Magnetic Rods
Why are nickel-plated rods forming whiskers and spurs on the surface?
Q. We nickel plate threaded rods. In the past three weeks, the plated rods have whiskers and spurs on the surface. What is the cause of this defect? –T.L.
A. This is a beautiful example of example of a magnetized part after being plated in a nickel bath with iron contamination. Your plating bath has small iron particles that are attracted to the rods. When they are plated, the iron particles that have attached to the threads are also plated. You can demagnetize the parts prior to plating, but a better solution is to clean up your plating bath by removing the iron. Filtration and dummying of the bath are required.
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