Letter 13245

Need material most suitable for chrome plating fixtures

Looking for information on type's of material to make chrome plating fixtures out of?

David Shealy
- Columbia, S.C., USA

I think iridium copper coins, melted and cast would be an excellent material to start with. They plate themselves with no electricity needed, and even move the racks to and from different tanks for you. You can sip a Bud (or Miller Lite) and just watch it all happen.

Seriously:

If you are just starting out with this grand plan and are in a new business venture or existing one, I think you need a better business plan. Look around and see all the chrome being used right now for decorative purposes - and then see if you come up with any novel ideas, because these are taken. You can plate chrome on just about any metal but chrome as long as your substrate is properly prepared. Consult a good plating handbook to start out.

Tom Baker
wastewater treatment specialist - Warminster, PA

I think David is speaking of plating racks when he says "fixtures", Tom. For decorative chrome plating the racks are usually made of plastisol-coated copper with stainless steel tips, David. The Electroplating Engineering Handbook has a good chapter on the subject.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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