brad

Topic: Problems plating 400 series stainless

I am having great troble pleating400 series stainless my procedure is

1. Soak in SP degreaser Akaline cleaner for 5 min at 190 degrees

2. Rinse

3.. 50% HCL/Distilled Water for 1 min ( Stainless part still gasses after 1 min)

4. Rinse

5. Woods nickel strike 2 mins( stainless starts to gass in strike even before the power is connected)

6. Rinse

7. Electroless Nickel

THe problem is the parts are coming out of the woods nickel strike black with smut causing poor adhesion of the EN

I believe the 400 series stainless may be high in Carbon and Moly even high Sulfur

Please let me know what I am doing wrong

Ira Donovan

Re: Problems plating 400 series stainless

First, have you made sure your part is cothodic in the nickel strike?  Have you analyzed for any contamination in the strike, i.e. copper, iron, etc.?  For certain alloys I have processed the part cothodic 2 mins and anodic 20 seconds in the nickel strike.

Hope this helps.

Ira Donovan, M.S.F.

Ira Donovan's Website