AMS-2418 specs
Copper Electroplating
What is AMS 2418 | Copper Electroplating?
When working with our clients in the Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing industries there is no margin for error. To ensure that all of their partners are complying with aerospace standards, industry officials will create specs for their partners to follow.
AMS 2418 is the Aerospace industry standard spec for copper electroplating. The specification includes two types (Type I and Type II).
Benefits of AMS 2418 Copper Electroplating
- UV Resistance
- Corrosion Resistance
- Abrasion Resistance
- Conductivity
- Lubricity
- Malleability
- And more!
Plating Specs AMS 2418
Purchase order shall specify not less than the following
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AMS2418J
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Plating thickness (see 3.4.1)
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Basis metal to be plated
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Tensile strength or hardness of the basis metal
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Pre-plate stress relief to be performed by plating processor (time and temperature) if different from 3.1.2
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Special features, geometry or processing present on parts that requires special attention by the plating processor
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Hydrogen embrittlement relief to be performed by plating processor (parameters or reference document) if different from 3.3.1
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Minimum thickness on internal surfaces, if required (see 3.4.1.4)
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Solderability testing, if required (see 3.4.5)
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Quantity of pieces to be plated
Classification
- Type I – Engineering Plating, 0.0005 to 0.0007 inch (13 to 18 micrometers), tolerance of +0.0002 inch (+5 micrometers)
- Type II – (standard) Plating for masking, nominally 0.002 inch (51 micrometers)
- (copper flash) – thickness of copper shall be .0001 inch (2.5 micrometers) minimum
Type 1 shall be supplied if no class is specified.
Stress Relief Treatment
All steel parts having a hardness of 40 HRC and above and that are machined, ground, cold formed, or cold straightened after heat treatment shall be cleaned to remove surface contamination and thermally stress relieved before plating. Unless otherwise specified, the following treatment temperatures and times shall be used:
For parts, excluding nitrided parts, having a hardness of 55 HRC and above, and for carburized and induction hardened parts, stress relieve at 275 °F ± 25 °F (135 °C ± 14 °C) for 5 to 10 hours.
For parts having a hardness less than 55 HRC, and for nitrided parts, stress relieve at 375 °F ± 25 °F (191 °C ± 14 °C) for a minimum of 4 hours. Higher temperatures shall be used only when specified or approved by the cognizant engineering organization.
For Peened Parts
If stress relief temperatures above 375 °F (191 °C) are elected, the stress relieve shall be performed prior to peening or AOTCO shall be consulted and must approve the stress relief temperature.
For steel parts 40 HRC and over, contact time with surface activation acids such as hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and sulfuric acids shall be minimized so as not to produce hydrogen embrittlement (see 8.5).
Aluminum alloys shall be zincate or stannate treated in accordance with ASTM B253 or other method acceptable to AOTCO prior to plating.
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Services & Capabilities

Electroplating
Electroplating
Electroplating is a process by which one metal is deposited onto a base metal (substrate). These deposited metals offer a variety of benefits including thermal and electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance and more. AOTCO electroplates a wide variety of both standard and exotic metals.
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Anodizing
Anodizing
Sometimes called a “conversion coating” Anodizing is an electrolytic process in which an oxide (anodic) layer is chemically built on the surface of the substrate material, providing anti-corrosion and other benefits. AOTCO offers, Type I, Type 2, Type 3 and Titanium anodizing services.
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Passivation
Passivation
Passivation is a term for a variety if processes that make a metal (most commonly stainless steel) or other substance unreactive, or passive, by altering the surface layer or coating the surface with a thin inert layer. AOTCO performs both citric and black oxide passivation techniques to a range of specifications.
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Plating Substrates
Plating Substrates
AOTCO plates on a wide variety of Common, Exotic and Non-Metallic substrates, bringing exceptional expertise to magnesium, titanium, beryllium, BeCu, TeCu, tungsten and more. In some cases we pass as high as 450 degrees celsius, allowing for high temperature soldering, brazing, or post machining operations after plating.
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Pre- & Post-Process Treatments
Pre- & Post-Process Treatments
Pre-Process: In addition to offering both mechanical & chemical cleaning options, AOTCO specializes in creating solutions for complicated, difficult and tight-tolerance masking challenges. Post-Process: For clients with specialized needs AOTCO offers laser marking and engraving options, including color change caused by chemical or molecular changes, charring, foaming, melting, ablation, and more.
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Dedicated Outsourced Finishing
Dedicated Outsourced Finishing
Part of our cornerstone goal of building long-term, collaborative & solution-oriented partnerships, AOTCO will devote reserved physical and human resource capacity for our clients with long-term finishing and deadline requirements. For these partnerships our commitment is that AOTCO manages the process, while YOU control the results.
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