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Decorative Nickel -Chrome plating on SS 409 Silencers

2006

We are planning to use Stainless Steel SS 409 grade in 1.2mm thickness, for M-Cycle Silencers to improve internal corrosion resistance. On out side we want to do Nickel - Chrome plating to improve appearance and corrosion resistance. Pl. inform following things-
1)Is it possible to do Nickel-Chrome plating on SS 409 ?
2)Whether the quality of plating will be comparable to that of Triplex Ni-Cr plating to 30 microns thickness on MS ?
3)Do you recommend any orher surface treatment for SS 409 than plating ?

LASURE VIJAY
BAJAJ AUTO LTD - PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

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2006

I seriously believe a decent gauge of stainless well polished is just as brilliant, reflective and more endurable than any chromed stainless.
It can be done and looks good but I have seen many abysmal failures and they are not all immediate.
Many failure happen once the exhaust reaches running temperature.
I would seriously question reliabilty and marketability before I went too far on this.

Steve Clark
polishing and plating - Belfast, Maine

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Dear Mr Vijay Lasure,

My firm is already plating Chrome directly over Stainless Steel without nickel on an Eliminator part. It gives a pleasing blue and excellent coverage; it also bonds well and prevents yellowing of the SS. It is possible with close attention to the pre treatment of the SS.

Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

2006