Scratched plating on cheap multitool. It’s pink?!

[ChopperCharles]

It looks like some of the tools are chrome plated. Hitting them with a file or accidental scratching shows a layer of pink plating under that. If these tools are plated they’re not stainless right? What would they be? The stainless file from another multitool is cutting these easily.

Charles.

[Don Pablo]

Could be copper. 
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper

[Poncho65]

Learned plenty from that link Pabs Very intersting

[Don Pablo]

Yeah, until today, I always thought that copper was brown, except when oxidised (rusty doesn’t seem to fit here), in which case it would be green.
I never thought it could be pink!  Or even other colours when made into different compounds.
Simple Wikipedia for the win. 

Still, Charles mystery tools might not be copper. I can’t really imagine anyone making tools out of copper. 
In addition to being a very unsuitable metal, isn’t it very expensive?

[Vidar]

I can’t really imagine anyone making tools out of copper. 
In addition to being a very unsuitable metal, isn’t it very expensive?

Pure copper is not very usable, but throw in another metal or two and you have bronze. Some bronze alloys are quite usable, and bronze of copper/ aluminum are often used for non-spark tools in explosive environments. It costs a lot more than steel so from that perspective it doesn't really make sense for normal use.

As for the mystery metal nickel might be hiding under the surface of plated item. (If the actual plating wont stick to the object, and or nickel will stick better, a little layer of that first will help).

[ChopperCharles]

I believe what it is, is in the chrome plating process they deposit a layer of copper, a layer of nickle, and a layer of chrome. I filed through the chrome and nickle to see the copper. I filed through that too, and there is a stainless-like material underneath.

Charles.