---
type: "WebPage"
title: "MIL-DTL-5002 Testing"
description: "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..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-dtl-5002-analysis/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_698ee4ed6fd08", "Arnaud JOUDRAIN Meta"]
timestamp: "2026-02-18T16:22:25Z"
published: "2026-02-13T08:46:37Z"
language: "en"
author: "Filab"
---

# MIL-DTL-5002 Testing

## 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](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md), [Space](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md), and [Defense](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector.md) (ASD) sectors, the durability of metallic structures depends on the quality of the applied [surface treatments.](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/life-cycle-of-an-analytical-method-in-the-laboratory/analytical-development-for-the-chemical-industry-and-surface-treatment.md) A failing protective barrier can lead to accelerated [corrosion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md), 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:

  [### ICP-OES

for the purity control of coatings and the analysis of contaminants in baths](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-danalyses-par-icp-icp-ms-et-icp-aes-icp-oes.md) [### SEM-EDX

for deposit analysis and interface examination](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md) [### X-ray Tomography

for rapid non-destructive testing](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tomography-analysis-laboratory.md)
### 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

  [Discover our accreditations](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en.md)  Discover our metallurgical expertise
## Analysis of Iron, Aluminium, Molybdenum, Copper, Tin, Chromium, Titanium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc

 [Learn more](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory.md)
### Our analytical services in accordance with MIL requirements for the ASD sector

[Analysis according to MIL-A-22771 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-a-22771-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to MIL-S-22499 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-s-22499-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to MIL-P-83348 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-p-83348-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to MIL-A-6088 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-a-6088-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to MIL-DTL-14067 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-dtl-14067-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to MIL-T-9047 requirement](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analyses-tests-defense-security-sector/mil-t-9047-analysis.md)

### Our analytical services based on ISO and ASTM standards for the ASD sector

[Analysis according to ASTM E3061 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e3061.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E1086 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1086.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E1019 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1019.md)

[Analysis according to ISO 8287 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-8287-testing.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM B213 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-b213.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM B964 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b964.md)

[Analysis according to ISO 12154 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-iso-12154.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E1868 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1868.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E1409 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-e1409-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E415 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e415.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E1251 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-e1086.md)

[Analysis according to ISO 15350 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-15350-testing.md)

[Analysis according to ISO 4935 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-4935-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to ISO 4490 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/iso-4490-analysis.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM B527 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b527.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM B923 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-b923.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM A269 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/astm-analysis-a269.md)

[Analysis according to ASTM E1941 standard](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-astm-e1941.md)

### Our additional metallographic analysis

[Micrographic analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-micrographic-examination.md)

[Failure analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md)

[Chemical composition analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-alloy-analysis-laboratory.md)

[Metallurgical analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory.md)

[Metallographic analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/examination-metallographic-section-laboratory.md)

[Elemental analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-elemental-analysis.md)

[Analysis of metallic alloys](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md)

## Our FAQ

 Which metals are most concerned by this requirement?
It applies mainly to aluminum alloys, steels (including stainless and high-strength steels), magnesium, and titanium alloys.

 How is the hydrogen embrittlement mentioned in the requirement detected?
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.

 Why is cleaning so important in MIL-DTL-5002?
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**.

 Does MIL-DTL-5002 allow chrome plating?
Yes, but it strictly regulates substitution processes and the necessary **thermal baking (degassing)** treatments to avoid part brittleness after hard chrome plating.

 How to get a quote?
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**.