I remember an incident many years ago, when working at a different fastener company a business who purchased from us several hundreds of pounds worth of Disc Springs. Within a week, we received a phone call from a very distraught customer who told us in no uncertain terms that the Disc Springs we supplied were shattering into hundred of small fragments.
Questioning the customer further, we discovered that they took it upon themselves to get the parts plated. Unfortunately what they didn’t realise was that you cannot simply electroplate this type of product. Even with hydrogen de-embrittlement, small fractures can occur within the Disc Spring. As soon as pressure is applied to the Discs, stress occurs and at this point the Disc is prone to fracturing.
Standard Disc Springs are phosphated and oiled as a finish, which is fine for normal indoor shelf life in dry non-humid conditions. However, where better corrosive resistance is required parts should be plated using non electro type methods such as mechanical zinc plate or delta tone for example.
We would be happy to discuss with you any plating / special material requirements you need according to your application.