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Nickel Plate as an Alternative to Stainless Steel?

We are looking to replace cast stainless steel shells with steel shells plated with electrolytic or electroless nickel. The shells get quite large (4' x 4' x 4" range), but only the inside of the shells would require the coating. They would be steel SA-516-70 , and must be rated to 300F, 45 Psig/Full Vacuum. Previously we had purchased nickel clad material where 0.025 Inch was the thickness of the Nickel.


I estimate that it would take 2.5 hours to plate electrolytic nickel on the ID. Would sulfamate nickel be option? EN as an option? Other suggestions or recommendations on process or who I should talk to about the options?

Steve Brown
Product Designer - Cleveland, Ohio
2007

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Hi, Steve. What I didn't understand from your posting is why you don't continue to use clad material. It is probably both the least expensive and the most reliable approach.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

You have hit upon the question we are attempting to address... is metal cladding less expensive and a better function coating than any alternative short of electropolished stainless steel?

Steve Brown
- Cleveland, Ohio
2007