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Plating Problem

I presently have a product that is a terminal used to attach quick connect female connectors. One of our customers is located overseas and we presently are having rusting issues.

The material is .030 CRS C1008/1010 4 Temper and the plating specification that we use is :

UNDERPLATE: COPPER .00005" - .00015"
TOP PLATE : 100% BRIGHT ELECTRO-TIN .00015" - .00035"

Not sure why we are using this specification. The only reason I can justify this specification is that we have been told by our other customers that we supply similar terminals that this spec. is what we need to use.

Is there something that can be done to eliminate the product from rusting?

Rob Jaruse
- Brockton, Massachusetts
2003

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Rob~ Suggest you use a water displacing preservative, if that would be permitted by your customer. Similarly, airtight packing, and sealed containers. You did not say if the parts are going via boat or plane. If by boat, the large containers on vessels can "breath" according to the temperature in the hold of the vessel. Expansion and contraction can actually suck salt air into the container in transit and cause remarkable rusting. Better packaging usually can cure the problem, and water displacers add to the protection. Ed Budman [dec] - Pennsylvania With deep sadness we advise that our good friend Ed passed away Nov. 24, 2018 Zinc nickel plated directly on the steel will provide the protection you need. Ask your supplier about zinc nickel plating. Don Baudrand Consultant - Poulsbo, Washington (Don is co-author of "Plating on Plastics" [on Amazon or AbeBooks affil links]            and "Plating ABS Plastics" [on Amazon or eBay or AbeBooks affil links])

Our company orders a lot of parts from overseas. Usually the goods are shipped by ocean, this can cause the rusting problem. I don't believe the plating is the true cause. Maybe check a bit more on packaging.

Xiao Liu
- Nashua, New Hampshire
2003