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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

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1215 Steel and Alkaline Zinc Plating

2001

Good morning,

I am wondering if you could take a few minutes and respond to my e-mail.

We are having an issue with a screw machine component we make for an automotive customer. This part is made from 1215 steel, is machined and zinc plated to Chrysler Spec. PS-8955. Our customer then crimps the end of the part. We sent an initial shipment to them in which the zinc plating flaked 100% in the crimped area.

A 2nd shipment was then made from a different heat number with no issues crimping. No flaking occurred!

A 3rd shipment was made which was from the same heat number as the 2nd shipment and plated about 1 week later than the 2nd lot and this lot flaked!

Several questions I have are:

1. Are inclusions in the 1215 steel are playing a role with this issue?

2. If so, why did product from the same heat number (2nd & 3rd shipments) have different adherence (flaking) results after crimping?

3. Is there a type of material you would recommend for good machinability, plating and crimping?

Thanks in advance for your time and I would appreciate a response ASAP if possible.

Scott C. Hiscock
machining - Rochester, New York

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You will have to find the proper activation treatment for this metal. Screw machine steels are oftentimes a problem because of the alloying elements which allow machining.

Do you plate in house or do you have a jobshop which plates the part for you?

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
2001