ENGINEERING MATERIAL SPECIFICATION
PLATING, ELECTROLYTIC ZINC-NICKEL, PASSIVATE WSS-M1P87-B1
PLATING, ELECTROLYTIC ZINC-NICKEL, PASSIVATE, WSS-M1P87-B2
ORGANIC SEALANT
PLATING, ELECTROLYTIC ZINC-NICKEL, PASSIVATE, WSS-M1P87-B3
ORGANIC SEALANT, BLACK
PLATING, ELECTROLYTIC ZINC-NICKEL, PASSIVATE, WSS-M1P87-B4
INORGANIC SEALANT
PLATING, ELECTROLYTIC ZINC-NICKEL, PASSIVATE, WSS-M1P87-B5
INORGANIC SEALANT, BLACK
1. SCOPE
These specifications define performance requirements for electrolytically plated, passivated zinc-nickel
coatings on ferrous parts (stampings, forgings, castings, etc.), some of which additionally have a topcoat
sealant.
2. APPLICATION
These specifications were originally released to define performance requirements for electrolytically plated
zinc-nickel coatings where corrosion protection and/or decorative appearance of ferrous surfaces is required.
Parts may be rack or barrel plated. Plating bath chemistry (acid or alkaline) should be chosen for best
performance in the application.
A supplementary passivation treatment, either trivalent chromium or chromium-free, shall be applied to zinc-
nickel plated parts to retard the formation of white corrosion products. A thin film passivate will preserve the
silver color of the plating or impart a slight blue tint. Thick film passivates give the plating an iridescent or
colored appearance.
Sealants are applied to extend the corrosion protection of the plated part. Inorganic sealants generally resist
heat and degradation due to automotive fluids better than organic sealants.
WSS-M1P87-B1 is suitable for underbody or underhood applications which receive minimal road spray, or
where parts will subsequently be painted.
WSS-M1P87-B2 and –B3, which include an organic sealer, are suitable for underbody or underhood
applications where additional corrosion protection is required, and are recommended for use at service
temperatures of 150 °C maximum.
WSS-M1P87-B4 and –B5, which include an inorganic sealer, are suitable for underbody or underhood
applications where exposure to heat or incidental exposure to automotive fluids is anticipated, and are
recommended for use at service temperatures of 250 °C maximum.
3. REQUIREMENTS
3.1 STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCTION MATERIALS
Material suppliers and part producers must conform to the Company's Standard Requirements For
Production Materials (WSS-M99P1111-A).
3.2 THICKNESS 8 – 14 micrometers
(ASTM B659 / ASTM B568 / ASTM B487)
Date Action Revisions Rev 00
2013 07 18 Released G. Weber, FNA
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ENGINEERING MATERIAL SPECIFICATION
WSS-M1P87-B1/B5
The thickness of the electroplated zinc-nickel layer shall meet the requirements stated above on all
significant surfaces (as defined in section 4.1) unless otherwise specified on the Engineering
Drawing. In case of dispute, the thickness measurement umpire method shall be metallographic
sectioning per ASTM B 487.
The passivate and sealant layers are not subject to measurement, but shall be sufficient to meet the
Appearance and Laboratory Accelerated Corrosion Test requirements.
3.3 APPEARANCE
WSS-M1P87-B1: Parts may be blue-bright or show a slight iridescence. When dyes are used to
produce other colors, the color shall be stated on the Engineering Drawing.
WSS-M1P87-B2, B4: Parts naturally show a slight iridescence. When dyes are used to produce
other colors, the color shall be stated on the Engineering Drawing.
WSS-M1P87-B3, B5: Parts will be black.
3.4 COMPOSITION
(ASTM B568)
The zinc-nickel plating shall have a nickel content of 12 to 16 weight percent, with the balance
zinc. The plating shall be a uniform, homogeneous alloy of zinc and nickel throughout the
thickness of the deposit and across the high and low current densities of the part.
Chemical composition of the coating may be determined by any applicable test method. With
proper calibration, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy can be used to determine the coating
composition and thickness simultaneously. In case of dispute, atomic absorption (AA), directly-
coupled plasma (DCP) or inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy using known
standards shall be used as umpire methods.
Zinc-nickel alloy is the only deposit to be applied directly to the base. The use of a zinc strike is
not permitted.
3.5 PLATING ADHESION
(ASTM B 571)
The coating shall withstand normal handling, storage, and installation without flaking or peeling or
other loss of adhesion. Electroplate adhesion to the base metal shall conform to the requirements of
one of the following test methods per ASTM B 571 unless otherwise indicated on the Engineering
Drawing.
3.5.1 Grind-Saw Test
No lifting or peeling of the plating from the substrate is permitted following the grind-saw
test.
3.5.2 Burnishing Test
No blistering, lifting, or peeling of the plating from the substrate is permitted following the
burnishing test.
3.6 LABORATORY ACCELERATED CYCLIC CORROSION TESTING
(CETP 00.00-L-467)
Non-Ferrous Corrosion Ferrous Corrosion
WSS-M1P87-B1 0 Weeks 4 Weeks
WSS-M1P87-B2, B3, B4, B5 1 Weeks 6 Weeks
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ENGINEERING MATERIAL SPECIFICATION
WSS-M1P87-B1/B5
Testing shall be done on coated parts whenever possible (not panels). Parts for testing shall have
no visible non-ferrous corrosion products at the beginning of testing. Parts shall be tested in vehicle
orientation. Failure is constituted by evidence of corrosion products on surfaces directly visible in the
application on the vehicle, or rundown of corrosion products onto directly visible surfaces, at the
specified test interval. Evaluation shall be done without magnification at a normal reading distance.
