CQI-11 is a process audit standard for electroplating processes published by AIAG. The full name is:
CQI-11: Specialty Process Assessment – Coating Systems (PSA)
Purpose of CQI-11
Reduce the risk of failure of automotive parts such as blistering, peeling, rusting, poor adhesion, etc. during operation
Support suppliers in continuous quality improvement and meeting the specialized process requirements of OEMs (such as GM, Ford, etc.)
Version Number: CQI-11 3rd Edition
Publication Date: 2020
Applicable to: Suppliers that perform electroplating processes in-house or externally (including self-plating and outsourcing)
CQI-11 Assessment Structure
1. Management Responsibility: Organizational structure, allocation of responsibilities, audit frequency, corrective action, and preventive action
2. Process Requirements: Control points for electroplating processes, raw materials, pre-treatment, post-treatment, records, etc.
3 Tables of electroplating sub-processes: Detailed technical control requirements for different types of electroplating
4 Appendices: Glossary, reference documents, additional control points
1. Management Responsibilities
Set objectives (e.g., qualification rate, rework rate)
Conduct a CQI-11 self-assessment regularly (recommended every 12 months)
2. Process Requirements (General Process)
Includes the control points of the entire electroplating process, e.g.:
Material Testing: A test report, e.g., a bath composition analysis report, must be available for raw materials.
Pretreatment: Cleaning, pickling, and activation must be stable and controllable, with operating resources available. Instructions
Bath control: The composition, temperature, current, and voltage of the plating solution should be analyzed and documented regularly.
Adhesion control: Use peel or pull-off tests to verify adhesion.
Electroplating uniformity: Check the thickness of complex parts and check the electroplating masking and fixture design.
Post-treatments such as passivation, sealing, drying, and hydrogen embrittlement treatment must be documented and confirmed.
3. Table of Electroplating Sub-Processes (Process Tables)
Table number, sub-process name
Table B: Zinc-nickel alloy (Zinc-nickel)
Table C: Zinc-iron alloy (Zinc-iron)
Table E: Nickel-chromium plating (Nickel-chromium)
Table F: Copper-nickel-chromium plating (Copper-nickel-chromium)
Table K: Other platings (e.g., multi-layer nickel, zinc-cobalt, etc.)
Test method (e.g., salt spray testing, X-ray fluorescence thickness measurement)
4. Appendix
Typical defect presentation (e.g., blistering, porosity, roughness)
Recommended record keeping patterns (electroplating thickness record, bath composition record, etc.)
S=Satisfactory: Satisfactory, meets requirements
M=Minor: Minor deviation, does not affect final quality
MA=Major: Major deviation, may affect product consistency or function
U=Unsatisfactory: Serious defects, process control errors, or missing Data Support
Element CQI-11 Requirements