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51095
E-Nickel Plating for pump cylinder; thermal
cycling
January 29, 2009
I have a small pump bore (12.7mm) in 6061-T6 Aluminum. The piston
seal is Teflon. I need to E-Nickel the bore for the seal performance.
My pump will be operating between 20C and 115C, so I am concerned
about the Nickel flaking.
I have read articles here about E-Ni on Aluminum operating over 200C.
I would like to know if anyone has experience with specific E-Ni
performing better or worse with temperatures between 20C and 115C and
if thermal cycling can lead to flaking.
As a side note, I found out the expensive way that hard anodizing
does not like to see 75C. My pump components' surfaces all cracked.
After the fact I read a few articles here discussing this.
Thank you in advance.
Lansing Stout
Designer - Corvallis, Oregon, USA

January 30, 2009
I rather doubt that it is the temperature that is bothering your
hard anodizing, since pots that are hard anodized go over 100C and
frying pans will sometimes go over 200C.
I think that there was something is the liquid that was pumped that
caused the problem like bleach, some soaps that are slightly alkaline
and who knows.
If you do a proper EN on aluminum cycle, you will not have flaking.
You can do a 400F for 4 hours heat treat that will show up any
blisters as well as harden the nickel.
James Watts
- FL
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