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-----Cadmium plating specifications query
Q. What frequency should be adopted for testing for Mercury, annually, monthly, etc?
Mart Jennings- Dorset, U.K.
December 8, 2025
Hi Mart,
I'm guessing you are working to DEF STAN 03-19/AMS03-19.
The frequency is not stated specifically as it is up to you to determine the frequency to carry out the test to control the process.
In a previous employ, we used to carry out the test every 6 months. It helped we bought salts and anodes that were certified mercury-free, so were confident to test at that frequency (in 18 years we never had a single failure).
If you are buying certified mercury free salts and anodes, I would suggest 6 monthly would be plenty, but you could even go out to annually.
Whatever the frequency you choose, make sure you document it, as auditors love to find holes in systems (so speaks the poacher-come-game keeper)
Aerospace - Yeovil, Somerset, UK
⇩ Similar, related, Q&As -- oldest first ⇩
Q. We produce a number of aerospace products which require Cadmium Plating in accordance with 'DTD 904' On investigating the MOD website www.dstan.mod.uk, this particular specification has been omitted from their listing. Can anyone advise whether this spec. has been superseded and if so, by what spec. and where this can be confirmed?
Derek MansfieldBAS Components Ltd. - Sevenoaks, Kent, United Kingdom
2002
A. All DTD specifications have been cancelled; the majority have been superceded by either ISO specifications or DEF STANs. DTD 904 is superceded by DEF STAN 03-19 and is available for download from the DEF STAN home page. Passivation of cadmium and zinc is covered by DEF STAN 03-33 (superseding DEF-130).
Brian TerryWestland Helicopters Ltd - Yeovil, Somerset, England
2002
Update: DEF STAN 03-33 has now been withdrawn and is superseded by BS6338.
Bob BebbingtonPortsmouth Aviation Ltd. - Portsmouth England
March 28, 2018
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