Where theworld gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989
-----
A36 steel requires a high quality matte chrome finish
December 1, 2011
A supplier has responded to our RFQ for a steel plate, about 2 x 3 inches, .125 inch thick, with a 7/8 - 20 threaded hole in the center. It is a cosmetic piece to be submitted for bead blast and conventional copper/nickel/chrome plate. The desired finish is what is seen on precsion tools; matte chrome. Not polished, ground, brushed, or "as machined".
Is there any property of A36 steel that will prevent the plater from achieving this goal?
Are any special precautions or procedures needed?
OUR only requirement is a nice finish and magnetic property, as it is to be held in place with a "refrigerator magnet". The respondent's choice of A36 is their own.
- Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA
Hi, Larry. A36 is just common low carbon structural steel, and I can't see a reason that it can't be finished exactly as you'd like.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 2, 2011
December 6, 2011
IMO the trick here is the statement "not polished, ground, brushed, or as machined". This means that if you are not allowed to give the substrate any of those prep steps you need to get an almost prefect CRS. No signs of corrosion, pits, dings, scratches, etc. Hardly will you get a consistent surface from such a low cost raw material.
G. Marrufo-Mexico
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
Hi, Guillermo.
Respectfully, I don't read it that way. I believe those words were used to try to describe the desired appearance of the object rather than the manufacturing steps that are allowed or disallowed.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 7, 2011
December 14, 2011
Hello Ted, Guillermo,
I'm sorry if my original question was slightly ambiguous.
================
It is a cosmetic piece to be submitted for bead blast and conventional copper/nickel/chrome plate. The desired finish is what is seen on precision tools; matte chrome. Not polished, ground, brushed, or "as machined".
================
Your comment is on target and was a strong consideration in most of the quotes we received. Aluminum and many higher-cost materials are routinely available with a protective mask, but CRS often receives rough handling in transit and delivery.
=================
IMO the trick here is the statement "not polished, ground, brushed, or as machined". This means that if you are not allowed to give the substrate any of those prep steps you need to get an almost prefect CRS. No signs of corrosion, pits, dings, scratches, etc. Hardly will you get a consistent surface from such a low cost raw material.
=================
Ted is precisely correct, we are not allowing or disallowing any particular finishing process.
==================
Respectfully, I don't read it that way. I believe those words were used to try to describe the desired appearance of the object rather than the manufacturing steps that are allowed or disallowed.
==================
Several shops specifically planned on machining both sides of the piece to remove surface damage. Also of particular concern is the machinability of some sheet stocks. We've had some very poor results from thread milling soft or gummy material.
Thank you both for your comments.
- Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread