass

Symbol

Location

Applicable

Parts

Screws, washers, small

cases, e t c .

Chiefly i n interior requiring for

identification.

MFZn5-B

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r r e q u i r i n g f o r ] Screws, washers, small

beauty and i d e n t i f i c a t i o n .
i cases, e t c .

MFZn8-B

Chiefly i n interior requiring for

beauty.

MFZnl3-B

C h i e f l y i n s i d e of p a r t s , mounted Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

i n e x t e r i o r , r e q u i r i n g f o r b r i g h t - j general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s ,
mechanical f u n c t i o n p a r t s .
ness.

MFZn3-C

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r r e q u i r i n g f o r Screws, washers, small

identification.
i shafts.

MFZn5-C

Chiefly i n interior requiring for

corrosin r e s i s t a n c e .

MFZn8-C

Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r and i n s i d e of
general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s ,
p a r t s , mounted i n e x t e r i o r , r e q u i r - mechanical function p a r t s ,
ing f o r corrosin r e s i s t a n c e .
brake pipe.

0)

Applicable

SYMBOL

MFZn3-B

X
en
Kt

Screws, washers, small

cases, e t c .

Screws, washers, small

s h a f t s , grease n i p p l e s ,
s m a l l cases, general
s t r u c t u r a l parts.

(continued)

MMC STANDARD

/
/

Class

Symbol

Applicable

(continued)

Locatlon

Applicable

Parts

MFZnl3-C

Chiefly i n exterior especially

r e q u i r i n g f o r corrosin r e s i s t a n c e .

Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s ,
mechanical function p a r t s ,
i n s t a l l i n g parts.

MFZn25-C

Chiefly i n exterior requiring for

s p e c i a l corrosin prevention.

Brake tubes, e t c . ,

MFZn5-G

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r of green.

Screws, washers, e t c .

MFZn8-G

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r and i n s i d e of
p a r t s , mounted i n e x t e r i o r , green
and r e q u i r i n g f o r corrosin r e sistance.

Screws, washers, small

s h a f t s , cases, r e t a i n e r ,
lamp body, general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s , mechanical
function parts, i n s t a l l i n g
parts.

MFZnl3-G

C h i e f l y i n e x t e r i o r , green and
especially requiring for corrotion
resistance.

Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s ,
i n s t a l l i n g p a r t s , mechanic a l function parts.

MFZn5-K

Chiefly i n interior requiring f o r

b l a c k i n respect of s t y l i n g .

Screws, washers, e t c .

J)

MFZn8-K

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r and i n s i d e of
p a r t s , mounted i e x t e r i o r , r e q u i r i n g f o r black i n respect of
s t y l i n g and f o r corrosin r e s i s t ance.

Screws, washers, samll

s h a f t s , case, r e t a i n e r ,
lamp body, general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s , mechanical
function parts, i n s t a l l i n g
parts.

MFZnl3-K

Chiefly i n exterior requiring f o r

b l a c k i n respect of s t y l i n g and
e s p e c i a l l y f o r corrosin r e s i s t ance.

Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

general s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s ,
i n s t a l l i n g p a r t s , mechani c a l f u n c t i o n parts.

MFZnl3

Chiefly i n interior specifically

not subjected to chromate t r e a t ment i n respect of s t y l i n g , e t c .

Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

i n s t a l l i n g p a r t s , general
s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s , mechanic a l f u n c t i o n parts.

MFZn20

Chiefly i n exterior s p e c i f i c a l l y
not subjected to chromate t r e a t ment i n respect of s t y l i n g , e t c .

Case, r e t a i n e r , lamp body,

i n s t a l l i n g p a r t s , general
s t r u c t u r a l p a r t s , mechanic a l function parts.

MBZn2

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r and e x t e r i o r
not r e q u i r i n g f o r beauty. .

Screws, small machine

parts.

MBZn2-B

C h i e f l y i n i n t e r i o r and e x t e r i o r
not r e q u i r i n g f o r beauty.

Screws, small machine

parts.

MS 82-3701

Kt.V.

MIC STANDARD

Remarks:
1. At the end of symbols, B means " b r i g h t chromate treatment", C means
" c o l o r chromate treatment", G means "green chromate treatment"
(commonly c a l l e d " o l i v e drab treatment"), and K means "black chromate
treatment".
2. I n t e r i o r i s intended f o r l o c a t i o n s i n s i d e the carbody and not subj e c t to r a i n d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y .

3. E x t e r i o r i s intended f o r l o c a t i o n s other than i n t e r i o r .

However,

a l o c a t i o n , though w i t h i n i n t e r i o r , subject p a r t i a l l y to weathering

s h a l l be considered as e x t e r i o r .
Quality
4.1

...

Appearance
P l a t i n g i n appearance s h a l l be smooth and f r e e from burning, b l i s t e r ,
bare b a s i s metis, and other d e f e c t s t h a t might a f f e c t s e r v i c e a bility.

For b r i g h t chromate and c o l o r chromate treatments the i n t e r -

ference f r i n g e or dispersin of c o l o r on the s u r f a c e s h a l l be acceptable.

However, f o r green chromate and b l a c k chromate treatments,

uneven c o l o r s h a l

not be permitted.

Note ( 1 ) : Defects of b a s i s metis, though not recognized by normal

methods, sometimes appear, a f t e r p l a t i n g , as i f . t h e y were
plating defects.
4.2

Thickness
P l a t i n g thickness s h a l l conform to Table 2.

The thickness means the

minimum p l a t i n g t h i c k n e s s except that of chromate treatment c o a t i n g .

