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
Evaluate and improve the process control capability and consistency of electroplating processes
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.)
Current Version
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
The assessment form contains the following core parts:
Part Content Description
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
Main content of each section
1. Management Responsibilities
Designate a person responsible for the electroplating process
Set objectives (e.g., qualification rate, rework rate)
Conduct a CQI-11 self-assessment regularly (recommended every 12 months)
Does a training plan and operator certification mechanism exist?
Record internal audits, customer audits, and improvement actions
2. Process Requirements (General Process)
Includes the control points of the entire electroplating process, e.g.:
Element Requirement Example
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.
Failure response: Are abnormal products marked and isolated, and the root cause analyzed?
3. Table of Electroplating Sub-Processes (Process Tables)
Each electroplating type has a detailed table with:
Table number, sub-process name
Table A: Galvanizing
Table B: Zinc-nickel alloy (Zinc-nickel)
Table C: Zinc-iron alloy (Zinc-iron)
Table D: Nickel plating (Nickel)
Table E: Nickel-chromium plating (Nickel-chromium)
Table F: Copper-nickel-chromium plating (Copper-nickel-chromium)
Table G: Copper plating (Copper)
Table H: Tin plating (Tin)
Table I: Silver plating (Silver)
Table J: Gold plating (Gold)
Table K: Other platings (e.g., multi-layer nickel, zinc-cobalt, etc.)
Each table contains:
Formula of the plating solution and Maintenance frequency
Current density, voltage setting
Coating thickness standard and test frequency
Requirements for coating appearance, hardness, adhesion, and corrosion resistance
Test method (e.g., salt spray testing, X-ray fluorescence thickness measurement)
4. Appendix
Explanation of abbreviations and terms
Equipment calibration cycle
Typical defect presentation (e.g., blistering, porosity, roughness)
Recommended record keeping patterns (electroplating thickness record, bath composition record, etc.)
✅ Description of the evaluation mechanism
Each inspection item is evaluated according to the following four criteria levels:
Level description
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
Typical Examples of Mandatory Requirements
Element CQI-11 Requirements
Coating Solution Analysis: Regular analysis of bulk salt content, pH, and additive concentration
Thickness Determination: Sampling per batch or daily using XRF or microsectioning
Salt Spray Testing: Regular corrosion resistance testing
Hydrogen Embrittlement Removal: Timely baking after galvanization
