Copper color connecting rods

[padam]

While these are power sports rods the process is similar...except they do not remove the copper...

This video is fascinating, I love seeing how stuff is made.
However, I think the narration is either incomplete or misleading. It doesn’t make sense that the copper plating is critical to heat treatment, when it is removed from both ends BEFORE heat treatment.
It may be that they need different properties on the ends and beams. I would like more info.

 

[j-c-c-62]

They are not dipped they are electroplated.

The normal electroplating process does require the item to be dipped in a solution for electroplating, not really an issue to contest IMO.

 

[padam]

This video is fascinating, I love seeing how stuff is made.
However, I think the narration is either incomplete or misleading. It doesn’t make sense that the copper plating is critical to heat treatment, when it is removed from both ends BEFORE heat treatment.
It may be that they need different properties on the ends and beams. I would like more info.

Now that I think about it, if they are carburizing them, it would keep the plated area from getting as hard.
Makes sense.

 

[Krooser]

This video is fascinating, I love seeing how stuff is made.
However, I think the narration is either incomplete or misleading. It doesn’t make sense that the copper plating is critical to heat treatment, when it is removed from both ends BEFORE heat treatment.
It may be that they need different properties on the ends and beams. I would like more info.

But they re-machine the ends to make sure they are parallel after the heat treat...

 

[padam]

But they re-machine the ends to make sure they are parallel after the heat treat...

Yes probably very little metal removal, not enough to remove the hard layer.

 

[matthon]

Mine has all 8 rods in copper.
383 Help/Questions, Long Storage, Unknown Parts

 

[Krooser]

I see a few in this latest 318 project plus another few hanging on the wall...

 

[toolmanmike]

.

 

[rickseeman]

If you look at aftermarket billet steel cams many cores will have the copper plating still visible between the lobes.


Google Image Result for https://www.12bolt.com/uploads/6/0/9/9/60992641/s948739236638414765_p196_i4_w2560.jpeg

I've been given the explanation on that one from a man that knows. He described the whole process to me. It had to do with the heat/chemical treatment/process. The core is copper plated. Then the copper is ground off the parts of the piece that you want hardened. Then the hardening process is done. This leaves the copper plated parts of the piece soft. He said if it wasn't done that way you couldn't straighten the cam because it would break.