Re: Introducing: Groovy! , the prototype -- Part
Actually most firms claim that EN plating has a Rockwell hardness of close to 60. As I recall, most anodized aluminum comes in around 64-68.
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Electroless nickel plating has a <font color="red">
Rockwell hardness of 59-62C,</font> increasing wear and the durability of plated parts.
http://www.componenttechnologiesinc.com/features1.htm
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and
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Techmetal - 127 The low phosphorous content of this coating brings many unique properties to the end user. An as plated hardness of <font color="red">
60 Rockwell C </font>makes this an ideal coating for aluminum and "even" tempered alloys requiring a hard surface with no heat treatment. This deposit also exhibits a higher thermal resistance than other electroless nickels and is solderable. Applications for the aerospace, defense, foundry, automotive and chemical industries.
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My personal liking for EN has to do with its toughness, repairability, and tendency not to chip, unlike anodized aluminum. If you get a nice chip in your anodized light, there is no way to hide the blemish (well, Sharpie pens excluded). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now don't hold me to this, but we are looking for a plater, and they exist, but are scarce, that can do flash hard chrome for the Groovy! The Rockwell hardness for that comes in at 70. Of course, the look changes drastically, too.