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Powder Welding (flame-spraying)?

Hi,

I've recently read a lot about thermal spraying and powder welding. Could some one please tell me if powder welding could take the place of electroplating nickel or chromium. I ask because keeping an electroplating bath seems hard and also some toxic. Powder welding seems more primitive and easier to do. Does the coating of metal such as nickel buff to a high shine as in electroplating, and be used for decorative purposes?

Thank you,

Shawn K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2003

I have heard of powder welding being used as a repair technique rather than as a finishing technique, Shawn. Metal can also be deposited by flame spraying. But I don't think either will deposit a decorative coating.

Still, your question does not quite convey a real-world situation, but is abstract. If what you want to plate is a pinhead, most people probably couldn't tell what method was used to deposit the metal; but if you want to plate a bumper, it's going to be very obvious whether it was chrome plated or not. Your situation is rather like asking if you can make something out of wood instead of steel . . . it depends on what that something is :-)

Good luck!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003