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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Nickel Plating on ZA -8

Need to know what is happening with a copper/nickel plating on the ZA-8 alloy. Some parts arrive with a bright shiny finish. Other parts are dull. Inspection under a 50x scope shows the bright finish as smooth with few surface defects. The dull has cracks and surface irregularities and what looks like crazing. We are an end user and do not have any plating capability. We are more concerned about the quality of the finish from a corrosion and visual standpoint The end question is do the dull parts have acceptable nickel plating on them. I can get some jpg's of the plating under the scope if needed.

Greg Massey
Banner Engineering - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
2005

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2005

What kind of components do you have in ZA8 material? On the basis of insufficient information, it would be difficult to make correct assessment
The finish you require will depend on your application.
However, smoother the surface finish, better would be the leveling and finish of the plating.Uneven surface will be prone to corrosion. If its a functional item, a reasonably smooth surface should give you the corrosion resistance you are looking for,even if the component is not shiny.

K.V.Phadnis
Balmer Lawrie-Van Leer Ltd. - Mumbai, India