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Which hand tool plating for aerospace

2004

We want to procure hand tools which meet aerospace standards. As such there are many tool manufacturers claiming that their tools are meeting aerospace requirement and are providing chrome polished, chrome flashed, chrome nickel finish (mirror finish), satin chrome finish, matte chrome finish etc.

I would like to know which finish is better which is corrosion resistant and finish last long and durable .

Your immediate reply is much awaited.

Sunil Kumar Das
Aeronautics engineer - Bangalore, Karnataka, India

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Some of these terms have as least general meanings: mirror finish means highly reflective like a mirror; matte means non reflective (dispersed); satin means a finish that resembles satin in being halfway between reflective and matte, often accomplished with scratch brushing. I'd guess that 'chrome polished' means the same as 'polished chrome', i.e., mirror finish. 'Flash' usually means a very thin plating.

Unfortunately, none of this tells you what you want to know, and none of your terms assure compliance with any specification. I think samples have to be tested in salt spray or other accelerated corrosion tests; this will not tell you everything, but should identify the manufacturers who are applying poor finishes.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

Mr Sunil Kumar das

Please verify whether the tools are to be used on the ground , or whether these will go into space. Secondly please find standards, or create a set of norms based on your work environment or work requirement. Essentially all good hand tools have to meet ISO specs which can be purchased from the ISI. That should be a good starting point.

Regards,

Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016
2004