[ATM] re: electro plating nickel

["Ellen Mackenzie" <mackenzieconsulting@sympatico.ca>]

	I know nickel reacts with aluminium, and yes it takes heat to start
the reaction as does a "thermite" reaction, but I have melted down pounds of
aluminium in iron crucibles with no reaction compared to the one I
experienced with the nickel crucible.
	I went through a fruitless exercise with all the big plating houses
in Toronto trying to get stainless components with a 4X finish chromium
plated - - - - I was told by all of them that it couldn't be done.
	I have had aluminium parts plated with chromium successfully. The
plating was extremely thin , about 1-2 microns and prevents wear and galling
of the aluminium surface.
	If I were to entertain a metal mirror, aluminium would be my first
choice because of its' ease of manufacture, The caveat with aluminium is you
do not make a metal mirror as you would a glass one. Glass is worked through
a crushing action whereas aluminium is an abrasive process.


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