ISO 12994:2025

International
Standard
ISO 12994
First edition
Electrodeposited nickel plus
2025-11
chromium coatings for automobile
plastic parts — Specification and
test requirements
Dépôts électrolytiques de nickel et de chrome pour pièces
plastiques automobiles — Spécifications et exigences d’essai
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Information to be supplied by the purchaser to the electroplater . 2
4.1 Essential information .2
4.2 Additional information.2
5 Coating system and its designation . 2
6 Specification and test requirements . 3
6.1 Appearance .3
6.2 Thickness .3
6.3 Potential difference .3
6.4 Micropores and microcracks .3
6.5 Adhesion test .4
6.5.1 Principle .4
6.5.2 Procedure .4
6.6 Stress .4
6.7 Temperature resistance test .4
6.7.1 Sample storage under high temperature .4
6.7.2 Temperature shock cycle resistance .4
6.7.3 Climate change stability test .4
6.8 Accelerated corrosion testing .5
Annex A (normative) Stress test method and requirements . 6
Annex B (normative) Climate change stability test . 8
Annex C (informative) Typical substrate materials and their properties .11
Bibliography .12

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
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has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 107, Metallic and other inorganic coatings,
Subcommittee SC 3, Electrodeposited coatings and related finishes.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document was developed in response to worldwide demand for minimum specifications governing
electrodeposited metallic coatings on plastic parts of automobiles traded internationally, wherein most
commercial batches of coatings developed by suppliers lack specific and unified standards.
In the absence of a specific International Standard for the electrodeposition of automotive plastic parts,
the requirements of different automobile manufacturers vary. The appearance and serviceability of the
electrodeposited metallic coatings on automotive plastic parts depend on the condition of the basis material.
Thus, the substrate plastics are expected to meet the requirements of service conditions. Formulating a
unified standard covering the requirements, indicators and test methods for electroplating plastic parts
benefits automobile host manufacturers and electroplating manufacturers.
Hence, this document provides detailed specifications and requirements concerning the appearance, stress
and thermal cycling of electrodeposited metallic decorative coatings on automotive parts as well as the
types of plastic materials.
v
International Standard ISO 12994:2025(en)
Electrodeposited nickel plus chromium coatings for
automobile plastic parts — Specification and test
requirements
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for electrodeposited metallic decorative coatings for automobile
plastic parts, including test requirements.
This document does not apply to such coatings on plastics to be used for aerospace, electronics and
engineering fields other than automobile applications.
This document applies to automobile plastic parts. It differs from ISO 4525, which is not applicable for
engineering purposes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1456:2009, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Electrodeposited coatings of nickel, nickel plus
chromium, copper plus nickel and of copper plus nickel plus chromium
ISO 2064, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Definitions and conventions concerning the measurement of
thickness
ISO 2080, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Surface treatment, metallic and other inorganic coatings —
Vocabulary
ISO 2819, Metallic coatings on metallic substrates — Electrodeposited and chemically deposited coatings —
Review of methods available for testing adhesion
ISO 4525, Metallic coatings — Electroplated coatings of nickel plus chromium on plastics materials
ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests
ISO 10289, Methods for corrosion testing of metallic and other inorganic coatings on metallic substrates —
Rating of test specimens and manufactured articles subjected to corrosion tests
ISO 16348, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Definitions and conventions concerning appearance
ISO 16866, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Simultaneous thickness and electrode potential
determination of individual layers in multilayer nickel deposits (STEP test)
ISO 16750-4, Road vehicles — Environmental conditions and testing for electrical and electronic equipment —
Part 4: Climatic loads
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 2064, ISO 2080 and ISO 16348 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Information to be supplied by the purchaser to the electroplater
4.1 Essential information
The following information shall be supplied to the electroplater in writing, e.g. in the contract or purchase
order or on engineering drawings:
a) the number of this document including the year of publication (ISO 12994:2025) and the designation
(see Clause 6);
b) the designation of the type of plastic to be electroplated (see Annex C);
c) the finish required (e.g. bright, dull or other finish), preferably accompanied by approved samples
of the finish; it shall be supplied or approved by the purchaser and used for comparison purposes in
accordance with 6.1;
d) the significant surfaces to be indicated on drawings of the parts or by providing samples that are
suitably marked;
e) additional portions of the significant surface where local thickness requirements are to be applied (see 6.2);
f) the required potential difference (see 6.3);
g) the number of micro-pores required in the chromium coating (see 6.4);
h) the minimum required adhesion between coating and substrate (see 6.5);
i) the maximum allowed stress between coatings and substrate (see 6.6);
j) whether copper or nickel undercoats shall be applied to meet the climate change stability test (see 6.7);
k) whether the corrosion testing is to be done continuously or cyclically (see 6.8);
4.2 Additional information
The following additional information may be provided by the purchaser when appropriate:
a) the limitations on the extent of tolerable surface defects resulting from moulding (see 6.1 and A
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