Hi Everyone,

Was wondering of I could get some input from any Guru on plating issues.
Need info ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here's the problem:  have a zinc plated
chassis with a base of stainless steel and the handle is brass plated with
nickel.  We have finger prints that can't be removed and a wash-like
streaking across the surface of the material.  This stuff "oxidizes" just
sitting in a room and transportation overseas only accelerates the process.
Desiccant agents don't even work.
Testing found iron oxidation randomly spaced along some finger print
patterns.  Unsuccessful attempts were made to lift the deposits using tape.
Samples were then cut for testing evaluation.  SEM/EDS analysis showed
trace elements of zinc, low levels of chrome, oxygen, aluminum, calcuim
chloride, phosphorus, carbon, chlorine, iron, potassium, silicon, and
sulfur.  Higher levels of "corrosive" chlorine were found in fingerprint
areas with small definitive locations of very high calcium.  Initiation of
the corrosion has been determined to be at the plating.

Is it possible the plating vendor is using a washing agent after plating
that contains the corrosives mentioned above and over time these elements
are leaching out and corroding the plating?  Can someone shed some light in
this issue?  We've been using the plating for 6 years and this is a new
occurrence.

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