Standard No.:	GB/T 12333-2025
English Name:	Metallic coatings - Electroplated coatings of copper for engineering purposes
Chinese Name:	金属覆盖层 工程用铜电镀层
Professional Classification:	GB    National Standard
Issued on:	2025-10-31
Implemented on:	2026-5-1
Status:	to be valid
Superseding:	GB/T 12333-1990
Target Language:	English
File Format:	PDF
Word Count:	18500 words
Translation Price(USD):	555.0
Delivery:	via email in 1~5 business day

GB/T 12333-2025 Metallic coatings - Electroplated coatings of copper for engineering purposes English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered. ICS 13.220.10 CCS H 57 National Standard of the People's Republic of China ‌GB/T 12333-2025 Replaces GB/T 12333-1990 Metallic coatings - Electroplated coatings of copper for engineering purposes 金属覆盖层 工程用铜电镀层 Issue date: 2025-10-31 Implementation date: 2026-05-01 Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China Contents Foreword 1 Scope 2 Normative References 3 Terms and Definitions 4 Information to be provided by the Purchaser 4.1 Essential information 4.2 Additional information 5 Identification 5.1 General principles 5.2 Composition of identification 5.3 Identification of substrate metal 5.4 Identification of heat treatment requirements 5.5 Identification of copper electroplated coating grade and thickness 6 Requirements 6.1 Appearance 6.2 Thickness 6.3 Adhesion strength 6.4 Porosity 6.5 Solderability 6.6 Stress-relieving heat treatment before plating 6.7 Hydrogen embrittlement relief heat treatment after plating 7 Test methods 7.1 Appearance 7.2 Thickness 7.3 Adhesion strength 7.4 Porosity 7.5 Solderability 7.6 Hydrogen embrittlement test 8 Sampling inspection 8.1 Alternative test piece 8.2 Sampling 8.3 Acceptance and rejection Appendix A (Informative) Grades and typical applications of engineering copper electroplated coatings Appendix B (Normative) Test methods for measuring thickness of copper electroplated coatings B.1 General B.2 Destructive test B.2.1 Microscopical method B.2.2 Coulometric method B.2.3 Scanning electron microscopy method B.3 Non-destructive test B.3.1 Magnetic method B.3.2 Beta backscatter method B.3.3 X-ray spectrometric method Appendix C (Normative) Porosity test for copper electroplated coatings (Improved ferroxyl test) C.1 General C.2 Test solution C.3 Procedure C.4 Test report References 1 Scope This document specifies the identification, requirements, test methods, and sampling inspection for engineering copper electroplated coatings on metallic substrates. This document applies to engineering copper electroplated coatings for purposes such as: Copper electroplated coatings that serve as a barrier on heat-treated parts; Copper electroplated coatings that facilitate brazing during steel tube welding; Copper electroplated coatings that reduce friction during drawing processes; Copper electroplated coatings used as a base layer for tin plating to prevent diffusion of the substrate metal; Copper electroplated coatings used for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in electronic circuits; Copper electroplated coatings on connectors. This document does not apply to decorative copper electroplated coatings (surface coatings) or copper electroplated coatings used as a base layer for other decorative coatings, nor does it apply to electroformed copper. 2 Normative references The contents of the following documents, through normative citations in the text, constitute essential provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies. GB/T 2423.28 Environmental testing for electrical and electronic products—Part 2: Test methods—Test T: Solderability GB/T 3138 Surface treatment of metals and other inorganic coatings—Terminology GB/T 4955 Metallic and other inorganic coatings—Measurement of coating thickness—Anodic dissolution coulometric method GB/T 4956 Non-magnetic coatings on magnetic substrates—Measurement of coating thickness—Magnetic method GB/T 5270 Metallic and other inorganic coatings on metallic substrates—Electrodeposited and chemically deposited coatings—Review of test methods for assessing adhesion GB/T 6462 Metallic and oxide coatings—Measurement of coating thickness—Microscopical method GB/T 6463 Metallic and other inorganic coatings—Review of test methods for measuring coating thickness GB/T 12334 Metallic and other inorganic non-electrolytic coatings—Definitions and general rules for thickness measurement GB/T 12609 Electrodeposited metallic coatings and related finishes—Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes GB/T 16921 Metallic coatings—Measurement of coating thickness—X-ray spectrometric method GB/T 19349 Metallic and other inorganic coatings—Pretreatment of steel articles to minimize hydrogen embrittlement GB/T 19350 Metallic and other inorganic coatings—Post-treatment of steel articles after coating to minimize hydrogen embrittlement GB/T 20018 Metallic and non-metallic coatings—Measurement of coating thickness—Beta backscatter method GB/T 31563 Metallic coatings—Measurement of coating thickness—Scanning electron microscopy method HB 5067.1 Coating process hydrogen embrittlement testing—Part 1: Mechanical methods 3 Terms and definitions The terms and definitions defined in GB/T 3138 and GB/T 12334, as well as the following terms and definitions, apply to this document. 3.1 Significant surface The surface of a workpiece that is critical to its appearance and/or functional performance. Note: The significant surface shall be indicated on the workpiece drawing if necessary, or confirmed through physical samples. 3.2 Minimum local thickness The minimum thickness measured on the significant surface. Note: The minimum local thickness is also referred to as the minimum thickness. 3.3 Inspection lot A group of electroplated products submitted for acceptance, produced under the same process conditions, by the same manufacturer, at the same time or approximately the same time, and of the same type. 4 Information to be provided by the purchaser 4.1 Essential information When ordering electroplated products in accordance with this document, the purchaser shall provide the following information in writing in the contract, purchase order, or engineering drawing: a)The document number of this standard; b) The grade or minimum local thickness of the copper electroplated coating (see 6.2); c) The significant surface, which shall be indicated on the workpiece drawing or confirmed through physical samples; d) The test method for adhesion strength (see 6.3 and 7.3); e) The requirements and test method for porosity (see 6.4 and 7.4); f) The requirements and test method for solderability (see 6.5 and 7.5); g) The requirements for stress-relieving heat treatment before plating (see 6.6); h) The requirements for hydrogen embrittlement relief heat treatment after plating (see 6.7); i) Whether hydrogen embrittlement testing is required and the test method (see 6.7 and 7.6); j) The sampling plan and acceptance level (see Chapter 8). 4.2 Additional information If applicable, the purchaser shall provide the following additional information: a) The chemical composition or specification and metallurgical condition of the substrate metal; b) The maximum tensile strength or hardness of the workpiece; c) The requirements or limitations for pretreatment, such as using steam blasting instead of acid pickling; d) The packaging, storage, and transportation requirements for copper-plated workpieces. 5 Identification 5.1 General principles The identification shall be marked on engineering drawings, technical agreements, purchase contracts, or product technical specifications.