AMS 2488D

AEROSPACE
MATERIAL Issued JUL 1977
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
SPECIFICATION Revised
Reaffirmed
JUN 2000
APR 2006

Superseding AMS 2488C

Anodic Treatment - Titanium and Titanium Alloys

(R) Solution pH 13 or Higher

1. SCOPE:

1.1 Purpose:

This specification establishes the engineering requirements for producing an anodic coating on
titanium and titanium alloys and the properties of the coating.

1.2 Application:

These coatings have been used typically as a lubricating and anti-galling coating for elevated
temperature forming, as an isolating film for increased resistance to galvanic corrosion, to provide
improved wear resistance and as a pretreatment for the application of solid film lubricants, but usage
is not limited to such applications.

1.3 Classification:

Coatings are classified by end-product application, as follows:

Type 1 As a coating for elevated-temperature forming.

Type 2 As an anti-galling coating without additional lubrication or as a pretreatment for improving

adherence of film lubricants and in application where increased resistance to galvanic
corrosion is required. Such coatings also are compatible with hypergolic propellants such
as hydrazine-unsymmetrical-dimethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide (See 8.4), and are
electrically semiconductive.

1.3.1 Type 2 shall be furnished unless Type 1 is specified.

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.
Copyright © 2006 SAE International
All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
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TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: (724) 776-4970 FAX: (724) 776-0790
SAE WEB ADDRESS: [Link]
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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.

1.5 Precautions:

The use of hypergolic propellents as test media presents a special hazard. Test vessels should be
contained in such a manner that breakage or inadvertent spills will be safely contained (See 8.4).

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS:

The issue of the following documents in effect on the date of the purchase order form 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
canceled and no superseding document has been specified, the last published issue of that document
shall apply.

2.1 SAE Publications:

Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

AMS 3084 Lubricant Solid Film, Minimal Outgassing

AMS 4911 Titanium Alloy Sheet, Strip, and Plate, 6Al - 4V, Annealed
MAM 4911 Titanium Alloy Sheet, Strip, and Plate, 6Al - 4V, Annealed (Metric)
AMS 4928 Titanium Alloy Bars, Wire, Forgings, and Rings, 6A1 - 4V, Annealed

2.2 ASTM Publications:

Available from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 15248-2959.

ASTM B 117 Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Testing Apparatus

ASTM B 244 Measurement of Thickness of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum and of Other
Nonconductive Coatings on Nonmagnetic Basis Metals with Eddy-Current
Instruments
ASTM D 2714 Calibration and Operation of the Falex Block-on-Ring Friction and Wear Testing
Machine

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2.3 U.S. Government Publications:

Available from DODSSP, Subscription Services Desk, Building 4D, 700 Robbins Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.

MIL-PRF-26539 Propellant, Nitrogen Tetroxide

MIL-PRF-27402 Propellant, Hydrazine-Uns-Dimethylhydrazine (50% N2H4 - 50% UDMH)
MIL-L-46010 Lubricant, Solid Film, Heat Cured, Corrosion Inhibiting
MIL-PRF-81329 Lubricant, Solid Film, Extreme Environment

3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1 Solutions:

3.1.1 Electrolyte: Shall be an alkaline solution with pH of 13 or higher.

3.2 Equipment:

3.2.1 Tanks: Shall be fabricated from a material which is suitable for containment of the electrolyte being
used. Cathode material shall be insoluble in the electrolyte.

3.2.2 Fixtures: Wire, hooks, clamps, and racks in contact with the parts or electrolyte which are used to
suspend parts in the electrolyte shall be of titanium or titanium alloys.

3.3 Preparation:

3.3.1 Cleaning: Parts shall be clean and free of water break. The use of halogenated solvents is
prohibited.

3.3.2 Racking: Racks and clamps shall be free of anodic film.

3.3.3 Electrical Contact: Contact points shall be in areas acceptable to the purchaser.

3.4 Procedure:

3.4.1 Processing: The cleaned and racked parts shall be immersed in the electrolyte. Direct current
shall be applied with the voltage being raised manually or automatically to maintain the required
current density during processing. Completion of the process is indicated by total decay of the
amperage (zero amperage).

