(1)Appearance

The appearance of decorative electroplating on plastics must be free from detrimental flaws that could affect the usage, including uneven luster or color, tarnishes, spots, swelling, scratches, pits, peeling, cracks, and exposure of substrates or base-coat plating.

(2)Number of micropores and microcracks on chromium plating (Cr mp, Cr mc)

The number of pores and cracks on microporous/microcracked chromium plating is as follows:

They are counted by applying copper sulfate plating over the chromium plating surface and enlarging the distribution pattern of copper deposited over the plating surface.

(3)Cold temperature cycle test

This is a stress test designed to measure the adhesiveness of plating using the difference of thermal expansion rates between plastic substrates and plating films.[Table 1] shows the test conditions.The samples are exposed at certain temperatures for specified time in the controlled test equipment.Here is an example.
-20℃(1h)→20℃(0.5h)→80℃(1h)→20℃(0.5h)
After this testing, the plating should be free from notable defects, including swelling, peeling, cracks, deformation, and so on.

[Table 1] Cold temperature cycle test

(4)Corrosion resistance test

In addition to CASS test, Corrodkote test, and neutral salt spray testing, the following two corrosion resistance measurements are available for this type of plating: 1. Nitric acid aeration test where samples are exposed in nitric acid vapor; 2. High-temperature and humidity testing where samples are exposed in the high-temperature and high-humidity environment (temperature of 50±2℃ and relative humidity of 95±5%) to evaluate the plating's corrosion resistance.
[Table 2] shows the testing hours of the first three testing methods.

[Table 2] Corrosion resistance test hours