Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Re-plating Musical Instrument Keys for Nickel Allergy

November 26, 2010

I am an oboist with a nickel allergy. My oboe (a high-end instrument) has silver-plated nickel silver keys (this is what the manufacturer says). I am beginning to have an allergic reaction on my fingertips from playing these keys.

Do any of you have experience with replating instrument keys, or do you know of someone who does? Could these keys possibly be anodized to prevent the nickel from coming through?

I know very little about the possibilities for improving this situation, and would appreciate all suggestions or comments that might steer me in a helpful direction.

Susan Kundert
musician - Durham, North Carolina, USA

---

November 29, 2010

Hi, Susan.

Your oboe appears to be made of the same materials that silver plated flatware is made of. Nickel-silver contains no silver, but a lot of nickel, and is corrosion resistant and of an acceptable color for silver plating. People sometimes complain of a metallic taste when the silver plating wears off of their flatware. Similarly, it seems that much of the silver plating has worn off of your oboe keys, exposing you to the underlying nickel.

The solution seems to be no more complicated that having your oboe replated with a fresh, heavy layer of silver. You might consider a specialty plating shop.

Anodizing is a process that applies to a few materials like aluminum and titanium, but has no applicability (that I know of) to nickel-silver. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey