Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Coating suggestion needed for an aluminum rack with stainless pinion and plastic roller

This is probably a rudimentary question, but I have very little knowledge of coatings/platings so I thought I should ask the experts...
We have a stainless steel pinion riding on an aluminum curved rack with a plastic "V" groove roller riding on the back of the rack. In our initial beadboard tests we were getting significant aluminum oxide or galling buildup on the plastic "V" groove roller.

Clear hard coat seemed to reduce but not eliminate the problem but we need a better solution for this and for lubricity and wear of the teeth of the rack and pinion.

Any suggestions for pinion and rack coatings?

Thanks!

Russell Stanton
medical - Littleton, Massachusetts
2003

---

Hi, Russell. Lubrication is the best answer when possible, but if no oil, graphite, or Teflon spray can be applied, then you are limited to wear resistant coatings. Electroless nickel plating the rack would be preferable to hardcoat anodizing it or clearcoating it. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 20, 2009