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Okay to substitute nickel strike for copper flash?

Dear sir,

we are producing precision turning parts. one of our part having following specifications

" OVERALL 2-3 MICRONS GOLD OVER 0.5-1.5NICKEL SULFAMATE AND FLASH COPPER".

In this our plater use nickel strike instead of copper flash. He told this is good for adhesion. Please advise.. is it ok ? or not ok?

regards

Sarvanan Kumar
Quality Engineer - Singapore
July 10, 2008

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First of two simultaneous responses --

It is only OK if your customer says that it is OK.
What is the parent metal?

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
July 11, 2008

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

hi , it all depends on the base material .

what material are you plating ?

obviously , if its stainless steel , then a nickel strike would be needed .

if for example it is just steel , then nickel strike is not needed , but would need to be cleaned better if you're having adhesion problems .

hope this helps

Jay Smith
- Essex, UK
July 13, 2008

A spec is a spec is a spec. If the spec was provided to the plater than they should be following it. If they believe that a deviation from the spec is not meaningful or an improvement, they should seek the approval of the spec writer or the party who provided the spec to them.

Gene Packman
process supplier - Great Neck, New York
July 14, 2008

In the old days, when electroplated Nickel(bright or Not) was NOT an issue for costome jewelry. A copper flash on low brass or steel substrate helps to retard the galvanic corrosion process.

Hamilton Solidum
- Mays Landing, NJ
July 16, 2008