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Post Plated parts rusting

February 21, 2013

Q. hello

I work for a networking equipment company and one of our Sheet Metal chassis products in Taiwan, is showing rust both around the edge and the surface within 6 months.
The parts are post plated. What is the shelf life for post plated parts? I am wondering if this was due to a plating issue at the plating house.

thanks,

Anand B
- San Jose, Califrenia

A. Hi Anand. Unfortunately, plated components generally don't have a "shelf life" like foods or pharmaceuticals. Common environmental factors can probably accelerate corrosion by a factor of 10 or more, and we generally don't control those factors for metal like we would for a food.

We'd like to help you, but if this issue is important you probably need a plating consultant. The early rusting can come from at least 3 different general sources: a plating specification that isn't rigorous enough, poor plating practice including leaving the parts moist, or storage and transit conditions that are too difficult for the parts and their packaging. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 21, 2013

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