No cost, no registration, no passwords -- just aloha, fun & authoritative answers
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

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

-----

Grade of Steel Alloy Rod for Plating

We have an inquiry to substitute steel alloy for brass on an existing turned-CNC design. The parts will have a nickel finish with a few cosmetic variations. What would be an appropriate grade steel that is soft enough to turn with similar tooling, but will give a decorative-grade surface similar to our plateable brass rod? The end result is to save money on the rod cost, over brass.

Mick Ricereto
Marketing Organization - Baltimore, Maryland
2005

Plain low carbon hot rolled steel is probably the most plateable grade as well as the cheapest. For the short term, a nickel plated steel item may look and perform similarly to a nickel plated brass item. In the longer term though, the brass item will age gracefully and the steel item will not.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: