IS 1068:2016 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for electroplated coatings of nickel and chromium. IS 1068 specifies nickel-chromium electroplated coatings for corrosion protection and decorative finish. Service conditions SC1 (mild indoor) to SC4 (severe outdoor) determine minimum coating thickness. Widely used for bathroom fittings, door hardware, and automotive trim.
Specification for electroplated nickel and chromium coatings on metal substrates for corrosion protection and decorative finish.
Overview
Status Current
Usage level Specialized
Domain Materials Science — Painting, Coatings and Surface Finishing
Type Specification International equivalents
Also on InfraLens for IS 1068
Practical Notes
! Always specify the service condition (SC1-SC4) in procurement — it determines coating life.
! SC4 is required for external building hardware (door handles, railings exposed to weather).
! Chrome over nickel is decorative + protective. Nickel provides corrosion resistance; chrome provides hardness and appearance.
! CASS test (copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray) is the standard corrosion test for Ni-Cr coatings.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3 — Service condition numbers (SC1 to SC4)
Cl. 4 — Coating thickness requirements per service condition
Cl. 5 — Adhesion and corrosion resistance tests
Cl. 6 — Appearance requirements
electroplating nickel plating chrome plating surface finish corrosion protection
International Equivalents Similar International Standards
ASTM B456 ASTM International (US)
High Current
Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium
Both specify Ni-Cr electroplated coatings with service condition classification and thickness requirements.
ISO 1456:2009 ISO
High Current
Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Electrodeposited coatings of nickel plus chromium
IS 1068 is aligned with ISO 1456. Service conditions and thickness values are similar.
Key Differences
≠ IS uses SC1-SC4. ISO uses similar numbering. ASTM uses service condition numbers 1-4.
Key Similarities
≈ All three use a 4-level service condition system with increasing coating thickness for harsher environments.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter IS Value International Source SC4 Ni thickness Min 30 µm Min 30 µm ISO 1456
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use Report Error
Key Values5 Quick Reference Values
SC1 (mild indoor) Ni thickness Min 5 µm
SC2 (moderate) Ni thickness Min 10 µm
SC3 (severe indoor) Ni thickness Min 20 µm
SC4 (outdoor) Ni thickness Min 30 µm
Chrome thickness (all) Min 0.3 µm
Tables & Referenced Sections Key Tables
Table 1 — Minimum coating thickness by service condition
Table 2 — CASS test duration requirements
Frequently Asked Questions1 What service condition should I specify for bathroom fittings? + SC3 (severe indoor — warm, humid environment). For outdoor hardware, specify SC4.
QA/QC Inspection Templates 📋
QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.