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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 RiceretoMarketing 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
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005
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