Aluminum Plating Per MIL-DTL-83488 and MIL-C-83488

High Purity Aluminum Exceeds Corrosion Requirements of MIL-DTL-83488

AlumiPlate® Aluminum is the best performing high purity aluminum coating that complies with MIL-DTL-83488, a superior alternative to IVD aluminum coating.

MIL-DTL-83488Specification RequirementElectroplated Aluminum
Purity>99.0% Aluminum>99.99% Aluminum
Corrosion Resistance ASTM B117 168 to 672 hoursASTM B117 366+ to 1344+ hours
ThicknessMinimum thickness based on ClassThickness verified with ASTM tests based on substrate
Adhesion Passes scrape and rupture test Passes scrape, rupture test and other tests per ASTM B571
WorkmanshipSmooth, fine grained, uniform finishFinish verified through visual and low power examination

Pure aluminum coatings are used for aerospace, marine, offshore, oil-and-gas and many other industrial applications to combat corrosion of steel alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys and titanium alloys.

MIL-DTL-83488 is the governing specification for aluminum coatings greater than 99.0% pure. The specification lists thickness classifications as well as minimum purity, corrosion, adhesion and workmanship requirements.

Aluminum electrodeposition, more commonly known as electroplating, is specifically recognized as a compliant process that yields a pure aluminum coating (Paragraph 6.1 of the specification).

AlumiPlate Inc. can certify compliance to the latest revision of MIL-DTL-83488 (Detail Specification, Coating, Aluminum, High Purity).

Classification — Aluminum Plating Thickness MIL-DTL-83488

Electroplated aluminum can be deposited to meet requirements for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 MIL-DTL-83488 coatings.

  • Class: 1 0.001” minimum
  • Class: 2 0.0005” minimum
  • Class: 3 0.0003” minimum

Type — Supplementary Coating Treatment MIL-DTL-83488

Conversion coatings that meet the latest revision of MIL-DTL-5541 (Chemical Conversion Coatings on Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys) can be applied to plated aluminum. Hexavalent chromate and RoHS/REACH/WEEE compliant trivalent chromate and non-chromate conversion coatings are available.

  • Type I — as-plated (no conversion coat)
  • Type II — supplementary chromate treatment

Purity — 99% Pure Aluminum Compositional Requirement MIL-DTL-83488

The high purity AlumiPlate aluminum coating is typically more than 99.99% pure, greatly exceeding the specification requirements of 99.0% pure aluminum. Purity analysis is confirmed with periodic Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry (GDMS) testing. GDMS testing is a trusted quantitative technique to identify constituents to minute levels. Follow this link for representative GDMS results for AlumiPlate® aluminum.

Corrosion Resistance — ASTM B117 Salt Fog Testing MIL-DTL-83488

Electroplated aluminum easily meets minimum corrosion requirements per ASTM B117 (Operating Salt Fog Apparatus). This accelerated corrosion test measures the corrosion resistance provided by pure aluminum coatings on AISI 4130 Steel coupons. Aluminum electroplated components can be expected to last at least twice the required number of hours in salt fog testing.

AlumiPlate Inc. operates its own ASTM B117 compliant salt fog chamber on a continuous basis to confirm the outstanding corrosion resistance of pure electroplated aluminum.

Contact us if you would like to schedule a custom salt fog corrosion test for your application or component.

Thickness Verification — Aluminum Plating Requirements MIL-DTL-83488

Plating thickness is the critical parameter for corrosion performance of pure aluminum coatings. Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 classification correlates minimum aluminum plating thickness with the minimum expected corrosion resistance in ASTM B117 salt fog testing.

As stipulated by MIL-DTL-83488, AlumiPlate Inc. corroborates the minimum plating thickness through eddy current, beta backscatter (ASTM B567), micrometer, microscopic (ASTM B487), and magnetic testing (ASTM B499). The proper test is selected according to the substrate material. For example, magnetic testing is suitable for ferrous alloys.

Additional thickness tests can be used to measure the plating on critical surfaces and dimensions.

Adhesion — Adherence Requirements MIL-DTL-83488

Excellent adhesion ensures that the aluminum coating will permanently protect the plated part. MIL-DTL-833488 mandates no separation, flaking, peeling or blistering between the coating and the substrate.

In addition to the mandated scrape and strip rupture adhesion tests, additional destructive and non-destructive adhesion tests are performed per ASTM B571 (Standard Practice for Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings).

Workmanship — Visual Appearance Requirements MIL-DTL-83488

The requisite finish for aluminum coatings is a smooth, fine-grained, adherent and uniform appearance, free from staining and without indications of contamination, or an excessively powdery or darkened appearance.

Aluminum plated parts are 100% examined visually and sampled under low power magnification (4X to 25X) to meet the exacting workmanship requirements of the specification.

Contact us by phone call or email to learn more about pure aluminum platings per MIL-DTL-83488 or to assist you with your aluminum coating and certification needs.

We Are Here To Help With Your Needs!

Contact us for more information or to discuss your application in more detail.

Contact Us