INCORPORATING ZINC IN LIGHT WEIGHT METAL AND ELECTROPLATING WITH BRASS STRIKE

摘要

INCORPORATING ZINC IN LIGHT WEIGHT METAL AND ELECTROPLATING WITH BRASS STRIKE A plated aluminum product, and the method of making such product is disclosed for use in automotive bumpers. To obtain plated adherency, the aluminum substrate must be in alloy form containing 1 to 8% zinc. An outer plated decorative coating is used and is prefereably constituted of chromium (.000005 to .00005") on nickel (.0003 to .003"). An electroplated pretreatment system is employed between the outer decorative coating and aluminum alloy and consists at least essentially of brass strike containing, for purposes of adherency, so as deposited copper content in the range of 20 to 75% by weight. The pretreatment system may be expanded to include a copper layer encased in two layers of brass, a first layer most adjacent the aluminum substrate should contain 60 to 75% copper and a second brass layer most adjacent the decorative coatings may contain 50 to 60% copper.