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Using nickel-plated hardware on bags that will be laundered

An ongoing discussion beginning way back in ...

January 29, 2008

Q. I'm starting a bag business and am confused about appropriate hardware to use on the bag straps. I've found "nickel-plated metal rings and slides." These bags will be laundered, so I'm worried the nickel-plated hardware will rust from being washed in water. Stainless steel hardware is significantly more expensive.

Someone told me to try putting a strong magnet up to the nickel-plated hardware: If the hardware is strongly magnetic, it will probably rust. If it's not strongly magnetic, the hardware should be OK through washings. Is this true?

One of the samples I got was not magnetic. The other two samples were VERY magnetic.

Please help! I don't want my products to end up with rusty hardware.

Thanks so much.

Susan Chuang
bag designer - Los Angeles, California, USA

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"Zipper: An Exploration in Novelty" by Robert D. Friedel from Abe Books or Affil. Link Your purchases make finishing.com possible February 1, 2008 A. Why don't you try specifying lacquered nickel plated hardware which will pass a laundry test. I unfortunately do not have access to my old notes right how but I do know that there are laundrability specs from the clothing industry that applies to plated zippers, buttons, etc. I hope this helps. Gene Packman process supplier - Great Neck, New York February 1, 2008 A. Susan, The non-magnetic nickel sample is probably a high phosphorous electroless nickel plated item. The phosphorus content (around 11%) offers excellent hardness, corrosion resistance, and is virtually non-magnetic. The samples that are extremely magnetic contain iron, and yes, will rust over time. See what the ring and slide manufacturer used for plating in the desirable sample, I would bet it's high-phos electroless nickel. Good luck with your new venture. Mark Baker Process Engineer - Syracuse, New York

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February 5, 2008

Thank you so much, Gene & Mark! Unfortunately, the sales reps that I've been in contact with don't know what type of plating was used on their hardware. They just know it's "nickel-plate." Haven't come across any lacquered nickel plate options so far, but I'll try to find out more about launderability specs.

So, Mark ... you think the non-magnetic nickel plate slide would be safe to launder? The rings, unfortunately, are super-duper magnetic.

I may just have to bite the bullet and buy the stainless steel hardware to be safe. ** sigh **

Susan Chuang
- Los Angeles, California, USA