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Tin plate of 12L14

I am having a problem with pitting of 12L14 after tin plating.

Stephen Gallen
- Glenolden, Pennsylvania, USA
2002

OK- Are you just telling the world you have a pitting problem or do you have a Question. More information is required if you have a question, like what is the exact question? with details!

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2002

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Stephen, 12L14 is a free machining steel- it has controlled amounts of 'dirt' in the steel to aid machining, in that the chips break easier. This 'dirt' will likely give you fits should you want to put a pit-free thin coating on the part. Make sure your coater knows the material- perhaps they can do some additional preparation or put on a thicker coating.

Good luck!

Lee Gearhart
metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York
2002

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12LXX is a "leaded steel" and little flakes of lead can be seen on the surface with a magnifying glass. Lead forms insoluble salts with sulphates, chlorides and many other acids, however, lead does not form an insoluble with Fluoboric Acid, therefore skip the sulphate acid salts, skip the sulfuric acid, skip the Hydrochloric acid and run your parts through 30%/vol Fluoboric Acid before plating.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

2002