Anodized or Nickel Plating

Anyone know the fact/fiction whether nickel plating is better than anodization?

Recently I had the black anodized fuel cell from my TAFC stripped to weld in new bungs. The plater told me that he recommended that I have it electrodeless nickel plated. He claims that it provides better protection against alcohol etching on the inside of the tank and better external surface protection than anodization. He also claims its looks better longer because it provides better resistance to heat, alcohol spills, and sun exposure.

Fact or fiction?

"Speed is the function of cubic $'s...never can have too much of either!"

 

I know there is two kinds of anodizing. The one kind isn't as strong or thick. It will eventually fade in the sun. The kind you want is called hard anodizing. Its thicker and stronger.

 

Actually there are 3 common types of anodize for aluminum, chromic, sulfuric and hard. Hard anodize can be very thin, .00005 to over .005 and is fairly flexible. All anodizing penetrates into the base material by half the total process thickness, anodize .001 thick will penetrate into the base metal approximately .0005 deep.

Nickle plating on the other hand does not penetrate into the base metal and is not as flexible as anodize.

Personally, I would use anodize on metals that are susceptible to movement like side panels, belly pans and fuel tanks. Movement on nickle plated parts will cause eventual cracking and flaking, not good in a fuel tank.