Simultaneous Thickness and Electrode Potential (STEP) determination test is used to measure the thickness of the individual nickel layers and the potential differences among them relevant for the course of corrosion in a multilayer nickel system and, provided the suitable instruments be applied.
BS EN 16866 applies to the measurement of the thickness of the individual nickel layers in electroplated multilayer nickel coatings and to the measurement of the potential differences between the individual nickel layers in electroplated multilayer nickel coatings.
BS EN 16866 includes examples of the typical schematic construction of a measuring cell used for the simultaneous determination of layer thicknesses and potential differences in multilayer nickel systems.
Note: The measurement of coatings or layer systems other than electroplated multilayer nickel coatings is not covered by BS EN 16866.
BS EN 16866 on STEP test analysis of nickel is useful for:
The corrosion protection provided by multilayer nickel deposits is related to the electrochemical potential difference between the individual nickel layers. To obtain corrosion protection from a multilayer nickel, an adequate minimum thickness for each of the individual nickel layers as well as the proper thickness ratio of semi-bright to bright nickel are the most obvious requirements for satisfactory results.
BS EN 16866 provides you with procedures for simultaneously determining the thickness, relative electrochemical potential and polarity of the individual layers of a multilayer nickel deposit.
BS EN 16866 guidelines help you for development of STEP test and methods for evaluating performance and potential of Nickel multilayers layers.
EN 16866:2017