Finish specification

QQ-P-35 (AMS-QQ-P-35)

The federal specification for passivation treatments for corrosion-resisting (stainless) steel. It was cancelled in 1997 in favor of ASTM A967, and industry guidance now points aerospace work to SAE AMS 2700.

38,329 NSNs in DLA's catalog cite this spec. See the catalog data

What QQ-P-35 covers

QQ-P-35 covers passivation of corrosion-resisting steel using nitric acid solutions. The last revision, QQ-P-35C, defines its types by solution temperature, concentration and whether sodium dichromate is added.

It remains heavily cited: 38,329 NSNs in DLA's catalog name it, led by socket head cap screws, blind rivets, quick-release pins and close-tolerance screws, made from materials such as iron alloy 660 and 303, XM-13 and 630 steels.

Types in QQ-P-35C

Type II
Medium temperature nitric acid solution with sodium dichromate additive.
Type VI
Low temperature nitric acid solution.
Type VII
Medium temperature nitric acid solution.
Type VIII
Medium temperature, high concentration nitric acid solution.

Status and revisions

QQ-P-35C is dated 28 October 1988. Notice 1, dated 4 April 1997, cancelled it and states it is superseded by ASTM A967-96. Notice 3, dated 11 September 1998, cancelled QQ-P-35C together with Notices 1 and 2, and told DoD activities to refer future acquisitions to ASTM A967 or SAE AMS-QQ-P-35, adding that aerospace applications require AMS-QQ-P-35.

SAE AMS-QQ-P-35 was itself cancelled in February 2005. Lockheed Martin's supplier quality guidance states that AMS-QQ-P-35 was superseded by AMS 2700 and maps QQ-P-35 Types II, VI, VII and VIII to AMS 2700 Types 2, 6, 7 and 8. The current AMS 2700 revision is G, revised May 2025.

Typical applications

  • Removing free iron and other less noble contaminants from stainless steel surfaces, the purpose AMS 2700 states in its scope.
  • Stainless and heat-resistant fasteners and pins: socket head cap screws, blind rivets, quick-release pins and close-tolerance screws lead DLA's catalog.

What a shop needs to supply to QQ-P-35

  • Confirm which document your order invokes: QQ-P-35, AMS-QQ-P-35, AMS 2700 or ASTM A967. A drawing that still names QQ-P-35 may need a substitution approved by the buyer.
  • Map the type. Lockheed Martin's guidance maps QQ-P-35 Types II, VI, VII and VIII to AMS 2700 Types 2, 6, 7 and 8.
  • Plan for verification testing. QQ-P-35C specified a high-humidity test (95 to 100 percent humidity at 100 to 115 °F for 24 to 26 hours), a salt spray test (ASTM B117, minimum 2 hours), a copper sulfate test and a water immersion test. ASTM A967 lists practices including water immersion, high humidity, salt spray, copper sulfate and potassium ferricyanide-nitric acid tests.

The purchase order, drawing and the revision of the spec it invokes govern. Always work from the revision your contract names.

QQ-P-35 in the DLA catalog

From DLA's public PUB LOG catalog, release 2026-10-27, covering 16 hardware and mechanical supply groups (fasteners, bearings, fittings, valves, power transmission, engine components and more).

38,329
NSNs whose catalog record cites QQ-P-35
44%
coded open to new sources (16,753 NSNs): at least one managing service codes it AMC 1 or 2 with AMSC G
35%
coded for existing or approved sources (13,485 NSNs)

Most common items

Screw, cap, socket head3,097
Rivet, blind2,951
Pin, quick release2,227
Screw, close tolerance1,931
Bolt, shear1,697
Pin-rivet1,263
Washer, flat1,225
Setscrew1,126
Bushing, sleeve1,065
Screw assembly, panel1,047

Federal supply classes

5305 Screws9,685
5315 Nails, machine keys, and pins4,967
5310 Nuts and washers4,920
5320 Rivets4,547
5306 Bolts3,842
5340 Hardware, commercial2,536
5365 Bushings, rings, shims, and spacers2,167
3120 Bearings, plain, unmounted1,235

Can a new source win these parts?

DLA codes each part with an acquisition method (AMC) and a suffix (AMSC). We count an NSN as open when at least one managing service codes it AMC 1 or 2 (competitive) with suffix G (the government has the full technical data and the rights to use it). Otherwise we count it as restricted when a service codes it AMC 3, 4 or 5 (buy from the manufacturer or prime) or uses a suffix that limits or conditions who can supply it (AMSC B, C, D, H, K, L, P, Q, R, T, U or Y): missing data or rights, source-control drawings, source or QPL approval, controlled castings, uneconomical breakout, an unstable design, or low-value screening for known sources. These are catalog codes; the solicitation always governs.

Open: AMC 1 or 2 with AMSC G16,75344%
Restricted: AMC 3, 4 or 5, or a restrictive AMSC13,48535%
Other acquisition codes4,60712%
No acquisition method in the catalog3,4849%

As of PUB LOG release 2026-10-27. How to read the codes: AMC and AMSC codes explained.

How catalog records call it out

Characteristic records that cite QQ-P-35 or AMS-QQ-P-35, grouped by the type, class or condition they name. Counted across the most common callout spellings, so the totals are a floor.

Not specified37,960
Type 21,125
Type 1899
Type 4243

Some catalog records cite Type 1 or Type 4, which QQ-P-35C does not define. We do not have a source for what those types meant, so confirm with the buyer how the drawing's type maps to the document you will process to.

Materials these parts are made from

  • Iron alloy 660 (overall) 4,709
  • Steel comp 303 (overall) 3,040
  • Steel corrosion resisting (overall) 2,745
  • Steel comp XM-13 (overall) 2,648
  • Nickel alloy 718 (overall) 1,371
  • Steel comp 630 (overall) 1,156
  • Steel comp 302 or steel comp 303 or steel comp 304 or steel comp 305 or (overall) 954
  • Steel comp 302 (overall) 947

Sample NSNs that cite QQ-P-35

Frequently asked questions

Is QQ-P-35 still valid?

No. Notice 1 cancelled QQ-P-35C on 4 April 1997 and superseded it with ASTM A967-96. Notice 3 (11 September 1998) pointed DoD acquisition to ASTM A967 or SAE AMS-QQ-P-35. AMS-QQ-P-35 was then cancelled in February 2005, and industry guidance points to AMS 2700 as its replacement.

What replaced QQ-P-35?

ASTM A967-96 superseded it in April 1997, and a September 1998 notice added SAE AMS-QQ-P-35 as the aerospace option. AMS-QQ-P-35 was cancelled in 2005, and Lockheed Martin's supplier guidance states it was superseded by AMS 2700.

What are the QQ-P-35 types?

QQ-P-35C has four: Type II (medium temperature nitric acid with sodium dichromate), Type VI (low temperature nitric acid), Type VII (medium temperature nitric acid) and Type VIII (medium temperature, high concentration nitric acid).

How many DLA parts still cite QQ-P-35?

38,329 NSNs in DLA's PUB LOG catalog (release 2026-10-27, 16 hardware and mechanical supply groups) cite QQ-P-35 or AMS-QQ-P-35.

Related

Sources