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-----Required Thickness of Copper on Steel for Outdoor Exposure
I want to plate a mild steel tubular structure with copper and then artificially age it with a commercial patina (acid) to produce an uneven verdigris finish. The patina chemicals will be washed off when the desired finish is achieved. The completed structure should last 10 years outside before any rusting of the steel substrate will show through. Can you advise the thickness of copper plating required to achieve this please?
Robin HaynesProduct Designer - Auburn, California, USA
September 26, 2008
Rather than be concerned with the thickness of copper plate necessary for that type of life I would instead concern myself with a coating to be applied over the patina. This could be a polymer lacquer or a powdercoat. It could even be e coat. Generally real world time to corrosion is not a specification which is used. It is generally that the finish will pass a specific test i.e. Mil Spec, ASTM, auto manufacturer etc.
Gene Packmanprocess supplier - Great Neck, New York
October 2, 2008
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