Letter 19061

High friction coefficient plating needed  

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I am in search of a plating or coating to be used on carbon steel components. The plated component will have a high contact stress (20,000 to 30,0000 psi or more) interface with an uncoated carbon steel component. This interface needs to be an absolutely zero slip interface and requires as high a static coefficient of friction as possible without damaging the components. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Brent Harrald
deepwater technology - Houston, Texas

With the very little info you give it is difficult, but I would say that the highest friction between two mating metal parts will be attained with both elements being of the same alloy. Molecular cohesion (same type of molecules) is normally higher than adhesion (different type). Alternatively, if the parts are intended to remain together you may think of adhesives instead of plating.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico

Try electroless nickel with co-deposited silicon carbide. Our firm, Anoplate, sells it under the tradename of EHhanced SiC, however, there are others in the plating industry that sell equivalent. The electroplated nickel with silicon carbide coating, widely known as Nicosil, is also available. There are also combinations of diamond with electroless nickel, however, these tend to be pricey.

Milt Stevenson, Jr. Anoplate Corp Syracuse, NY, USA

I suggest that you try belting the different alloys together with some sort of foreigner clamp. These products come with complete instructions, so nothing is left to the imagination. I bet you will experience vast improvements in outstanding performance. Good luck.

Errland Ignignot
components - Moon River, Arkansas

I am working on a very similar problem for my company. Our compressive stress requirement is lower, 8,000 to 12,000 psi. I know of an application using tungsten carbide coating on carbon steel against non-coated carbon steel that is in the 10,000 to 12,000 psi range. It does not slip or damage the mating surfaces.

Michael Italiano
- Salem, OH, USA

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