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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Electroforming Alloys
2000
Is it possible to electroform alloys like nichrome, or more specifically "alloy 600"? (from Inconel, Ni,Cr,&Fe). If so, what are the specific chemicals involved, and other needed parameters?
Finished product would be small blade like structures, varying in size from about 3/32" wide by .015" thick to .032, .041 or .062" round in diameter, and would be used as a specialized heating element (upwards of 1800 F or more). Any advice on any other heating element alloys that might electroform better (even the cobalt ones) is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Pat Lamusga- Browerville, Minnesota USA
You will not be able to electroform a chrome-bearing alloy, and any alloy at all is difficult. Berl Stein at NiCoForm [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] does development work and may be able to electroform sample parts in nickel-cobalt if that helps.
![Ted Mooney, finishing.com](../portraits/ted_mooney_beach.jpg)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2000
2000
To Pat Lamusga:
Chemical Vapour Deposition of various metals DO allow for forming alloys. We have experience of nickel alloys especially, such as iron-nickel and boron-nickel for softening, or hardening, nickel respectively.
The interesting thing about the vapour process (CVD of nickel) is that we can, for example, deposit a hardened surface layer of nickel and back it (in the same continuous depositing process, by modifying the gas mixtures) with pure nickel. This process avoids any concerns about delamination of a hard coating from a substrate; it avoids an unnecessary manufacturing step; and it also minimises the residual stresses that can occur when nickel is hardened.
Maybe CVD technology will give you a new range of solutions, or at least a new way of thinking about the problems!
by Blum & Hogaboom
![blum_and_hogaboom](../abwd/electroforming_principles.jpg)
on AbeBooks
or eBay or
Amazon
(affil links)
by Jay H. Newman
![electroforming_for_artists](../abwd/electroforming_for_artists.jpg)
on AbeBooks
or eBay or
Amazon
(affil links)
Also, there is a significant advantage in using CVD of nickel compared to electroforming, in that the process is up to 25 times faster than electroforming. We grow nickel at a rate of 1/4 inch in one day!
Sincerely
![mick omeara](../portraits/mick_omeara.jpg)
Mick O'Meara
- Toronto, Canada
I want to know about the electroforming of various metals including it's principle, experimental techniques and parameters.
Saravanan- Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
2002
Saravanan:
I'm not sure why you are having trouble locating info on that subject, Saravanan. But to the right we have added links to some "Electroforming" books at amazon. Good luck.
![Ted Mooney, finishing.com](../portraits/ted_mooney_beach.jpg)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2002
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