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Electroforming Alloys

2000

Is it possible to electroform alloys like nichrome, or more specifically "alloy 600"? (from Inconel, Ni,Cr,&Fe). If so, what are the specific chemicals involved, and other needed parameters?

Finished product would be small blade like structures, varying in size from about 3/32" wide by .015" thick to .032, .041 or .062" round in diameter, and would be used as a specialized heating element (upwards of 1800 F or more). Any advice on any other heating element alloys that might electroform better (even the cobalt ones) is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Pat Lamusga
- Browerville, Minnesota USA

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You will not be able to electroform a chrome-bearing alloy, and any alloy at all is difficult. Berl Stein at NiCoForm [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] does development work and may be able to electroform sample parts in nickel-cobalt if that helps.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2000

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2000

To Pat Lamusga:

Chemical Vapour Deposition of various metals DO allow for forming alloys. We have experience of nickel alloys especially, such as iron-nickel and boron-nickel for softening, or hardening, nickel respectively.

The interesting thing about the vapour process (CVD of nickel) is that we can, for example, deposit a hardened surface layer of nickel and back it (in the same continuous depositing process, by modifying the gas mixtures) with pure nickel. This process avoids any concerns about delamination of a hard coating from a substrate; it avoids an unnecessary manufacturing step; and it also minimises the residual stresses that can occur when nickel is hardened.

Maybe CVD technology will give you a new range of solutions, or at least a new way of thinking about the problems!

Also, there is a significant advantage in using CVD of nickel compared to electroforming, in that the process is up to 25 times faster than electroforming. We grow nickel at a rate of 1/4 inch in one day!

Sincerely

Mick O'Meara
- Toronto, Canada

I want to know about the electroforming of various metals including it's principle, experimental techniques and parameters.

Saravanan
- Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
2002

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Saravanan:

I'm not sure why you are having trouble locating info on that subject, Saravanan. But to the right we have added links to some "Electroforming" books at amazon. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2002