61E

-Aerospace
Ar +=rnationa/Group
AEROSPACE AMS 2472F
MATERIAL Issued FEE 1965
SPEClFlCATlON Revised AUG 2007

Anodic Treatment of Aluminum Alloys

Sulfuric Acid Process, Dyed Coating

RATIONALE

This specification revision was issued as part of the SAE Five Year Review process

NOTICE

ORDERING INFORMATION: The following information shall be provided to the processor by the purchaser.

1) Purchase order shall specify not less than the following:

t AMS 2472F
Basis metal to be anodized
t Required color
t Special features, geometry or processing present on parts that requires special attention by the processor
t Quantity of pieces to be anodized

2) Parts manufacturing operations such as heat treating, forming, joining and media finishing can affect the condition
of the substrate and adversely affect the finished part. The sequencing of these types of operations should be
specified by the cognizant engineering organization or purchaser and is not controlled by this specification.

1. SCOPE

1.1 Purpose

This specification establishes the requirements for dyed anodic coatings on aluminum alloys

1.2 Application

This process has been used typically to increase corrosion resistance and to produce colored surfaces on aluminum alloy
parts, but usage is not limited to such applications.

1.2.1 AMS 2470 or AMS 2471 should be specified for coatings to be used as a base for paint or other organic finishes.
This process is not suitable for parts which contain joints or recesses in which the anodizing solutions may be
retained.

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: "Thisreport is pubiished by SAE to advance the state of technicai and engineering sciences. me use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and ns appiicabilty and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom. 1s the soie responsibility of the user"
SAE revlmg each technical repon at least everyfrve years at whim time n may be reamrmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invnes your winen comments and suggestions
CopyrightO2007 SAE lntemational
All "hht resewed. No panof this publication may be reproduced. stored in a retrieval system or transmmed, in any farm or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying. recording.
orothewnse. Wlfhoui the prior wtinen permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877406.7323 (inside USA and Canada)
Tel: 724.7764970 (outside USA)
Fax: 726776.0790
Email: CustomerServie~sae.org
SAE WEB ADDRESS: hhp:IIWWWSae.Org
SAE AMS 2472F -2-

1.3 Classification

This specification covers two types of coating classified as follows:

Class 1 - Coatings for Identification

Class 2 - Coatings for Decorative Purposes

When no class is specified, Class 1 shall be supplied.

1.4 Safety - Hazardous Materials

While the materials, methods, applications, and processes described or referenced in this specification may involve the
use of hazardous materials, this specification does not address the hazards which may be involved in such use. It is the
sole responsibility of the user to ensure familiarity with the safe and proper use of any hazardous materials and to take
necessary precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of all personnel involved.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

The issue of the following documents in effect on the date of the purchase order forms a part of this specification to the
extent specified herein. The supplier may work to a subsequent revision of a document unless a specific document issue
is specified. When the referenced document has been cancelled and no superseding document has been specified, the
last published issue of that document shall apply.

2.1 SAE Publications

Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside
USA and Canada) or 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.

AMS 2470 Anodic Treatment of Aluminum Alloys, Chromic Acid Process

AMS 2471 Anodic Treatment of Aluminum Alloys, Sulfuric Acid Process, Undyed Coating
AMS 2473 Chemical Film Treatment for Aluminum Alloys. General Purpose Coating
AMS 4037 Aluminum Alloy, Sheet and Plate, 4.4Cu - 1.5Mg - 0.60Mn, (2024; -T3 Flat Sheet. - T351 Plate).
Solution Heat Treated

2.2 ASTM Publications

Available from ASTM International. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700. West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
Tel: 610-832-9585, www,astm.org.

ASTM B 117 Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Testing Apparatus

ASTM B 137 Measurement of Mass of Coating on Anodically Coated Aluminum

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Solutions

3.1.1 Electrolyte shall be an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid of suitable concentration (8.2.2) maintained within ? 2 "F (+
1 "C) of the temperature approved in 4.4.3.

