Electroless Nickel Plating over a press fit

[mclabough]

I would like to make a 2 piece assembly of stainless steels, and nickel-plate over top of them to create a cohesive part. Basically it is a small rod with a flange pressed onto the middle of it. The rod would be 303/304 stainless, and the flange likely a 400 series stainless or some other magnetic material with a very close TEC to 303/304.

Can electroless nickel plating be used reliably on top of a press-fit assembly like this, or would it likely crack at the seam over time?

[benjaminguarino]

I lean towards plating each component and then assembling

[Kelly_Bramble]

Plating operations and end plate thickness can be challenging to control for press fits. In general, press fit features should not b plated however, a finish that does not change as-built size is generally practiced.