Coating Technology Advancements and Advantages of Misumi Methods

When choosing components for a machine build, the material plays a crucial role in the performance and life expectancy. Popular materials such as 52100 Bearing Steel and 440C Stainless Steel bring their own advantages and disadvantages to a machine, but often need a coating applied, so the material can withstand the elements of a harsher environment. Various coating methods are available to optimize component surfaces and meet application requirements, while satisfying design functions. In addition to the usual surface treatment coating methods including burnishing, chrome plating, anodizing and metal coating (chemical, electroplating), Misumi can also provide other measures which endow components with very important properties for another range of applications. This article examines materials and coating methods by examining their properties, including the Misumi Low Temperature Black Chrome (LTBC) plating method.

Corrosion Resistance Test

The appearance of the test samples is compared with the original condition after 72 hours and 168 hours.

Black Chrome Plating
LTBC plating is a technology which uses an electrochemical reaction below 0¡ C. Through the plating process, an alloy-like diffusion layer is formed at the outer margin of the part, allowing chrome particles to completely integrate the base material and create an "inseparable" bond. This means the plating can neither be peeled off nor flaked off. The surface consists of a uniform film creating an extremely resistant rust protection layer. LTBC-plated shafts and components provide service life exceeding 10 years and, in some cases, up to 20 years and beyond is possible. Components with this plating have fracture-resistant surfaces with a high level of alternate-bending strength. The tolerances of the components remain practically unaffected. These components can be used in applications specifying corrosion resistance or minimal light reflection making LTBC suitable for use in optical applications where low light reflection is required.

Misumi offers low-temp, black chrome plating on a variety of the company's motion components, including linear shaft, linear bushings, linear guides, ball screws and others. Other Misumi hardware is also offered with this coating, including precision-class washers.

52100 Bearing Steel
Misumi offers 52100 Bearing Steel as a material for many of its components. This high-carbon chromium bearing steel features a rigid construction but is susceptible to corrosion in harsh environments.

440C Stainless Steel
An often misunderstood concept is that stainless steel will not rust. This simply is not true. Stainless steel will rust, but it rusts at a slower rate, creating the perception that it is not rusting. 440C Stainless Steel will also exhibit other corrosion properties as well, when exposed to a harsh environment. Furthermore, 440C Stainless Steel has a martensitic microstructure, which exhibits magnetic properties and offers corrosion resistance that is lower than the common austenitic grades. This material is also fit for hardening and is available for many Misumi components.

Electroless Nickel Plating
Electroless Nickel Plating (EN) is an anti-corrosion coating process used for steel, stainless steel and copper materials. It offers high corrosion and abrasion resistance and 500 Vickers hardness (HV). Furthermore, Electroless Nickel Plating (EN) will give conductivity to a non-metal surface and is a process that involves the chemical reduction of nickel ions and the deposit of nickel metal. Good for harsh environments, EN is suitable for corrosion resistance in adverse conditions and is available for many Misumi components.

Authored By Chris Blaszczyk, manager of product development, Misumi USA

For more information contact:

Misumi USA, Inc.

1105 Remington Road, Suite B

Schaumburg, IL 60173

800-681-7475 / 847-843-9105

Fax: 800-681-7402 / 847-843-9107

www.misumiusa.com

E-mail: inquire@misumiusa.com