chromed control stick

[cliff 45]

What is the deal with chromed control sticks on some avids being unsafe?

[EDMO 1078]

When you chrome plate steel, you have to bake it afterwards to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.  I really doubt that the chrome sticks are unsafe, since you wont put enough force on them to break them.  I do have a chrome rudder pedal torque tube from a Kitfox 3 that broke cleanly in the center when the plane was wrecked, but that probably had a lot of force on it to break it.

EDMO

Edited 31 Dec 2015 by EDMO

[Av8r3400 1179]

Hydrogen embrittlement is a problem from decades ago.  Properly plated material, using modern techniques, it's a non issue. 

Kitfox rudder bars have inherent design flaws that cause breakage.  Again I doubt the plating had anything to do with it. 

The control sticks in both of my Kitfoxes are aluminum.