Zinc-nickel plating may form a haze, known as "white blush" or "gray veil", early in the course of
corrosion testing and visible only when parts are dry. This haze is not voluminous, and is normal and
acceptable for parts produced to this specification, as long as the non-ferrous and ferrous corrosion
requirements are otherwise met.
3.6.1 Potential Assembly Damage
Assembly of components onto a vehicle can result in damage to the coating. Where
possible, assembly damage should be simulated prior to the start of corrosion testing.
Consult Ford Product or Materials Engineering for guidance.
3.6.2 Exceptions
Depending upon the location of the part on a vehicle, exceptions to this requirement may
apply for specific applications. Any exceptions are listed in Global Engineering Standard for
Total Vehicle Corrosion Resistance, 18-0040 (RQT-001101-002492), and illustrated in the
appended photo evaluation guide. Consult Ford Product or Materials Engineering for
guidance.
3.7 SEALANTS (WSS-M1P87-B2/B3/B4/B5)
When a sealant is applied to the passivated zinc-nickel plating, the sealant supplier name and
product name should be stated on the Engineering Drawing.
Example: Zinc Nickel Plating per WSS-M1P87-B2, Plating Co. Ultrasealer 101
3.8 EMBRITTLEMENT
Parts plated to this specification shall be free from the detrimental effects of hydrogen embrittlement
or other factors which result in part brittleness. All parts shall meet the requirements of WSS-
M99A3-A.
3.9 PROCESS CONTROL ITEMS
3.9.1 Plating Adhesion – Heat Quench Test
Heat quench testing may be used for process control but not for initial qualification to
this standard. Heat plated parts to 220 +/- 5°C for 30 +/- 5 minutes, then quench in
room temperature water. No blistering or peeling of the plating from the substrate is
permitted.
4. GENERAL INFORMATION
The information given below is provided for clarification and assistance in meeting the requirements of these
specifications. Contact gmfs@ford.com for questions concerning Engineering Material Specifications.
4.1 SIGNIFICANT SURFACES
Significant surfaces should be noted on the Engineering Drawing. If not noted there, significant
surfaces are generically defined as those surfaces of the finished part that:
• Are directly visible when the finished part is assembled in position.
• Can be a source of corrosion products directly visible, visible by reflection, or visible when they
run down the part or onto other parts.
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ENGINEERING MATERIAL SPECIFICATION
WSS-M1P87-B1/B5
• Can affect fit or function of the part.
Note: Small areas of ferrous corrosion may be allowed on sharp edges, corners, and recesses due
to reduced coverage of the electroplating. Recesses are generally defined as areas unreachable by
a 13 mm (0.5 inch) diameter sphere.
4.2 NEUTRAL SALT SPRAY CORROSION TESTING
(ASTM B 117)
Neutral salt spray (NSS) testing is not to be used to show conformance to this specification.
NSS testing is often used as a process control tool by plating applicators, and as such shall form
part of the Control Plan.
Non-Ferrous Corrosion Ferrous Corrosion
WSS-M1P87-B1 120 hours 600 hours
WSS-M1P87-B2, B3, B4, B5 240 hours 960 hours
Zinc-nickel plating may form a haze, known as "white blush" or "gray veil", early in the course of
corrosion testing and visible only when parts are dry. This haze is not voluminous, and is normal and
acceptable for parts produced to this specification, as long as the non-ferrous and ferrous corrosion
requirements are otherwise met.
4.3 RECOMMENDED TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGN VALIDATION, PRODUCTION
VALIDATION, AND SREA.
Coating performance is a function of material selection, surface preparation, and coating
application. For established coatings and coating lines, this may permit a reduced test schedule
to validate compliance to this specification. Use Table 1 below to determine the recommend test
plan depending on the situation.
This specification cannot prove out parts or coatings that involve changes in vehicle environment
such as increased stone chipping or increased temperature. These changes may require vehicle
testing, consult SDS/ARL requirements.
Part shape will play a significant role in the uniformity of the deposit and designs with deep
recesses or Faraday effects may have reduced performance without special auxiliary anodes or
shields.
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ENGINEERING MATERIAL SPECIFICATION
WSS-M1P87-B1/B5
TABLE 1 – RECOMMENDED TESTING REQUIREMENTS
New
Plating Established Plating System
System
New
All Applicator
Existing Applicator (Plating other Ford Parts)
Applicators (No Ford
History)
Switching
New Part Known
for a Systems on New
Existing Different Existing Part/Same Process
Test Requirement All Parts Part Application Part System Change
Example A Example B Example C Example D Example E Example F
3.2 Thickness X X X X X
3.4 Composition X X X X X
Contact
3.5 Adhesion X X X X X
Materials
3.6 Laboratory
1 1 1 Engineering
Accelerated X X X X X
Cyclic Corrosion
1
Potential use of surrogate data
Example A: A new plating system is developed by a finish supplier for automotive applications.
Example B: Applicator goes out of business. New applicator uses the same plating system, but it has never
plated parts for Ford.
Example C: Applicator is asked to plate parts for a different Tier 1 part supplier.
Example D: Tier 1 part supplier changes among plating systems. Both systems are widely used at Ford.
Example E: Applicator is plating the first run of PPAP parts for new model program on the plating line that
supports current model.
Example F: The level of testing is highly dependant on what is changing. Contact Fastener and/or Materials
Engineering.
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