The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Electroplating to simulate aged (sunken ship) metal

Can electroplating process be adapted to be used to erode steel.
I need to simulate aged steel as if it were at the bottom of the ocean for 100 years.
I work for an advertising agency that is developing a campaign that involves sending out a promotional piece that includes a rivet from a sunken ship so we need to age 400 new rivets somehow.
Appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Jim Zihal
- Centerport, New York
March 15, 2008

---

Try chemically etching them in ferric chloride ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] solution

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
March 18, 2008

Try to etch them in ferric chloride ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] solution(2-5%must work).Iron sulphate can be used too. You can add Few drops of acid . Object must be connected as anode and as cathode you can use piece of stainless steel(ordinary steel can be used too)-stronger current=stronger and faster etching. Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
March 20, 2008