Plating has been inexistence from hundreds of years. In simple words, plating is a process where metal is deposited in conductive surface and a surface covering is then achieved. Modern technology benefits a lot with this plating technology as there are variety of uses. This is a practical and efficient approach to make a specific material hard, corrosion inhibition, decorate objects, improve soldering ability, improve paint adhesion, reduce friction, and so on. Here are some of the plating procedures and types that are most commonly used.
Electroplating
This is one of the most common plating procedures used widely in the industry. In this procedure an ionic metal is supplied with electrons so that a non-ionic coating can be formed. This can be formed on a substrate or a base material depending upon the need of a project. Often times, this involves chemical solution anode which takes ionic form of metal, and the cathode is where electrons are supplied so that a film of non-ionic metal can be produced. Depending upon the material on coating or combinations of various coatings there are numerous possibilities that can be achieved.
Gold plating
This is also a widely used plating option where a thin layer of gold is deposited on the surface of metal or glass. However, this is most commonly opted for copper or silver products. Gold plating provides anti tarnish properties and so it is considered to be the best alternative for decorative purposes and electronics as well. This plating also offers good conductivity and as a result it works out to be the most opted for option in the electronics industry. It offers hard wearing properties to the components being plated and so you can use these products for a really long time.
Silver plating
This is yet another commonly opted for alternative to the gold plating. Silver plating is an electrolytic process and it is most commonly applied over preliminary copper or nickel coatings. This plating is widely used in decoration and functional purposes. However, for these components care should be taken so that there is no exposure to humid environment because this can cause flaking and expose the substrate.
Several types of plating used in industry
Industries are comprised of numerous components that help in producing great quality products. When it comes to plating, there are numerous types used in the industry. Here are some of the most commonly opted for plating types.
- Copper electroplating
Copper is used in several industries ranging from decorative to industrial metals. The material has a great ability to adhere well with various substrates and plates well. As copper is good conductor of electricity, it is widely used in several engineering options. In this plating, a layer of copper is deposited on substrate. This works as a mask to prevent any carburizing and also becomes anti-seize surface. These services are opted for by many industries across the globe.
- Barrel plating
Barrel plating is used in a wide range of industries across the globe. In order to achieve the right results, an industrial container is used and is submerged in a wide range of chemical baths depending on the desired results. This process is designed in a way that ions present in the electroplating solution can attach to the surface of the used object. The projects containing durable and small parts with large workloads are often barrel plated by most companies. During this process the parts are tumbled in the container and the durable parts survive the wear and tear caused during this process. This is a preferred choice where high level of efficiency is required and the best thing is that this process is less labor intensive.
- Rack plating
The industries opt for rack plating when parts being used are too delicate, fragile, complex or just too large. The parts are attached to racks and then dipped in a plating solution that is then followed by electrical current. This type of plating comes with a higher price tag because it is more labor intensive compared to the barrel plating. In this process, uniformity is challenging to achieve and so all steps need to be carefully planned and executed. This needs right equipment and experienced team of professionals so that the end result is nothing less than perfect.
Plating a great boon to industries
The above and many other plating options are a great boon to the industry in several segments. Without plating there are numerous limitations with some materials, and going just for a certain material being plated could prove to be really expensive in major industrial projects. Plating not only helps to treat the material but it also helps to preserve it for a really long time. All of this makes it possible to get a product that is long lasting and inexpensive at the same time.
Eigen’s expertise in plating
Eigen has over two decades of experience in providing the most efficient to customers across the globe. With a capacity of providing more than 50 million components per annum, there is hardly any industrial need that Eigen cannot fulfill.
Eigen has quality assurance in every step of the process. The hard working and dedicated staff working here ensures that nothing is left to chance, and even the seemingly minor task is taken care of in the most professional manner. The ISO certifications are a proof of several years of hard work, dedication and continuous progress towards providing the most efficient services to clients spread across the globe.