3.1.2 Dye shall be as required to produce the specified color.

3.1.3 Sealer shall be an aqueous solution of nickel acetate or cobalt acetate or other solution acceptable to the
cognizant engineering organization. See 8.2.3.
SAE AMS 2472F -3-

3.2 Preparation

I
3.2.1 Cleaning and Deoxidation

Parts shall have clean surfaces, free from water break, prior to immersion in the anodizing bath

3.2.2 Masking

Areas where anodizing is prohibited shall be masked

3.2.3 Tight electrical contact shall be maintained during the anodic treatment to prevent contact arcing (burning) of
parts, but small irregularities of coating at points of electrical contact are acceptable. For parts which are to be
anodized all over, locations shall be acceptable to the cognizant engineering organization. For parts which are not
to be anodized all over, locations shall be in areas on which coating is not required.

3.3 Procedure

3.3.1 Anodizing

The cleaned parts shall be made the anode(s) in the electrolyte contained in a chemical- resistant tank which may also
serve as the cathode. The processing shall be adjusted to obtain the required weight and quality of the coatings. The
*
anodizing current shall be maintained within 2 amperes per square foot (t 21.5 A/m ) of the nominal value. Alternatively.
the anodizing current shall be ramped up over a five minute, or other preselected period, to the desired final voltage and
maintained until the anodic coating reaches the desired thickness. After anodizing, parts shall be rinsed thoroughly in
water at ambient temperature.

3.3.2 Dyeing

Prior to sealing, parts shall be dyed to the specified color by immersing in a appropriate dye solution. The temperature of
the solution and the time of immersion shall be as necessary to produce the specified color. Parts shall then be rinsed in
clean water at ambient temperature.

3.3.3 Sealing

Parts shall be immersed in the sealer solution for a suitable time. See 82.11. After sealing, the parts shall be thoroughly
rinsed in clean water at ambient temperature, rinsed in clean hot water, and dried.

3.4 Properties

Coated parts shall conform to the following requirements:

3.4.1 Coating Weight

The coating weight (4.3.2.1) shall be determined in accordance with ASTM B 137 and shall comply with Table 1

TABLE 1 - COATING WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Class Coating Weight, mglsquare foot (g/m2)
1 600 ( 6.5)

2 (high copper content alloys*) 1400 (15)

'Wrought aluminum alloys of the 2000 series where copper is the major
alloying element and aluminum casting alloys with a nominal copper
content of 1% or higher.
SAE AMS 2472F -4-

3.4.1.1 If small parts, such as rivets or machine screws, are anodized in bulk in a container, the specified coating weight
shall apply to not less than 75% of the parts treated together, determined by random sampling, but in no case
shall any part show uncoated areas.

I
3.4.2 Corrosion Resistance

Panels (4.3.2.2) shall meet the following requirements, determined after exposure for not less than 336 hours to salt spray
corrosion test in accordance with ASTM B 117, except that significant surface shall be inclined 6 degrees from vertical.
The five test panels shall show not more than a total of 15 isolated pits none larger than 1132 inch in diameter, in a total of
150 sq inches (968 cmZ) of test area. Areas within 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of identification markings or of an edge or at
electrode contact marks shall not be included. Individual test specimens shall show no more than five isolated pits none
larger than 1/32 inch in a total of 30 sq. inches (194 cm2). See 8.3.1

3.5 Touch Up

Parts on which the anodic coating has been scratched or damaged superficially may be coated using AMS 2473 or other
method acceptable to the cognizant engineering organization. Touch up, unless otherwise specified, shall not exceed 0.5
inch (13 mm) in its longest dimension, except that scratches that are essentially one dimensional (less than 0.03 inch (0.8
mm) wide) may be reworked. The total reworked area shall not exceed 5% of the total surface area.

3.6 Quality

Anodic coating, as received by purchaser, shall be continuous, smooth, adherent, and uniform in appearance, and shall be
free from powdery areas, loose films, discontinuities such as breaks or scratches (except at contact points), or other
damage or imperfections detrimental to usage of the coating. Slight variations in color between cast and machined
surfaces, between welds and adjacent areas, due to grain size or grain flow variations, or due to variation in alloy
composition from lot to lot, are acceptable.

4. Q U A L I N ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

4.1 Responsibility for Inspection

The coating processor shall supply all samples for processor's tests and shall be responsible for the performance of all
required tests. Parts, if required for tests, shall be supplied by purchaser. The cognizant engineering organization reserves
the right to sample and to perform any confirmatory testing deemed necessary to ensure that processing conforms to
specified requirements.

