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MARYLAND METRICS: Technical Data Chart

STANDARD PLATINGS: SURFACE COATINGS
ISO : 4042 (EN ISO 4042) Electroplated coatings
DIN : 267 Part 9

Electroplated coatings/Rivestimenti elettrolitici/Revêtement électrolytiques/
Revestimientos electrolìticos/Elektrolytische Überzüge

Code system/Sistema di codifica/Systême de codification/sistema de codificaciòn/Kodifizierungssystem

1. Scope and field of application
These technical conditions are in particular related to threaded fasteners (mainly bolts and nuts), but are also applicable
to the whole range of mechanical fasteners.

2. Electroplated coatings
An electrolytically applied coating shall be defined as a protective metallic layer being deposited onto the surface of metal articles by immersing these parts in an aqueous solution through which an electrical current is passed.

Note: The use of the nomenclature “galvanizing” for this treatment is not correct.
This information on electroplated coatings corresponds with DIN 267 Part 9 and ISO 4042.

3. Code system
The electroplated coatings of mechanical fasteners are designated by a code consisting of a combination of two capital letters and a number.
This callout system is built up as follows:
– a capital letter for the coating metal (Table 1)
– a number for the minimum layer thickness (coating structure) (Table 2)
– a capital letter for the degree of gloss and after-treatment (Table 3)

  Table 1. Coating metal       Table 2. Minimum layer thickness (coating structure)  
  Code       Layer thickness (coating structure) in µm    
  letter Coating metal Symbol Code number 1 coating metal 2 coating metals  
  A Zinc Zn 0 1)  
  B Cadmium Cd 1 3  
  C Copper Cu 2 5 2+ 3  
  D Brass CuZn 3 8 3+ 5  
  E Nickel Ni 4 12 4+ 8  
  F Nickel-chrome 1) NiCr 5 15 5+10  
  G Copper-nickel CuNi 6 20 8+12  
  H Copper-nickel-chrome 1) CuNiCr 7 2) 25 10+15  
  J Tin Sn 8 2) 32 12+18
  K Copper-tin CuSn 9 2) 40 16+24 3)
  L Silver Ag 1) Code number 0 applies to screw threads below
  N Copper-silver CuAg   M 1.6, where no specific layer thickness can be specified.
  P Zinc-Nickel 3) ZnNi   2) Does not apply to threaded components.
  Q Zinc-Cobalt 3) ZnCo   3) Not in ISO 4042 
  R Zinc-iron 3) ZnFe    
  1) Thickness of chrome layer 0,3 µm    
  3) Not in ISO 4042    

  Table 3. Degree of gloss and after-treatment    
  Codeletter Degree of gloss Chromating in accordance with DIN 50 941 Process group Self-color of chromate layer passivation by chromate  
  A mt (dull) (mat) none 1) none  
  B mt (dull) (mat) B bluish to bluish iridescent 2)  
  C mt (dull) (mat) C yellowish glistening to yellowish-brown,iridescent  
  D mt (dull) (mat) D olive green to olive brown  
  E bk (bright) none 1) none  
  F bk (bright) B bluish to bluish iridescent 2)  
  G bk (bright) C yellowish glistening to yellowish-brown,iridescent  
  H bk (bright) D olive green to olive brown  
  J gl (glossy) none 1) none  
  K gl (glossy) B bluish to bluish iridescent 2)  
  L gl (glossy) C yellowish glistening to yellowish-brown,iridescent  
  M gl (glossy) D olive green to olive brown  
  N hgl (high gloss) none  
  P bel (optional) B, C or D 3) at manufacturer's discretion as for process group B, C or D  
  R mt (dull) (mat) F brownish black to black  
  S bk (bright) F brownish black to black  
  T gl (glossy) F brownish black to black  
  U all finishes   no chromate treatment  
  1) In the case of Zn and Cd   3) Process groups B, C or D in accordance with DIN 50 941 only apply to    
  however, process group A   cadmium and zinc coatings. In the case of other electroplated coatings, "P"    
  2) Only applies to Zn coatings   in the code symbol signifies "degree of gloss optional".    

  Ordering code for electroplated coatings for commercial fasteners        
              Copper  
  Coating   Zinc-chromated   Nickel nickel  
    Degree of gloss Glossy Glossy Glossy Glossy Glossy Glossy  
  Nominal size Nominal size Color Color Color Color      
  metric inch none bluish yellowish black
  < 5 mm < 3/16 " A1J A1K A1L A1T E1J G2J  
  5 < 10 mm 3/16" < 3/8 " A2J A2K A2L A2T E2J G2J
  > 10 mm > 3/8 " A3J A3K A3L A3T E3J G3J


Example of coding: A3L means zinc-plating (A in Table 1) with a minimum layer thickness of 8 µm
(3 in Table 2) and yellow-chromated with a glossy degree of gloss (L in Table 3).
Callout Example: Hexagon bolt DIN 931 - M12 x 50 - 8.8 - A3L.

Chromate (passivate) effected immediately after electroplating by short immersing in chromic acid
solutions. The chromating process increases the corrosion protection and prevents a starting and
a discolouring of the zinc layer. The protective effect of the chromate layer is different depending
upon group of procedures (see table).

Click for: (Ref. ISO 4092) Plating thicknesses for threaded metric fasteners


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