Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Is Brass or Bronze a better substrate for marine use Q&A
Q. We are a small manufacturer of marine seating and from time to time we have a demand for plated accent rings. Does anyone know which material would be better: brass or bronze?
Thank you
Manufacturing Mgr - Savannah, Georgia, USA
February 12, 2008
A. You will find many shops who offer brass plating services and few who offer bronze plating, so you will find it less work to locate shops who can do the brass plating for you. But plating either of them on a steel substrate will not give a finish that I would consider satisfactory for marine service.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I recently asked the question but it seems that he was misinterpreted; I meant that which base material is best for plating: brass or bronze? We have requirement for plated rings for the marine environment (indoor yacht).
Thanks,
manufacturing engineer - Savannah, GA, USA
A. Indeed I misunderstood the question -- sorry. I've now reworded the title so that other readers are less likely to repeat my mistake :-) Properly plated brass ages gracefully, it's less expensive, and it's probably very slightly easier to plate. But on the other hand bronze is significantly more corrosion resistant in a salt water environment (probably because it has no zinc in it). Assuming you will be nickel-chrome plating the items, the plating may last well, but it won't last forever -- bronze is definitely a better choice.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Bronze plating over a brass base metal is much better choice for durability than Brass plating over a brass base.
Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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