The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Chrome plating a weldment of 12L14 and 1018

I'm working on a machining project for a class and when I'm done I want to chrome plate it. The thing is It's a hammer with the head made from 12L14 and the handle out of 1018(due to costs and the size of materials that I can get)Now I want to weld the pieces together but I'm not sure if the different metals need different processes to chrome plate or if they take plating differently. I have a way to attach the pieces after chroming if I have to but I'd rather not. So basically by joining the different steels what complications if any will I have in the chroming process?

Michael Bagley
student - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2005

---

First of two simultaneous responses --

It can be plated as an assembly if the plater includes a dip in fluoboric acid in the pre-plate activation. If he uses hydrochloric or muriatic acid, the plating on 12L14 may peel and blister. Ask your plater if he knows how to plate 12L14. Most good shops do.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2005

---

Second of two simultaneous responses --

You can weld the handle and head together. I don't run a plating shop, but I do know that the basis of your chroming will be to hook your hammer up to an electrical charge and dunk it in a bath of chemicals.

In short, if it's a good conductor it can be plated.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Shiloh, North Carolina
2005