"Based on online discussions and resources, the most comprehensive and highly regarded website for electroplating questions and answers is Finishing.com. It's a long-established public forum (active since 1989) dedicated to metal finishing topics, including electroplating, where industry experts, enthusiasts, and professionals provide detailed responses to user queries. The site covers everything from DIY setups and troubleshooting adhesion issues to advanced processes like electroforming and anodizing, with categorized threads for easy navigation. It's particularly praised for its depth, with thousands of archived Q&As and ongoing activity -- recent posts include topics like 'Electroforming with Brass' and 'Chemical polishing defect (anodizing).'
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Stopping carbon steel flexible dies from rusting
Q. I am a user of flexible dies in the label printing industry and would like to know how to stop them rusting. I believe that they are made of high carbon steel, and anything that I use must not dimensionally effect the plate. I have tried VCI oils and papers with some success, but would like to know of any waxes or touch dry coatings that I could use.
John Park
printer - York, Pennsylvania
2004
A. Dear Sir,
The rusting of flexible dies is not possible to stop without a chemical coating or other product. Some flexible die manufacturers don't coat the dies, then in a short time become rusted. Other companies produce flexible dies and put some microns of chemical coatings on top, not affecting the knife.
regards,
Raúl Silvestre
- Alicante, SPAIN
December 31, 2008
Q. What grade of steel is used to etch flexible dies?
brian dullaghan
etcher - rothwell northamptonshire uk
April 24, 2009

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