[Link] Complex parts shall be agitated while totally immersed in the electrolyte in order to minimize
entrapment of air in pockets and blind holes and shall be repositioned periodically to bring the
electrolyte into contact with uncoated areas and to prevent attack at the electrolyte/air interface
of such pockets and blind holes.

3.4.2 Rinsing and Drying: Parts shall be thoroughly rinsed and dried.

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3.5 Properties:

Coating shall conform to the following requirements:

3.5.1 Coating Thickness:

[Link] Type 1: Anodizing shall produce a dimensional increase of 0.0002 to 0.0004 inch (5 to 10 µm)
per surface, determined by measuring the same location on parts or specimens before and after
anodizing using a micrometer accurate to 0.0001 inch (2.5 µm), by eddy current measurements
in accordance with ASTM B 244, or other method acceptable to purchaser. If specimens are
used, they shall be fabricated from the same alloy and condition as the parts and shall be
processed with the parts represented.

[Link] Type 2: Shall be such that there is no measurable dimensional change when measured with a
micrometer accurate to 0.0001 inch (2.5 µm).

3.5.2 Wear Resistance (Type 2): Test rings and blocks made of AMS 4928 titanium alloy anodized as
specified herein and coated with 0.0003 to 0.0005 inch (8 to 13 µm) of AMS 3084, MIL-L-46010,
Type 1 or MIL-PRF-81329 solid film lubricant shall have a life of 75,000 cycles, determined in
accordance with 4.5.1.

3.5.3 Propellant Compatibility: When specified, Type 2 anodic coating shall not react, dissolve, disperse,
change propellant color, or show any other evidence of deterioration during 30 days exposure to
MIL-PRF-27402 hydrazine-unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and MIL-PRF-26539 nitrogen
tetroxide, determined in accordance with 4.5.2. Persistent gas escape or continuous streaming of
bubbles from the anodic coating which results in a pressure increase exceeding 50 psi (345 kPa),
when immersed in non-agitated propellant, shall be evidence of incompatibility.

3.6 Quality:

Anodic coating, as received by purchaser, shall be continuous, smooth, adherent to basis metal,
uniform in texture and appearance, and free from burned or 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.

4. QUALITY 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.
Purchaser reserves the right to sample and to perform any confirmatory testing deemed necessary
to ensure that the coating conforms to the requirements of this specification.

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4.2 Classification of Tests:

4.2.1 Acceptance Tests: Coating thickness ([Link]) of Type 1 and quality (3.6) are acceptance tests and
shall be performed on each lot.

4.2.2 Periodic Tests: Tests of cleaning and processing solutions to ensure that the anodic coating will
conform to specified requirements (See 8.5) are periodic tests and shall be performed at a
frequency selected by the processor unless frequency is specified by the purchaser.

4.2.3 Preproduction Tests: All technical requirements are preproduction tests and shall be performed
prior to or on the initial shipment of coated parts to a purchaser, when a change in material and/or
processing requires approval by the cognizant engineering organization (See 4.4.2), and when
purchaser deems confirmatory testing to be required.

4.3 Sampling and Testing:

Shall be not less than the following; a lot shall be all parts made of the same alloy, coated to the
same range of coating thickness in the same set of solutions in each consecutive 24 hours of
operation, and presented for processor’s inspection at one time:

4.3.1 For Acceptance Tests: Shall be as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 - Sampling for Acceptance Tests

Number of
Parts in Thickness
Lot For Type 1 Quality
1 to 7 3 All
8 to 15 4 7
16 to 40 4 10
41 to 110 5 15
111 to 300 6 25
301 to 500 7 35
Over 500 8 50

4.3.2 For Periodic Tests: Sample quantity and frequency shall be selected at the discretion of the
processor, unless otherwise specified.

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4.4 Approval:

4.4.1 Processes and control factors, a preproduction sample coated part, and/or whichever is specified,
shall be approved by the cognizant engineering organization before production coated parts are
supplied.

4.4.2 The processor shall make no significant change to materials, processes, or control factors from
those on which the approval was based, 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 shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Cleaning and surface preparation

Solution limits and control
Voltage limits and control
Temperature limits and control
Solid film lubricant used in wear test
Stripping procedure, when applicable
Periodic test plan

4.5 Test Methods:

4.5.1 Wear Resistance:

[Link] Equipment: A block-on-ring test machine calibrated and operated in accordance with
ASTM D 2714.

