Plating a spring?

[woodjames]

What's the scoop on plating a coiled up spring? I've seen it done before. Does it have to be "stretched" out while plating? Thanks in advance.

[NOL4154]

James,
First, what is the purpose of the spring? Second, what type of plating?
What you need to known is that plating has internal stresses and need to be control. Write back
Nol4154


What's the scoop on plating a coiled up spring? I've seen it done before. Does it have to be "stretched" out while plating? Thanks in advance.

[woodjames]

Copper nickel chroming a return spring for a brake lever. The lever is depressed and the spring returns it's position.

Originally Posted by NOL4154

James,
First, what is the purpose of the spring? Second, what type of plating?
What you need to known is that plating has internal stresses and need to be control. Write back
Nol4154


What's the scoop on plating a coiled up spring? I've seen it done before. Does it have to be "stretched" out while plating? Thanks in advance.

[NOL4154]

James,
I am assuming that it is carbon steel. You can plate the spring but make sure your nickel brighting system will give a good ductile nickel. The hard part is plating in the areas of low current density. Your rack may need some thought in order to place extra anodes for coverage in the hard areas. I been visiting some plating shops and have seen interesting racks for springs, bearings, etc... Good luck.
Nol4154

Copper nickel chroming a return spring for a brake lever. The lever is depressed and the spring returns it's position.

[lcaswell]

Originally Posted by woodjames

Copper nickel chroming a return spring for a brake lever. The lever is depressed and the spring returns it's position.

You don't need to stretch it out - just plate it normally.

[CarWiz]

I like to stretch the extension springs a little. It keeps the plate from bridging the contact point and making for an ugly plate and possibly creating unplated areas. Compression springs are already open except the ends. The LCD areas between the coils are really negligible on all but very large springs (suspension, etc.) The area is normally covered by the throw and ions from the solution.

[NOL4154]

James,
The scoop on plating on springs. First what is the spring being used for.
If the spring is going to be exercise (meaning going to be press and release) alot. The choice of plating is important because you do not want it to peel or crack. Nickel sulfatemate or electroless nickel is the choice. The secret is the stress placed on the plated layer. No you do not stretch the spring.
Nol4154



What's the scoop on plating a coiled up spring? I've seen it done before. Does it have to be "stretched" out while plating? Thanks in advance.
__________________
James Bateman

[woodjames]

That makes sense. Often times the wire that I use to hang the piece cannot take being bent too much, cleaned and activated along with the workpiece. I'll see if I can find someone to Electroless nickel the pieces for me. I'm pretty sure Carwiz does electroless, maybe I can work something out with him...

Originally Posted by NOL4154

James,
The scoop on plating on springs. First what is the spring being used for.
If the spring is going to be exercise (meaning going to be press and release) alot. The choice of plating is important because you do not want it to peel or crack. Nickel sulfatemate or electroless nickel is the choice. The secret is the stress placed on the plated layer. No you do not stretch the spring.
Nol4154



What's the scoop on plating a coiled up spring? I've seen it done before. Does it have to be "stretched" out while plating? Thanks in advance.
__________________
James Bateman