4.2 Classification of Tests

4.2.1 Acceptance Tests

Quality (3.6) and color (3.3.2) are acceptance tests and shall be performed on parts, or samples representing parts when
permitted, from each lot.

4.2.2 Periodic Tests

Coating weight (3.4.1) and corrosion resistance (3.4.2) are periodic tests and shall be performed at least monthly unless
frequency of testing is specified by the cognizant engineering organization. Tests of cleaning and processing solutions are
periodic tests and shall be performed at a frequency established by the processor unless frequency of testing is specified
by the cognizant engineering organization. See 8.4 and 4.43,

4.2.3 Preproduction Tests

All property verification tests (section 3.4) are preproduction tests and shall be performed prior to or on the initial shipment
of processed parts to a purchaser and when the cognizant engineering organization requires confirmatory testing.

4.3 Sampling and testing shall be not less than the following: a lot shall be all parts of the same part number, processed
in a continuous series of operations (3.3.1 to 3.3.3, inclusive) in not longer than 24 consecutive hours, and
presented for processor's inspection at one time.
SAE AMS 2472F -5-
4.3.1 Acceptance tests

Test samples shall be randomly selected from the lot. The minimum number of samples shall be as shown in Table 2

TABLE 2 - Sampling for Acceptance Testing

1
Number of Parts 1 Quality 1
In ~ o t I
and coior
Upto 7 ~ IorI7*

Over 500 1 50
- ...mTm/p*
#

4.3.2 Periodic Tests

Sample quantity shall be selected at the discretion of the processor, unless othewise specified

4.3.2.1 Coating weight shall be determined on representative parts when size and shape permit accurate determination
of surface area. If parts are of such size and shape that surface area cannot be determined readily, coating
weight determinations shall be made on separate test panels 0.025 to 0.063 inch (0.64 to 1.60 mm) thick and
not less than 3 inches (76 mm) square fabricated from 2024 aluminum alloy in accordance with AMS 4037.

4.3.2.1.I Separate test panels, if used, shall be processed with the work they represent

I
4.3.2.2 Corrosion resistance shall be determined on five separate test panels 0.025 to 0.063 inch (0.64 to 1.60 mm)
thick and not less than 3 x 10 inches (76 x 254 mm) in width and length fabricated from 2024 alilminum alloy in
accordance with AMS 4037. Total surface area is 150 square inches (968 cmZ).

4.4 Approval

4.4.1 Processes, control factors, or preproduction sample part or test panel, or any combination thereof specified, shall
be approved by the cognizant engineering organization before production parts are supplied.

4.4.2 If the processor makes a significant change to any material, process, or control factor from that which was used
for process approval, all preproduction tests shall be performed and the results submitted to the cognizant
engineering organization for process reapproval, unless the change is approved by the cognizant engineering
organization. A significant change is one which, in the judgment of the cognizant engineering organization, could
affect the properties or performance of the parts.

4.4.3 Control factors for anodizing shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Cleaning procedure, including the compositions and temperatures of the baths used
Deoxidation process
Anodizing bath composition including impurity limits, temperature, and agitation method
Rate of voltage rise, anodizing voltage, and time of anodizing
Sealing solution composition including impurity limits, temperature, and pH
Dye solution composition and temperature
Touch up, method if used
Purity of water used for sealing and rinsing
Periodic test plan for cleaning and processing solutions. See 8.4.
SAE AMS 2472F -6-

The processor of coated parts shall furnish with each shipment a report stating that the parts have been processed and
tested in accordance with specified requirements and that they conform to the acceptance test requirements. This report
shall include the purchase order number, lot identification. AMS 2472F, part number, and quantity.

4.6 Resampling and Retesting

4.6.1 If any acceptance test fails to meet specified test requirements, the parts in that lot may be stripped, pretreated.
coated, post treated as defined herein, and retested. Alternatively, all parts in the lot may be inspected for the
nonconforming attribute, and the nonconforming parts may be stripped, pretreated, coated, post treated as defined
herein, and retested. After stripping and reanodizing, parts shall meet the dimensions on the drawing.

