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Electroless Nickel on Brass Bushings/Valves

2000

Electroless Nickel: We mfr various steel bushings and steel pistons or valves for use as actuating devices, or oil pressure regulating. Bushing are mild steel with no heat treat, and the pistons or valves are steel with 60+ RC hardness. Our use is about 15 variations with a bushing OD's .8" to 1.4" with an average wall thickness of 1/8" and lengths 1.8" to 2.4".

We use 5M to 25M of each variation per year and it could become a lot more.

The bushing, being soft material, wears. Are considering using brass bushing with .0004 to .0007 E.N. plating. Also considering making the pistons or valves brass with E.N. plating. The operating fluid is similar to engine oil. Here are the questions:

1.Is brass bushing with E.N. compatible with hard steel valve?

2.If the bushing is tempered to harden the E.N. is there much shrink or growth [size change] to consider?

3.Is it OK to use hard steel valve in bushing with hardened E.N?

4.Is it OK to use brass valve with hardened E.N. in hardened E.N. bore in the bushing? The clearance is .0004 to .0001.

I really appreciate your help.

Gil Younger
- El Monte, California USA

The only potential problem I see is the brass will soften when you harden the EN.

Todd Osmolski
- Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
2000