Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Chrome plating of leaded brass -- Influence of material composition on appearance
Q. I am doing research work at UW-Milwaukee in metal surface finishing and machining. My question is in regard to electroplating (Chrome plating) leaded brass. If the chemical composition of brass changes in regard to content of Copper,lead,Zinc,Iron and silicon will the appearance of the surface after chrome plating (specifically the shine) have an impact. Surface finish of the brass body after polishing is ~12 to 16 microinch.
Roman Edrik- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
2000
A. Hi Roman. When properly polished and nickel plated, then chrome plated, you should have no clue of the substrate composition from the appearance. You will probably, however, have a very good indication of what the surface finish was prior to plating. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2000
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Q. Want to know how much a chrome plating machine will cost. A. Hi Scott, chrome plating lines might sometimes cost as little as maybe $1000, but sometimes as much as $5 million. What do you intend to do with it, because plating is a highly regulated business in America due to the toxicity of hexavalent chrome among other things. Plating lines aren't usually called "machines" because a series of custom designed tanks or vats with chemicals in them, and the related auxiliary equipment like exhaust systems, fume scrubbers, heaters, filters, and power supplies is the most central element. Good luck. Q. I have around 2000 lm of brass handrail and I want it to look like stainless steel finish in order to avoid cleaning please give me solution to chrome plating it on site since it very hard to remove |
Chrome spotting on leaded brass
Q. My situation: Spotting on chromed part is caused by larger then normal lead deposits in the brass alloy micro-structure. Would a thicker copper layer make a more even connectivity allowing the nickel and chrome layers to cover without spotting? Hence, eliminating the spots.
Gary McCormickIntern - Michigan
June 13, 2018
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