Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----
Specifying a Salt Spray Test for Nickel-Chrome Plating
Q. We are Manufacturing Locks (Safety Equipment). We have a Copper, Nickel and Chrome Plating for Zinc Diecast components (thickness
7 + 12 + 0.3 microns) and Nickel Chrome Plating for M.S. components (thickness of Ni 12 to 15 and Cr. 0.3 microns). My question is what type of test (Salt spray/CASS) and for how many hours should it be conducted on the said components? Along with this, can you suggest ISO or ASTM specification no. also?
Thanks.
- MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
2006
A. Dear Mr. Rajendra Kumar
As per your given specifications a Neutral Salt Spray test will serve your purpose. Your products will easily withstand a life of 35-40 hours when exposed to neutral salt spray test (provided there is no porosity in your products).
If you carry out CASS test you will get results up to 12-15 hours before rusting.
ELECTROPLATERS - MUMBAI, INDIA
2006
Q. We are using M.S. plates with Copper & Nickel plating. Copper thickness is about 2 to 3 micron. Nickel thickness around 3 to 4 micron. I want to understand whether I have to follow the salt spray test for Ni plating or just plating thickness checking is sufficient.
Umesh N Khot- Mumbai, India
2007
A. Hi, Umesh,
Your question is a bit vague in that you haven't told us where you and your company fit into the supply chain. Are you the supplier of the item and selling it to the public, or a subcontractor selling your parts to someone higher up the chain but farming out the plating yourself? Or are you the plating shop?
If you are selling the item to the public, it is you who decides what quality assurance tests are required. If you don't want to run salt spray tests or to demand that your subcontractors do so, that's your choice. But you probably won't earn a reputation for quality if you don't know early on when a problem is developing, and that's the point of the salt spray testing. Good luck!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread