Copper Plate on Mild Steel Base Stud Facing Discoloration

Looks like the welding heat caused it.

Change the process.

You might try a chelating agent such as Benzotriazole with the copper plating or possibly a high temperature coating such as Tediar...I would speak with an expert in this area for recommendations, you may need to try a few different approaches....

https://www.copper.org/resources/properties/protection/clear_finishes.html

You could install the copper plated bolts after the powder coating curing process, and instead of welding them in you could use a nut on one side....or epoxy them in with an industrial strength formula...

try replacing the copper with steel just for the sake of trial and see what happens.

If no discoloration happens, it must be that your process temperature reached the activation temperature for copper and mild steel to react, dissimilar metals inhibits rapid corrosion, usually.

And thank you for your problem.

http:http://google.com

I don't know the answer. Is that supposed to be copper-colored. If I entered a curing process 180-200 C, I would be red-faced too. Usually, though, I just go to a bar and sheite-faced after such an event.