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Defects in Hard Chromium Deposits Part I: Causes and Cures
The causes of and remedies for defects in hard chromium deposits are explored in the first of this two-part P&SF article from 1984. Photomicrographs and SEM (scanning electron microscope) photographs will illustrate that most defects in various hard chromium deposits arise from defects in the basis metal. These defects may be in the original metal surface or may be caused by preplate finishing. Homogeneous hard chromium deposits can be produced only by eliminating these defects. Practical suggestions and procedures will be given.
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Can Electroplated Fe-C be an Environmentally Friendly Alternative to Hard Chromium and DLC Coatings?
Electroplated FeC is an efficient surface treatment based on non-aggressive chemicals with a deposition rate of ~20 μm/h at a process temperature of 50°C. The FeC coating is carbide-free and temperature stable up to ~250°C with a hardness of 750 HV, which is comparable to frequently applied hardened steels. The FeC coating has reasonable friction properties and have high affinity towards lubricants because of incorporated amorphous carbon. Hence, for certain applications, the FeC coating might be an interesting wear-protective alternative to hard chromium and to PVD-deposited low-friction diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC’s), which are rather difficult and costly to deposit on larger items.
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Faraday's Children (and Nickel): The 40th William Blum Lecture
This article is a republication of the 40th William Blum Lecture, presented at the 86th AESF Annual Convention in Detroit, Michigan on June 21, 1999. In this lecture, Dr. George DiBari describes the search for the ideal nickel anode material and the outlook for survival of nickel plating at the end of the 20th century.
Read MoreFame for Those in Liquid and Powder
Since 2014, Products Finishing has honored those in the electroplating field by inducting them into its Hall of Fame. For 2018, we want to open it up to all types of finishing sectors.
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The Systems View in Automotive Finishes: Essential, but Overlooked - The 38th William Blum Lecture
This article is a re-publication of the 38th William Blum Lecture, presented at the 84th AES Annual Convention in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1997. This lecture reviews a number of works in automotive finishing R&D in which understanding of the overall system was absolutely essential to success, from classical nickel-chromium plating to work in vacuum/electroplated hybrids for plated plastics, electrogalvanized zinc and hard chromium in stamping dies.
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NASF Report: August 2017
The NASF Bright Design Challenge took on a new look and feel this spring with the theme “Advancing Brand Identity for the Next Automotive Era.” The competition included 12 graduate students who devoted their semester to envisioning the role of metal finishing in automotive designs for 2025 and 2050 vehicle models.
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40-Under-40: Class of 2017
Chicago’s Amanda Beach leads the 2017 Products Finishing list recognizing tomorrow’s leaders in the finishing industry.
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Looking Back - The 24th William Blum Lecture
This article is a re-publication of the 24th William Blum Lecture, presented at the 70th AES Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 27, 1983. A career retrospective of Mr. Pearlstein’s works, the lecture covered work on electroless plating, chromate conversion coatings, double-layer phenomena and dealing with cyanide wastes.
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NASF Report: June 2017
NASF invites top policy analysts and keynotes to the Washington Forum, and the industry gears up for the Sur/Fin Manufacturing and Technology Trade Show and Conference.
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Sulfuric / Organic Electrolytes and Total Quality Improvement (TQI) for Present / Future Anodizing Requirements
After the last 12 years of developmental improvements and successful operation in production and selective brush anodizing, we present formulations for the new revised three-part organic acid blend. This ionic active blend detailed here can benefit all sulfuric anodize electrolytes to meet today's more demanding quality, specifications and production requirements.
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