This practice provides an aid for setting up a suitable cleaning cycle preparatory to electroplating of low-carbon steel and indicates some of the precautions that must be taken to maintain this cycle in good operating condition. The preparatory procedure involves three basic steps in the following order: (1) removal of oils, grease, and caked-on dirt; (2) removal of scale and oxide films by pickling; and (3) removal of any smut left on the surface and activation of the steel. The cleaning of racked parts, which shall subsequently be electroplated in still tanks, agitated tanks, and semi- and full-automatic equipment, should be performed following this cycle: (1) precleaning; (2) electrocleaning; (3) water rinse; (4) acid pickling; (5) alkaline descaling; and (6) water rinse. Parts in bulk, which shall subsequently be electroplated in hand-operated or automatic barrels, should follow this cleaning cycle: (1) alkaline cleaning; (2) water rinse; (3) acid pickling; and (4) water rinse.

1.1 This practice is intended as an aid to electroplaters in setting up a suitable cleaning cycle preparatory to electroplating of low-carbon steel (Note 0) containing less than 0.35 mass % of carbon and to indicate some of the precautions that must be taken to maintain this cycle in good operating condition. Note 0The preparation of high-carbon steel for electroplating is covered in Practice B 242.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.