Thursday, October 17, 2013

A New Look Of Metallic Art With Brass Plating

By Chasity Sheppard


Brass may not be one precious metal like gold and silver but it has known to very popular and useful for years. Its exceptional beauty that comes along with great function becomes the reason for its demand in the industry. A technique called brass plating has also been the favorites as this enhances the decorative look and quality of the material.

General information and stories have suggested a several significant benefits that are experienced with metal plated materials. This does not only enhances physical appearance but also its corresponding performance. As most would have observed, metals have the nature to deteriorate as shown in its rusty look and in some, a squeaky sound.

For metal lovers, this technique becomes a hobby or business that addresses particular matter with metal products. When incorporating a thin layer of brass to a substrate, a process called electroplating is usually done. This requires the presence of a substrate or the object used to apply the plate, a chemical bath and a source of electric current.

In detail, the substrate is immersed in a bath that is filled with a chemical solution called cyanide or at times, other related solutions. Companies refer the use of cyanide specifically for brass coating as this really has a good reaction with it. As the process continue, electrical current is used in order to create a reaction that binds the substrate and solution which further makes up the plate.

It has been said that thickness of the coat or plate can be most detected in the specific time is spent to the material being immersed. Sometimes, this would also depend on the chemical and to the container being used. Companies have the specific protocols regarding the length of time and the configuration of tank utilized that would also meet their desired output.

Another factor that needs to be considered is the temperature of the chemical bath which influences the rate of the plate. The temperature usually ranges between 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 to 40 degrees in Celsius. Moreover, a rule suggests that a 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 degrees Celsius temperature can make the plates grow twice as long as the usual range.

In choosing for a container in metal plating, there are different kinds one could choose from and it also has corresponding mechanism in applying the plate. Mostly used are barrels and tanks depending on the sizes of the objects. Barrels are usually used for the small ones to maximize space while tanks for larger sheets of metal.

Although most plated items have only a thin layer of coating, there is always that possibility that it may deteriorate earlier then expected. In as much as to address this issue, a lot of information are made available online to educate people on tips to maintain the coating. Many suggest that there is a proper way of polishing these items without totally ruining the plating.

How astonishing it is that brass items of long ago can actually still be treasured for a longer period of time. Indeed, a high maintenance is very needed when it comes to preserving these wonderful metallic art. Whether if these are for decorative purposes or for a certain function, brass plating can always ensure their longevity of use.




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