Evaluation of Electroless Nickel-Plated Stage Control Valve Bearings

摘要

Four electoless nickel-plated SKF-1308J stage control valve bearings installed in the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) cascade as part of the Cascade Improvement Program (CIP) were removed in May 1976 for evaluation, after 1.5 y of service. Corrosion products located in and around the bearings were sampled for chemical analysis. The bearings were electroless nickel-plated in the Plating Development Laboratory of the Special Services Department before the bearing plating production process was installed by the Chemical Operations Division in March 1975. Three of the four bearings examined were in excellent condition after 1.5 y of service in the ORGDP cascade. Damage (estimated to cover about 1% of the area of each bearing) was found on the three bearings. There was no evidence of undermining of the plate in the damaged areas. The fourth bearing showed signs of lamination attributed to manual handling during the plating cycle. The equipment design incorporated into the K-1420 Bearing Plating Facility completely eliminates any handling during the plating operation. (ERA citation 11:006976)