4.6.1.1 When stripping is performed, the method shall be acceptable to the cognizant engineering organization and
shall not roughen, pit, or embrittle the basis metal or adversely affect part dimensions. When parts have been
stripped and reanodized, the cognizant engineering organization shall be informed.

4.6.2 If any peilodic test fails to meet specified test requirements, the process is nonconforming. No additional parts
shall be plated until the process is corrected and new specimens are coated and tested. Results of all tests shall
be recorded and, when requested, reported. Purchaser shall be notified of all parts coated since the last
acceptable test.

5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

5.1 Coated parts shall be handled and packaged to ensure that the required physical characteristics and properties of
the coating are preserved.

5.2 Packages of coated parts shall be prepared for shipment in accordance with commercial practice and in compliance
with applicable rules and regulations pertaining to the handling, packaging, and transportation of the parts to ensure
carrier acceptance and safe delivery.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The processor shall mention AMS 2472F in all quotations and when acknowledging purchase orders.

7. REJECTIONS

Parts on which the coating does not conform to this specification, or to modifications authorized by the cognizant
engineering organization, will be subject to rejection.

8. NOTES

8.1 A change bar (I) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical
revisions, not editorial changes, have been made to the previous issue of this specification. An (R) symbol to the left
of the document title indicates a complete revision of the specification, including technical revisions. Change bars
and (R) are not used in original publications, nor in specifications that contain editorial changes only.

8.2 Process Notes

8.2.1 All fabrication-type operations, such as forming, shot peening, brazing, welding, perforating, machining and heat
treatment should be completed before parts are anodized.

8.2.2 The nominal sulfuric acid concentration in the electrolyte should be 15 to 20% by weight. The processing
temperature should be selected from within the range 64 to 85 "F (18 to 29 "C).

8.2.3 Acetate sealer should be maintained at a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 and at a temperature of 190 to 212 "F (88 to 100 "C)
Adjustments to pH should be made by additions of acetic acid or sodium hydroxide.

8.2.4 Surfaces to be painted should be handled with care after anodizing to prevent rupture of the film and
contamination by dirt or oil. Painting, if required, should be performed as soon afler treatment as practicable.
SAE AMS 2472F -7-
8.2.5 Aluminum parts which contain inserts of other metals should be masked before anodizing to seal off the non-
aluminum material.

8.2.6 Hooks or racks, except those made from titanium, should have the anodic film removed from contact areas prior
to reuse.

8.2.7 Holes, whether tapped or not, 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) in diameter or greater, with an UD ratio of three or less, should
anodize. In the case of small holes, coating thickness may vary from no film to a full normal coating.

8.2.8 Anodic coatings will affect dimensions. Special attention should be given to external and internal threads. The
pitch diameter of external threads may increase two to four times the coating thickness.

8.2.9 Although the exact thickness of sulfuric acid anodic coatings will depend on the processing parameters, the
normal range is 0.0002 to 0.0006 inch (5 to 15 pm). This, with the growth, which is one-third to one-half the
coating thickness and inherent brittleness of the coating, should be considered for possible cause of damage
during interference fit of assemblies.

8.2.10 Surface finish of the machined part prior to anodizing should be better than the surface finish requirement of the
anodized area. Any polishing or honing of the coating will be harmful.

8.2.11 Sealing time should be not less than 10 minutes in the acetate sealer

8.3 Terms used in AMS are clarified in ARP1917. ASTM B 374 "Terminology Relating to Electroplating" should be
utilized as a reference and referee document when areas of design definition or technical interpretation arise.

8.3.1 A pit is defined as an area of localized corrosion having a depth greater than its width. Pit size may be determined
by either direct dimensional measurement or by comparison to known references. A superficial pit or discontinuity
in the anodize surface itself, not penetrating thru to the base metal and not showing the presence of white
corrosion products is not rejectable. As a general rule, a pit usually displays a characteristic tail or line of white
aluminum corrosion products.

8.4 ARP4992. Periodic Test Plan For Process Solutions, is recommended to satisfy the requirements for control of
processing solutions.

8.5 Dimensions in inchlpound units and the Fahrenheit temperatures are primary: dimensions in SI units and the Celsius
temperatures are shown as the approximate equivalents of the primary units and are presented only for information.

PREPARED BY AMS COMMITTEE "B"