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Brass plating on steel parts -- electroplating or vacuum metallization

Hi,

I am interested to know brass plating on wrought iron or steel parts. Is it possible to plate brass on iron by conventional plating process or by vacuum metallization? For small batches is it economical? Can anybody suggest? Any potential suppliers in India?

Jaladi Srinivasa Rao
- Andhra Pradesh, India

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Hello Jaladi. You'll get more and better responses if you can be more explicit. We don't know what products you wish to brass plate, or why, and it makes a huge difference. If you just need to impart a brass tone for decorative purposes, you may not really want to brass plate; you may want to nickel plate and use a brass tone electrophoretic lacquer, like many lamp manufacturers do today. This is common, and more economical and practical than brass electroplating. But if you need to apply the brass for functional engineering reasons and you use nickel and electrophoretic lacquer instead, we'll all be in trouble :-)

Please avoid the vagueness and tell us who you are, what it is that you are considering brass plating. Are they pinhead size or doors? Does small batches mean one or two, or does it mean short runs of a few thousand? Thanks!

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