does chroming weaken metal?

FiveO

Founding Member

Jan 28, 2001

1,146

0

0

NJ

Aug 5, 2004

#1

• Aug 5, 2004

• #1

i heard somewhere that it does something to metal that makes it not as strong as it would be. anyways, i was wondering about bbk's chrome headers... they would last under daily driving as long if not longer then regular flowtech black painted shorties wouldn't they? i just can't decide flowtechs for the price or chrome bbk's...30 bucks more...

 

408stroker5.0

The world would be a better place if all males jus

Mar 10, 2004

639

0

16

Bonnyville, Alberta, CANADA

Aug 5, 2004

#2

• Aug 5, 2004

• #2

Don't go with Flowtech's... there basically cheap crap to keep it simple. BBK's are a good quality header and I would definetly spend a little more and go for them over the Flowtech's. As for the Chrome finish it will turn blue after a while, but it won't really rust and does look better then other painted black header's that turn into a rusty type color after a couple hours of use.

Shon.

 

N

Nosfurato

Founding Member

Apr 8, 2002

296

0

17

Indiana

Aug 5, 2004

#3

• Aug 5, 2004

• #3

FiveO said:

i heard somewhere that it does something to metal that makes it not as strong as it would be. anyways, i was wondering about bbk's chrome headers... they would last under daily driving as long if not longer then regular flowtech black painted shorties wouldn't they? i just can't decide flowtechs for the price or chrome bbk's...30 bucks more...

Click to expand...

I cant really say for sure, but as I understand it.. the first step of chroming is a quick acid dip (removes any contaminents) .. but they dont leave the parts in the acid for verry long.

Then, its off to a copper bath. (helps seal any inperfections in the surface) Then, off to a nickel, chromium bath. this usually lasts around 20 mins or so.

When the parts are removed. they are inspected.. and buffed accordingly.

BTW, this is a highly toxic process. Best left to the pro's

Nos.

 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions

Mar 10, 2000

27,512

2,813

234

Dublin GA

Aug 5, 2004

#4

• Aug 5, 2004

• #4

See http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Forms/embrittlement.htm for an answer

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

Founding Member

Jan 15, 2002

2,773

17

89

Dallas, GA

Aug 5, 2004

#5

• Aug 5, 2004

• #5

Chroming doesn't exactly weaken the metal, but it makes it more brittle. Chroming headers is a waste, it eventually turns blue. The Chrome of BBK's isn't really that chrome, it's not like a Harley Davidson chrome job.

 

S

stangjim

New Member

Feb 15, 2004

3

0

0

Orlando

Aug 5, 2004

#6

• Aug 5, 2004

• #6

Does chrome make metal weak?

The answer is NO! I am a sales rep here for Advanced Plating in Nashville,Tn. The chrome process does not hurt the metal in any way at all. If it is true "show" chrome, it will use cyanide copper to fill in any imperfections then we use hard copper to seal that. So if anything the metal is more dense (solid). The only down side is that if you use it on a piece that has to flex, it will crack and sheet off. Plus it adds weight to your pieces, so if that is an issue,then polish and clear.

 

FiveO

Founding Member

Jan 28, 2001

1,146

0

0

NJ

Aug 6, 2004

#7

• Aug 6, 2004

• #7

thats what it is..its more brittle. i don't think i have to worry about it flexing unless for some reason my exhaust gets bashed around

 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member

May 14, 2001

189

0

0

Far S.E. Arizona

Aug 6, 2004

#8

• Aug 6, 2004

• #8

"Hydrogen Embritlement" is a common problem with chrome plating. When we ran a sprint car years ago we had all the highly stressed suspension parts cadmium plated to stop the rust and pass tech. When I used to ride bicycles a lot, we went to stainless spokes because the chrome ones were more prone to breakage.
www.corrosion-doctors.org/forums/embrittlement.htm
Howard