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Pitting on plated plastic parts

Good day all my name is Darryl a plastics process engineer in the auto industry. Have a problem with pitting on my plated parts. I have examined the tools and small holes or pits are visible under microscope. This condition shows after plating but is not consistent so difficult to solve. Please does anyone have info on this condition thanks

Darryl Moggee
plastic moulding - Durban South Africa
October 18, 2011

Hi, Darryl.

May we assume that this is copper-nickel-chrome plating on ABS parts? Sometimes the look of the pits gives a strong clue as to their origin. For example, are the pits hemispherical, smooth and bright? If so they are gas pits, with the smooth surface due to the fact that tiny hydrogen bubbles were attached to those spots.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 18, 2011

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