Nickel Plating versus Anodizing

[Jerry Poole]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Nickel Plating versus Anodizing for parts such as Control arms etc? Have a local source for anodizing that does excellent work, (aircraft and mil spec), and just wondered about using them over shipping parts away for nickel plating to a source that I will not know about the quality of the work before hand. Appreciate any insight and thanks. Jerry

[S Lathrop]

The two processes are not comparable. Anodizing is a metal treatment for aluminum and plating is a treatment for ferrous metals. anodizing is a chemical treatment of the alunminum surface and plating is depositing a material on the surface.Nickel, chrome Zinc and cadmium are all plating processes.

[Rick Kirchner]

Jerry - if you go to a mil-spec house you will get the quality you are looking for. With any plating process on stressed parts you need to specify a hydrogen embrittlement bake-out afterwards.

Chrome if pretty but nickel is more durable and you can weld through it.

Another option is electroless nickel - even more durable than electrolytic and I don't believe it brings with it the hydrogen problem. I don't think you can weld through it though.

Surface finish and adhesion in plating is 100% dependent on cleanliness and prep. Many times the cost of polished parts is several times more than the plating itself. You can do a lot of that work yourself and get close to professional polished results at a fraction of the cost just by sanding with 400-1000 grit. I doubt you are looking for a show car finish.

Otherwise the plater will bead blast them and you will get a matte finish.

[Jerry Poole]

Thanks for the information on this topic. I have a place located that will do Electro less nickel plating within 120 miles of me. Think I will give them a try. Just wanted opinions on anodizing as this shop is only 5 miles from my place. Appreciate the insight!!! Jerry

[Steve Demeter]

Just an added 2 cents Electroless nickel as Rick said is the way to go if you are plating ferrous materials that are stressed. IIRC Carroll Smith says you can weld through it but it has been a long time since I read that book.