AMS 2403
Plating, Nickel, General Purpose
Covers engineering requirements for electrodeposition of general-purpose nickel and properties of the deposit.
What AMS 2403 specifies
AMS 2403 specifies general-purpose electrodeposited nickel used for moderate corrosion or oxidation resistance and dimensional buildup without controlling specialized deposit characteristics. It has no formal type, class, or grade structure. The drawing must state nickel thickness; when only 'nickel flash' is specified, the intended thickness is approximately 0.0001 in, or 2.54 µm. Thickness is measured by an approved ASTM method. The process includes substrate preparation, stress relief where applicable, plating quality, adhesion, and hydrogen-embrittlement relief for susceptible steel. If the design requires controlled hard nickel or low-stress nickel, a specialized AMS should be used instead of relying on AMS 2403.
AMS 2403 types and classes
Every designation the document defines, with the thickness it requires and the tests it imposes.
| Designation | Meaning | Thickness | Requirement / test |
|---|---|---|---|
Drawing-specified thickness | General-purpose electrodeposited nickel; no built-in class or grade. | — | Drawing-specified thickness, adhesion, quality, and applicable hydrogen-embrittlement control. |
Nickel flash | Thin nickel deposit when the order states nickel flash. | 3 µm 0.1 mil | Approximate 0.0001 in thickness and complete specified coverage. |
Tests and the drawing call-out
Tests the document imposes
- Thickness by ASTM B487, B499, B504, B568, E376, or purchaser-approved method
- Adhesion
- Visual quality and coverage
- Pre-plate stress relief and post-plate hydrogen-embrittlement relief where applicable
How to cite it
Drawing call-out
NICKEL PLATE PER AMS 2403, <THICKNESS OR NICKEL FLASH>, [FINAL DIMENSIONS], [HYDROGEN-RELIEF REQUIREMENT], [MASKING]Angle brackets mark the choices the drawing must make; every finish page shows a completed example.
AMS 2403 — frequently asked
What thickness does AMS 2403 require?
AMS 2403 does not provide a general class table. The drawing or order must state thickness; 'nickel flash' means approximately 0.0001 in, or 2.54 µm.
Is AMS 2403 hard nickel?
No. It is general-purpose nickel without control of specialized deposit characteristics. AMS 2423 is used when a hard nickel deposit is required.
Can AMS 2403 be used for dimensional buildup?
Yes, but the drawing must define plating allowance, final thickness, and any post-plate machining or grinding.
AMS 2403 is copyrighted by SAE International. This page explains the document so a drawing can be read; it does not reproduce the standard. Purchase the current edition from the publisher. Official source ↗