ISO 4042 Specification provides requirements for electroplated coatings and coating systems on steel fasteners. The requirements related to dimensional properties also apply to fasteners made of copper or copper alloys.
It also specifies requirements and gives recommendations to minimize the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.
It mainly applies to zinc and zinc alloy coating systems (zinc, zinc-nickel, zinc-iron) and cadmium, primarily intended for corrosion protection and other functional properties:
| Element | Description | Symbol | Typical aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis metal | Steel | ||
| Metal layer(s) | Zinc | Zn | – |
| Zinc-nickel | ZnNi | – | |
| Zinc-iron | ZnFe | – | |
| Conversion coating (passivation) | Transparent | An | Transparent, clear to b lu ishc |
| Iridescent | Cn | Transparent, clear to iridescent | |
| Black | Fn | Black, dark iridescent permitted | |
| Yellow | Gn | Yellow to yellow iridescent | |
| No conversion coating | U | No conversion coating | |
| Sealant/top coat | Sealant (see also A.1.3) | T2 | Sealant shall be applied, it may be with or without integral lubricant c . |
| Top coat | T7 | A top coat shall be applied. Top coat is o ften used to achieve particular characteristics, e.g. chemical resistance, colour. Top coat may be with or without integral lubricant c . | |
| No sealant, no top coat | T0 | Sealant and top coat shall not be applied for a certain application(e.g. for adherence, conductivity, electric contact, welding). | |
| No lubricant | nL | Integral lubricant shall not be present (this code shall be addedto T2 or T7, as relevant). | |
| Additional lubricant | Subsequently added lubricant | T4 | Lubricant or wax shall be applied. Lubricant can be applied directly on the metal layer, or on thepassivation, or on a sealant, or on a top coat c . |
| |||
| Zinc based coating system | Code | Minimum neutral salt spray test duration for barrel coatinga hours | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No coating metal corrosion (white corrosion) | No basis metal corrosion (red rust) | ||||
| Coating thickness | |||||
| 5 µm | 8 µm | 12 µm | |||
| Zn, transparent passivatedb | Zn//An/T0 | 8 | 48 | 72 | 96 |
| Zn, iridescent passivatedb | Zn//Cn/T0 | 72 | 120 | 192 | 240 |
| Zn, iridescent passivated, sealedb | Zn//Cn/T2 | 120 | 168 | 240 | 288 |
| Zn, black passivated, sealed | Zn//Fn/T2 | 24c | 72 | 144 | 192 |
| ZnFe, iridescent passivatedb | ZnFe//Cn/T0 | 96 | 144 | 216 | 264 |
| ZnFe, iridescent passivated, sealedb | ZnFe//Cn/T2 | 120 | 216 | 288 | 360 |
| ZnFe, black passivated, sealed | ZnFe//Fn/T2 | 96c | 192 | 240 | 312 |
| ZnNi, silver grey, passivated | ZnNi//Cn/T0 | 120 | 480 | 720 | 720d |
| ZnNi, silver grey passivated, sealed | ZnNi//Cn/T2 | 168 | 600 | 720 | 720d |
| ZnNi, black passivated | ZnNi//Fn/T0 | 48c | 360 | 600 | 720d |
| ZnNi, black passivated, sealed | ZnNi//Fn/T2 | 120c | 480 | 720 | 720d |
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Before coating, parts shall comply with the relevant International Standards if applicable or other standards as specified, except where threads or other features are specifically manufactured to allow, for functional reasons, the application of thicker coatings than are possible on normal threads.
Coating thicknesses which can be applied on ISO metric threads in accordance with ISO 965-1, ISO 965-2 and ISO 965-3 depend on the fundamental deviation available, which itself depends on the screw thread and the following tolerance positions:
The tolerance positions apply prior to application of the electroplated coating.
When the core or surface hardness is above 320 HV, process investigation shall be conducted using a test to detect hydrogen embrittlement, for example the “Parallel bearing surface method” in accordance with ISO 15330, to be sure that the process with regard to embrittlement is under control. If embrittlement is discovered, modification of the manufacturing process will be necessary, such as the inclusion of a baking process (see informative annex A for more information).
For fasteners of hardness in excess of 365 HV, a written agreement should exist between the customer and manufacturer to define how to manage the risk. If written agreement does not exist, the manufacturer shall process the parts in accordance with his recommended practices to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.
Complete elimination of hydrogen embrittlement cannot be assured. If a reduced probability of encountering hydrogen embrittlement is desired, alternative procedures should be evaluated.
NOTE : Investigations are proceeding to develop methods for the reduction of hydrogen embrittlement. In cases of parts
| Nominal coating thickness | Effective coating thickness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local a min. | Batch averageb | ||
| min. | max. | ||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 |
| 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 |
| 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 |
| 20 | 20 | 18 | 23 |
| 25 | 25 | 23 | 28 |
| 30 | 30 | 27 | 35 |
The local and batch average thicknesses corresponding to the nominal coating thicknesses recommended in the relevant International Standards for electroplating are given in Table below.
In order to reduce the risk of interference on assembly of threads with electroplated coatings, the coating thickness shall not exceed one-quarter of the fundamental deviation of the thread. These values are specified in .
NOTE : For accommodation of thick coatings guidance is given in informative annex C.
The effective coating thicknesses measured according to one of the methods specified in clause 10 shall comply with the values specified in Table below