No passwords, No popups, No cost, No AI:
we earn from 'affiliate link' purchases, making the site possible

Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

  The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989

-----

Nickel Plate Turns Black After Exposed to Water

We are currently having a problem with some nipples that are attached to a aluminium manifold in a cooling subsystem. The nipples are brass that have been nickel plated. After being left in tap water for several days then exposed to air the finish turns black.

Can someone please tell me what is happening here?

Bill Forsyth
- Westwood, Massachusetts
2001

Hi Bill.

You should not leave a nickel plated parts in a rinse for a couple of days because the rinse is not clean from contamination. If the nickel comes from a bright nickel solution, it's containing sulfuric from the brightener.

Regards,

Anders Sundman
4th Generation Surface Engineering
Consultant - Arvika,
Sweden
2001

Bill,

Why would you leave nickel plated parts in tap water rinse for days? This might be whats causing you the problem in the first place.

Regards,

Joel Garcia
- McAllen, Texas
2001

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: