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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Electroplating protection against seawater: zinc or nickel
We are a manufacturer of equipment used in harsh outdoor environments. I would like to know what is the best protection from seawater for load cells made from high strength steel. Currently we use a zinc plating with chromate finish and yet on one job the customer specified nickel plating. I am confused by this. I thought nickel plating was not good for sea water. Maybe cadmium is the way to go but I don't know much about this either. Please can you help?
manufacturer of geotechnical instrumentation - Lebanon, NH, USA
2004
2004
Barrie,
It all depends on how many years the component is expected to stay un affected by sea water. And it all depends on whether its sea air, spray, or continuous sea water immersion as exposure condition required to be resisted.
However if your client has specified Nickel , possible means previous zinc plating was insufficient protection.
You will do well to get the specs sorted into salt Spray life first. Thats between you and client. Thereafter a good number is possibly as below.
Plate Semi Bright Sulfur free Nickel. 25 to 35 microns ..or more.
Plate Bright Nickel as Optional top.. 10 to 20 Microns if a bright finish is specced in.
Alternatively just plate SB Nickel to 40 - 50 microns.
Plate Chrome to 0.5 microns. This may possibly be the best you could do to meet harsh sea water corrosion.
Regards,
Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016
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