3.1 Electroplated metals are used on titanium to enhance and improve its surface characteristics, such as, but not limited to; hardness, anti-galling, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Effectively preparing titanium surfaces prior to metal plating is especially challenging due to the tenacity of titanium’s oxide film. Proper surface preparation is critical to activating titanium and achieving optimum plating results and coating performance.

3.2 This practice outlines surface preparation procedures required to produce satisfactory coatings on titanium alloys.

This practice describes preparation processes of titanium and titanium alloys to produce adherent electrodeposits of good quality by electroplating. Not all of the processes that have been reported as successful are described, but rather three basic ones that have had the widest use. The purity of reagents and water that shall be used in each process are given. The three processes consist of (1) cleaning by conventional methods such as vapor degreasing, alkaline cleaning, grinding, or blasting, and (2) activating. The first process involves activation by chemical etching which shall be done in the following order of procedure: pickling, rinsing, etching, rinsing, electroplating, and heat treatment. The second process involves activation by electrochemical etching which shall be done by the same procedure as the first process, without the heat treatment step. The third process involves activation by liquid abrasive blasting which shall be done in the following order of procedure: blasting, electroplating, and heat treatment.

1.1 This practice describes processes that have been found to be successful in producing adherent electrodeposits of good quality on titanium and certain titanium alloys. Not all of the processes that have been reported as successful are described, but rather three basic ones that have had the widest use. A rather complete listing of the published work on electroplating on titanium is given in the list of references which appear at the end of this practice.

1.2 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific hazard statement, see 4.1.

1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.