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Satin Chrome for outdoor environment

2005

We are developing a zinc diecast enclosure to be used in the public domain outdoors from diverse environments as desert to marine and snow. It is used on a vending machine and fully exposed.

We were going to powder coat but like the aesthetic of the satin chrome.

Is there any reason why you wouldn't use this finish in this environment.

David Jones
D+I - Sydney, NSW, Australia

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Hi David ,
Its not so much the chrome that you should be worried about but the thickness of Nickel & the type of Thickness you need .
I would specify at least 45 microns of Nickel thickness , of which 30 microns should be Semi - Bright Nickel followed by a thickness of 15 Microns of Bright & Satin Nickel and then a minimum of 0.35 Microns of Microdiscontinuous chromium , this will withstand the worst of Marine side exposure . I would suggest that you read and digest Australian Standard AS 1192-2004 for a better understanding of Nickel / Chrome plating and what various thicknesses are designed to be resistant to
regards,

John Tenison - Woods
- Victoria Australia
2005