Nickel vs Stainless Steel

Technical Bulletin

SUBJECT/Summary: In 2008, Convert-A-Ball Distributing, Inc. converted their chroming plant to a more ecologically friendly electroless nickel process to plate the Convert-A-Ball Interchangeable Hitch System balls and shanks.

PROBLEM: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is eliminating all small chrome plating shops by tightening the standards to the point that only the very largest operators in the United States will remain open. In May 2008, Convert-A-Ball began retooling the chroming plant to electroless nickel.

SOLUTION: According to Bob VanVleet, President of Convert-A-Ball Distributing, Inc., this process is much more environmentally friendly than the former chroming process. "It also has some very attractive advantages for the plated products including a stronger and thicker corrosion-resistant finish," VanVleet said. "Our dealers have been impressed by the quality of the initial product runs."

Electroless nickel plating is an auto-catalytic reaction used to deposit a coating of nickel on the steel balls and shanks. Unlike electroplating, it is not necessary to pass an electric current through the solution to form a deposit or use a complex alteration method. The process provides even coating on the parts surface.

"The new process allows us to plate the recesses and interior surfaces of the balls and shanks with stable thickness," VanVleet said. "That is something that we could not achieve with consistency with the chroming process."

The conversion process required stripping the plating plant right down to the concrete floor and installing all new tanks and equipment. The process is simpler and quicker than the previous chroming operation, resulting in quicker part turn-around and less downtime. The high phosphorus electroless nickel process provides superior corrosion protection with lower porosity and pit-free coating. The finish is bright and less prone to staining.

The new nickel coated parts closely resemble our solid stainless steel balls and shanks. If held side by side one can visually identify the two - the stainless has a more blue shine vs. the nickel's darker color with a hint of yellow shine. Some dealers have reported difficulty telling what part they have when only having one or the other type.

As before the conversion - all packaging of stainless steel parts bears a silver label.

In addition to visual clues, the metal itself can tell you the difference with a magnet. The magnet will adhere to nickel-plated steel and slide off the solid stainless steel.

Manufacturer: Convert-A-Ball

Bulletin Date: 07/08/2010