[Link] Procedure: Mount an anodized and dry-film-lubricated AMS 4928 test ring on the block-on-ring
test machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Place sufficient weight on the bale rod to
achieve 630 pounds normal force (2802 N) when load is applied. Start machine. After one
minute, gently apply load to the lever system. Terminate the test when the coefficient of friction
equals 0.20. Repeat the room temperature test twice using new anodized and lubricated test
blocks and rings in each test. The average of test results shall not be less than 75,000 cycles.

4.5.2 Propellant Compatibility:

[Link] Test Specimens: Shall be AMS 4911 or MAM 4911 titanium alloy sheet 0.063 inch ± 0.006
(1.60 mm ± 0.15) thick by approximately 3/4 inch (19 mm) wide by 3 inches (76 mm) long.

[Link] Procedure (See 8.4):

[Link].1 50% N2H4 - 50% UDMH Compatibility: Place each anodized test specimen in a clean glass
tube capable of being tightly closed and provided with a pressure relief and pressure
monitoring system. Cover the test specimen with approximately three ounces (85 grams) of
MIL-PRF-27402 propellant. Close the test tube and heat to 160 °F ± 5 (71 °C ± 3) and hold at
temperature. Examine each working day for noticeable color change, excessive pressure
buildup, solubility, or other evidence of deterioration.

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[Link].2 Nitrogen Tetroxide Compatibility: Shall be determined as in [Link].1 except that the test tube
shall be maintained at 75 °F ± 15 (24 °C ± 8) and the test specimen shall be covered with
approximately three ounces (85 grams) of MIL-PRF-26539 propellant.

4.6 Reports:
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 the coated parts
conform to the acceptance test requirements. This report shall include the purchase order number,
lot number, AMS 2488D, part number, and quantity.

4.7 Resampling and Retesting:

4.7.1 If the results of any acceptance test fail to meet specified requirements, the parts in that lot may be
stripped by a method acceptable to purchaser that does not roughen or pit the basis metal or
adversely affect dimensional tolerances, pretreated, coated, and tested. Alternatively, all parts in
the lot may be inspected for the nonconforming attribute, and the nonconforming parts may be
stripped by a method acceptable to purchaser that does not roughen or pit the basis metal or
adversely affect dimensional tolerances, pretreated, coated, post treated, and tested.

4.7.2 If results of any periodic test fail to meet specified requirements, the process is nonconforming. No
additional parts shall be coated 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 Packaging:

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

5.1.2 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 coated parts to ensure carrier acceptance and safe delivery.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

Processor shall mention this specification number and its revision letter in all quotations and when
acknowledging purchaser orders.

7. REJECTIONS:

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

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8. NOTES:

8.1 A change bar ( l ) 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 Part manufacturing operations such as heat treatment, forming, and media finishing can affect the
condition of the substrate for anodizing, or if performed after anodizing, could adversely affect the
anodic coating. The sequencing of these operations should be specified by the cognizant
engineering organization and is not controlled by this specification.

8.3 The incorporation of dissimilar metals in titanium parts which are to be anodized should be avoided
whenever possible to avoid the need for masking.

8.4 Hydrazine-uns-dimethylhydrazine (50% N 2H4 - 50% UDMH) and nitrogen tetroxide are hazardous
materials. Contact with liquid may cause burns and severe eye damage. Breathing of vapors may
cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Spills represent an immediate fire and explosion
hazard. See "Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials", N. Irving Sax, Reinhold Publishing Co.,
New York, NY.

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

8.6 Dimensions in inch/pound units and the Fahrenheit temperatures are primary; dimensions in SI units
and Celsius temperatures are shown as the approximate equivalents of the primary units and are
presented only for information.

8.7 Purchase documents should specify not less than the following:

AMS 2488D
Type of coating desired
Quantity of parts to be coated

8.8 Key Words:

Anti-galling, lubricating, forming, galvanic corrosion, wear resistance, dry film lubricant

PREPARED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF AMS COMMITTEE "B"

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