The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Aluminum Finish

I would like to finish an aluminum extrusion (6063) to prevent corrosion, but also allow for electrical contact to a zinc plated steel chassis. This chassis will have spring tabs that will rub the extrusion surface, so the aluminum finish must be able to stand up against some abrasion.

Keith Leicht
- Mesquite, Texas

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Depending upon the corrosive conditions present, I would guess 3-4 tenths of electroless nickel or electrolytic nickel, depending upon the shape of the extrusion (low current density areas in the interior will not get much coverage with electrolytic nickel) would probably work well.

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
 

Electroless Nickel works well for your particular application. It is conductive and provides shielding.

Todd Osmolski
- Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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Keith:

Probably the best way to solve your problem is to plate your parts with electroless nickel. It's hard (48 Rc), slippery, conducts electricity fairly well and it's one of the few materials that adheres well to aluminum without too much preparatory steps.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico