What are stopcock keys made of?
What are stopcock keys made of? |
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Electro-plated mild steel |
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Most stopcock keys are made of electro-plated mild steel. | |||
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What is electro-plating?Electro-plating is a process in which a metal item is submerged in water containing special particles. When an electric current is applied to the item, the particles adhere to the metal. In the case of stopcock keys, the coating is zinc. The zinc coating helps protect the key from corrosion throughout its life. |
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What is corrosion?Corrosion is the deterioration of a material through a chemical reaction with its environment. Rusting is a well-known example of corrosion. |
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Cast iron heads |
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Some stopcock keys have cast iron heads (the part that fits onto the stopcock head), again usually with rustproof zinc plating. Cast iron heads tend to be heavier than their steel counterparts, but are just as effective at turning the stopcock. | |||
