Deposition of electroless nickel onto SuperHERO mandrels

SuperHERO Mandrels Electroless Nickel (EN) Coating SOW Description The information provided below is for the plating of optical grazing angle mandrels using an EN process. The contractor shall EN coat 6 mandrel pieces (SHERO-M1-X-105, SHERO-M2-X-105) and 8 coupons (SHERO-MX-CX-003) to meet the following requirements and quality inspections. NASA MSFC will provide the contractor with the aluminum plating caps, SS fasteners, and fixturing hardware for each mandrel and endcap. Drawings SHERO-M1-X-105 SHERO-M1-L-105 (qty. 1) SHERO-M1-C-105 (qty. 1) SHERO-M1-S-105 (qty. 1) SHERO-M2-X-105 SHERO-M2-L-105 (qty. 1) SHERO-M2-C-105 (qty. 1) SHERO-M2-S-105 (qty. 1) SHERO-MX-CX-003 (Qty. 8) Contractor The contractor shall use the following process or provide documentation, samples, and test results supporting an alternative method. The following process is to be used on the mandrels/coupons. 1. Solvent preclean (if necessary).1 2. Alkaline soak clean.1 3. Etch (can be acidic or basic).1 4. Double zincate coating.1 5. Strike coating can be either of the following: a. Electrolytic nickel strike for electroless nickel applications b. Electroless nickel strike 6. Final optical grade electroless nickel deposit must be free of pits/voids. 7. Minimum 11% phosphorus by weight electroless nickel phosphorus plating. 8. Uniform thickness of 0.008 +0.003/-.000 inches onto the mandrels/coupons. 9. Connection points need not be coated. Plug blind holes or exposed threads with stop off coating to allow disassembly after plating. 10. Post heat treatment for age hardened aluminum alloys, per ASTM B733 Class 4 – Heat treatment at 230±10°F (104- 116°C) for four hours2. Heat treatment temperature shall not exceed 240°F. Provide NASA MSFC with time and temperature chart for heat treatment of each batch. 11. Perform deposit hardness testing on coupon, and report hardness values for each coupon, using Rockwell C scale, to NASA MSFC. All measurements must be performed on the back face of coupon (the side with identification number). Range: 45-52 Rockwell C. Government inspection and control The following testing to be performed at MSFC: 1. It is recommended the deposit be free of pits/voids visible at 1000X or by scanning electron microscope. 2. Inspect mandrel with 1-2 million candlepower light. Record any visible pitting. -- 1 of 2 -- Referenced Documents: 1. Mallory, Glenn O. and Juan B. Hajdu, eds. Electroless Plating: Fundamentals and Applications. Orlando: American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, 1990. 2. ASTM B733-04 Standard Specification for Autocatalytic (Electroless) Nickel-Phosphorus Coatings on Metal. 05/06/2026 -- 2 of 2 --