Do you need to validate the compliance of your surface treatments according to MIL-DTL-5002?
Securing corrosion protection with MIL-DTL-5002 specification
In the Aerospace, Space, and Defense (ASD) sectors, the durability of metallic structures depends on the quality of the applied surface treatments. A failing protective barrier can lead to accelerated corrosion, compromising the integrity of your essential parts.
The MIL-DTL-5002 specification (which replaces the legacy MIL-S-5002) defines general requirements for cleaning, surface treatments, and metallic and non-metallic coatings. It serves as a standard to guarantee that each step (degreasing, etching, anodizing, or plating) is performed without embrittling the base material.
At FILAB, we support manufacturers in the ASD supply chain with the control of their treatment processes according to MIL-DTL-5002, with a clear goal: to ensure the reliability of your technical and industrial decisions.
MIL-DTL-5002: an adhesion and safety challenge
Finishing compliance control according to MIL-DTL-5002
This requirement imposes strict restrictions, notably on the use of chemicals that can cause hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels. FILAB intervenes to validate the quality of deposits and the absence of deleterious side effects.
It is specifically used to:
- Verify thickness and structure of coatings (passivation, anodizing, cadmium plating...) by micrographic cross-section.
- Analyze chemical composition of treatment baths to guarantee their stability and compliance with the specification limits.
- Perform Hydrogen Embrittlement testing for high-strength steels after treatment.
In the Aerospace and Defense industries, compliance with MIL-DTL-5002 has a direct impact on:
- To salt spray and extreme corrosive environments.
- Adhesion of paints and subsequent finishing systems.
- Structural safety of strategic components subjected to high mechanical stress.
FILAB, a laboratory tailored to aerospace & defense requirements
An analytical park dedicated to MIL-DTL-5002 expertise
Validation according to MIL-DTL-5002 requires expertise in electrochemistry and metallurgy. To meet these requirements, FILAB provides its clients with state-of-the-art tools:
Dedicated material expertise services
At FILAB, analyses according to MIL-DTL-5002 are part of a global quality support approach. We help surface treaters qualify their process lines. Our teams intervene on:
Systematic receiving inspection on treatment test coupons
Evaluation of surface cleanliness before coating (detection of grease or silicone residues)
Expertise following adhesion loss or abnormal in-service corrosion
Why choose FILAB?
- 45 years of recognized expertise in analysis and materials science
- Dual competence: Chemistry / Materials
- Specializing in metallic alloys and critical applications
- Customer qualification : Safran, Dassault Aviation, and Framatome
- ISO 17025 Accreditation regarding metallic alloys
Analysis of Iron, Aluminium, Molybdenum, Copper, Tin, Chromium, Titanium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc
Learn moreOur analytical services in accordance with MIL requirements for the ASD sector
Our analytical services based on ISO and ASTM standards for the ASD sector
Our FAQ
It applies mainly to aluminum alloys, steels (including stainless and high-strength steels), magnesium, and titanium alloys.
MIL-DTL-5002 often mandates sustained load tests on specific notched specimens. In the laboratory, we can also perform hydrogen dosage analyses by inert gas fusion (ONH) to compare levels before and after treatment.
Poor degreasing or etching residue prevents coating adhesion. The reference requires surfaces to be "chemically clean", a state that FILAB can validate by wettability tests or FTIR spectroscopy.
Yes, but it strictly regulates substitution processes and the necessary thermal baking (degassing) treatments to avoid part brittleness after hard chrome plating.
To get a quote, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email. Simply send us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, specific standard, urgency, sample quantity...). We will then send you a personalized technical and price proposal within 24-48 hours.