TABLE 2
Symbol

MINIMUM PLATING THICKNESS

Minimum P l a t i n g Thickness (pm)

MFZn3

MFZn5

MFZn8

MFZnl3

13

MFZn20

20

MFZn25

25

MBZn2

Test Method

Paragraph
5.2

LjMC

na

STANDARD
4.3

O-J/U

Corrosin Resistance
Conduct s a l t spray t e s t i n accordance w i t h 5.3.

White corrosin or

red r u s t s h a l l not form before the time s p e c i f i e d i n Table 3.

TABLE 3

Symbol

SALT SPRAY TIME REQUIREMENT

Time f o r White Corrosin

Time f o r Red Rust

(Iron Rust)

MFZn3-B

4.4

MFZn5-B

56

MFZn8-B

96

MFZnl3-B

144

MFZn3-C

72

MFZn5-C

72

132

MFZn8-C

72

152

MFZnl3-C

72

192

MTZn25-C

72

400

MFZn5-G

72

132

MFZn'8-G

72

152

MFZnl3-G

72

192

MFZn5-K

72

132

MFZn8-K

72

152

MFZnl3-K

72

192

MFZnl3

96

MTZn20

152

Removal of Hydrogen Embrittlement

(1) S t e e l products, f o r example b o l t s , screws, s p r i n g washers, spring
c l i p s , p i n s , and other mechanical f u n c t i o n p a r t s or equivalent,
which are heat treated to hardness HRC 35 min by quenching and
tempering, s h a l l be subjected to removal of.hydrogen embrittlement
as a r u l e w i t h i n 8 hr a f t e r p l a t i n g .

"*

The operating c o n d i t i o n s h a l l be as f o l l o w s :
Heating Temperature: 190 5C
Time

: 3 hr min

: '

MMC

STANDARD
(2) When removal of hydrogen embrittlement and chromate treatment
are r e q u i r e d , a f t e r removal of hydrogen embrittlement conduct
a c t i v a t i o n treatment and then chromate treatment.
(Remarles) The c o n d i t i o n s of a c t i v a t i o n treatment are given f o r
reference as f o l l o w s .
Treatment

solution:

N i t r i c a c i d 0.5 to 2.0 1 (by volume) or s u l f u r i c a c i d

1.0 to 2.0 Z (by volume).
' Temperature

4.5

: Room temperature

Inmersin time

: 5 to 10 sec

Rinse

: S u f f i c i e n t l y r i n s e by fresh water.

Bending
When p a r t i c u l a r l y s p e c i f i e d , conduct bend t e s t i n accordance w i t h
5.4.

5.

P l a t i n g s h a l l be free from p e e l i n g .

Methods of Test
5.1

Surface P r e p a r a t i o n of Test
(2)
Test specimens

s h a l l be degreased and cleaned on the surface

using a s u i t a b l e s o l v e n t .

F u r t h e r , f o r t h i c k n e s s t e s t , the chromate

coating i n the t e s t l o c a t i o n s h a l l be removed immediately before

t e s t by a s u i t a b l e method of rubbing w i t h paste of magnesium oxide
or p r e c i p i t a t e d calcium carbonate.

The

t e s t specimen s h a l l then

be r i n s e d and allowed to dry.

Note ( 2 ) : P a i n t coatings and so f o r t h , i f so a p p l i e d , s h a l l be
p e r f e c t l y removed before t e s t .
5.2

P l a t i n g Thickness Test
Use microscopio t e s t , as a r u l e , f o r t h i c k n e s s t e s t .

E i t h e r of

magnetic t e s t , coulometric t e s t , and dropping t e s t may be used under

agreement between the p a r t i e s .
5.2.1 Microscopic Thickness Test
Prepare a cross s e c t i o n perpendicular to the p l a t i n g surface to be
(3)
measured,
Polish
the cross s e c t i o n and measure the p l a t i n g
thickness by a microscope.
In order to make the boundary of
(4)
the p l a t i n g l a y e r easy to see, i t i s recommended to etch
adequately f o r o b s e r v a t i o n .
Note ( 3 ) : Sag of p l a t i n g layer makes l a r g e e r r o r s i n measurement,
therefore i t i s recommended to s e f ' t h e t e s t specimen i n t o
a support block or plstic f o r p o l i s h i n g .
(A): Use a chromate treatment s o l u t i o n of adequate concentrat i o n or a s o l u t i o n of 95 m water and 5 m concentrated
hydrochloric acid.

1 A I I U A R U

5.2.2 Magnetic Thickness Test

Use a magnetic t h i c k n e s s t e s t e r c a l i b r a t e d by standard test s p e c i mens of known p l a t i n g thickness.

Measurement s h a l l be conducted

at l e a s t three times per one l o c a t i o n on the s i g n i f i c a n t surface.

The average s h a l l be considered as the r e s u l t .
5.2.3 Coulometric Thickness Test
Measure i n accordance w i t h Appendix 1 to JIS H 8610

(Electroplated

Coatings of Zinc on Iron and S t e e l ) .

5.2.4 Dropping Test
Measure i n accordance w i t h Appendix 2 to J I S H 8610.
5.3

S a l t Spray Test
Conduct t e s t i n accordance w i t h Appendix 3 to J I S H 8610.
Use t e s t specimens at l e a s t 24 hr a f t e r chromate treatment.

5.4

Bend Test
Bend a t e s t specimen 25 mm wide, 100 mm l o n g , 1.0 mm t h i c k through
an angle of 180 i n accordance w i t h JIS Z 2248 (Method of Bend Test
for M e t a l l i c Materials).
Designation
(1) P l a t i n g s s h a l l be designated w i t h the symbols i n Table 1 as follows
Example: MFZn8-B
(2) Removal of hydrogen embrittlement, i f so r e q u i r e d , s h a l l be
designated w i t h "-H" f o l l o w i n g the end of symbols as shown above.
Example: MFZn8-B-H

'

'