Summary for corrosion resistant housing Discussion
corrosion resistant and heat conductive housing is the core challenge in this thread: Eric Allen wants a small electronics enclosure that can survive saltwater while also pulling heat into the surrounding water. He considers 316 stainless, aluminum, marine bronze, copper-tin pipe, and nickel-plated copper pipe, and asks whether home electroplating is realistic for a hobbyist. The only answer shown is brief: a contributor says Monel might work because it is used for saltwater piping on ships. No one in the excerpt confirms nickel plating, aluminum, or stainless as the best choice, so the discussion is limited and tentative. The practical takeaway is that Monel is suggested as a corrosion-resistant marine material worth investigating for this kind of housing, but the thread excerpt does not provide a full comparison or a final recommendation.
Q. Hi,
I have an electronics project that requires a housing that is resistant to saltwater corrosion but will also conduct heat away from the electronics into the saltwater. Final design will depend on the available products… But I foresee it being a housed in a piece of 2.5″ pipe less than 3″ long.
316 stainless would be great, but it’s obviously a terrible heat sink. It seems that most aluminum options eventually fail in this environment and any small scratch starts immediate corrosion. Marine bronze is available in heavy cast items not well suited to the task. I also considered Copper Tin pipe. But this looks tough to source in small quantities, and I’m a hobbyist not building an offshore oil rig.
So, I was considering nickel plating readily available copper pipe. Does this seem like the best option considering cost and small scale of my project? (Will likely need less than 6′ total if I use cut-down pieces of pipe)
Are there other viable material and/or finishing options that are easily sourced?
I’ve read some of the posts regarding needing to strike or jump start EN on copper. I am technically and mechanically capable. But have never electroplated. So I’m not sure if I’d be getting in over my head. Is this entire process something I can/should tackle at home?
Thank you so much for your insight!
Eric Allen
Hobbyist – Birmingham
Monel might work. It’s used for saltwater piping on ships.
Jim Treglio – scwineryreview.com
PVD Consultant & Wine Lover
San Diego, California
February 19, 2015