Chroming wishbones - recommendations?
Discussion
Hoonigan said:
From what I've seen there is no such thing as a good chrome plating for suspension, they all succumb to the elements and worse than that the chrome can hide nasties underneath...
Mmm, I did wonder. I have seen it on hot rods, and obviously classic race cars, but that doesn't make it practical. Probably a very expensive idea anyway.Cheers
I used to work in the electro plating industry many years ago.Plating suspension components was a bit of a no go because of hydrogen embrittlement. It can be relieved by heat treatment but unless the plating was first class this could lead to blistering.We used to do the wishbones for Penske race cars but these were done in bright zinc with clear passivate.
teecee said:
I used to work in the electro plating industry many years ago.Plating suspension components was a bit of a no go because of hydrogen embrittlement. It can be relieved by heat treatment but unless the plating was first class this could lead to blistering.We used to do the wishbones for Penske race cars but these were done in bright zinc with clear passivate.
I'm glad you mentioned hydrogen embrittlement. Although my background is in polymers rather than metals, I worked in the Materials Lab at a major domestic appliance maker and hydrogen embrittlement was one thing I often heard mention of. Apocryphally, the death of Florian Camathias at Brands Hatch in 1965 was put down to chassis failure caused by the phenomenon.Most suspension parts that look like they've been chrome plated are actually nickel plated. Electroless nickel plating avoids the hydrogen embrittlement problem and the parts can be polished up to look almost as shiny as chrome. It is also a lot tougher than ZPP - zinc plate and passivate.
The company I used to use closed a few years back, but there are still plenty around. Just google electroless nickel plating.
The company I used to use closed a few years back, but there are still plenty around. Just google electroless nickel plating.
chromed suspension parts, especially the typcial kitcar whishbones which are made in rather thin walled material wont be accepted from most MOT testers (outside UK)....and this has a reason!!
the chroming process, especially when the wishbones are already "old", will weaken the material.
the chroming process, especially when the wishbones are already "old", will weaken the material.
GinG15 said:
chromed suspension parts, especially the typcial kitcar whishbones which are made in rather thin walled material wont be accepted from most MOT testers (outside UK)....and this has a reason!!
the chroming process, especially when the wishbones are already "old", will weaken the material.
This is also why you are not allowed to race on chrome wire wheels.the chroming process, especially when the wishbones are already "old", will weaken the material.
GinG15 said:
chromed suspension parts, especially the typcial kitcar whishbones which are made in rather thin walled material wont be accepted from most MOT testers (outside UK)....and this has a reason!!
the chroming process, especially when the wishbones are already "old", will weaken the material.
Eh? Many seven types (including mine) have chromed front wishbones as standard. Though from the post above it may be nickle plate instead I suppose, but I don't know how an MOT tester would know. And the IVA inspectors certainly didn't mention it.the chroming process, especially when the wishbones are already "old", will weaken the material.
chrome looks blueish, nickel yellowish
check out "older" racecars...lots of plated suspension parts...never chrome, always nickel
due to todays environmental laws chrome is also getting more and more expensive and most companies dont offer it anymore in western europe.
nickel-plating can still be found
by the way: nickel is a pre-stage of chroming
check out "older" racecars...lots of plated suspension parts...never chrome, always nickel
due to todays environmental laws chrome is also getting more and more expensive and most companies dont offer it anymore in western europe.
nickel-plating can still be found
by the way: nickel is a pre-stage of chroming
Edited by GinG15 on Monday 9th January 11:44
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