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Adherence test for chromium plating

Hello, my name is Andrés Bernal, project engineer in an electroplating shop in Colombia. We are using PAVCO's technology for duplex nickel and chromium plating. We are having some adehesion problem and would like to find out an easy test method for testing this before the parts get to our customers hands. Anyone heard about the thermocyclic test for doing this?

ANDRES BERNAL
heat treater and electroplating shop - Bogotá, Colombia
2007

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The test used would depend on if this is decorative nickel chrome or nickel-Hard chrome.
One of the simplest tests is to plate a scrap part or a coupon of the same material and do one of the bend tests.
In the USA, most people would opt for a test that is called out by their customer or one that is in a MIL spec or an ASTM or a major OEM.
One test is to heat the part to a given temp, possibly up to 700F , allow to cool and look for micro blisters. You should be doing a post plate bake, typically 375F which will blister some plate if it has poor adhesion.
A very severe test is to heat the part to about 400F and quench it.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007