Industrial Electroplating vs Decorative Plating

Industrial Electroplating vs Decorative Plating

Decorative Metal Platers – Overview

This group of Electroplaters concentrate on following coating specifications intended to primarily elevate the aesthetic appearance of a product. This is especially true in the jewelry industry, where plating is used to enhance mid-priced items with a coating of silver, gold, platinum, or other attractive metal. The objective is to simply make the end product appear more appealing and valuable. And in fact, there are even DIY (Do It Yourself) plating kits available to consumers for achieving this cosmetic result.

Industrial Electroplaters – Overview

Industrial Electroplaters focus on meeting very exact specifications designed to deliver functional performance advantages that go well beyond aesthetics. These specifications are often carefully defined and strictly regulated by industries like aerospace and medical that require reliable, consistent plated part performance.

Industrial Electroplaters achieve these controlled plating results by carefully administering a process called “electrodeposition.” With electrodeposition, the substrate material to be plated is immersed into an electrolyte solution that is saturated with select chemical additives. Among these additives are ions of the specified plating metal. Direct electric current is then strategically introduced, creating a bond at a molecular level that securely adheres plating metal ions to the component as and where required. The result is a deliberate “electroplated finish” that is stronger and more permanent than simpler surface-coating applications could offer.

Functional characteristics enhanced with Industrial Electroplating include:

• Electrical Conductivity
Industrial electroplating can enable, enhance, limit, and strictly control the flow of electrical current.

• Corrosion and Oxidation Resistance
Plating on industrial parts Provides a barrier more impervious to corrosion and oxidation than the substrate material it covers.

• Chemical and Contaminant Protection
A n important benefit of industrial plating is the shielding of the substrate material from harmful or property-changing chemical reactions.

• Abrasion and Friction Reduction
Protective plating serves as a coat of armor that can extend part life by increasing lubricity between moving parts.

• Temperature Tolerance
Electroplating on industrial parts can reduce or even eliminate the negative effects extreme hot and cold have on desired performance characteristics.

• Strengthened Adhesion
Industrial Electroplating can Improve the bond between the plating layer and substrate being plated,. It can also strengthen the bond between other materials and the plated surface.

• Strengthened/Altered Tensile Properties
Plating for industry can create a more rigid, supportive, or more pliable part to better meet specified performance needs.

• Superior Surface Finish
Industrial Plating requires exacting control of chemistry and process, resulting in a wide variety aesthetic finish and texture options. This plating control also yields a superior finish free of performing-retarding surface anomalies.

• Quantity Economies
Industrial plating can provide cost economies through efficient plating procedures, and through raw materials costs. This is especially true for large output programs where substrate materials are purchased in large volumes to meet anticipated supply demands while reducing material cost through economies of scale.

• Extended Lifespan / Enhanced value
Collectively, Industrial electroplating improves the functional longevity and therefore value of plated components and parts parts.

Conclusion:

Industrial electroplating focuses on meeting exacting specifications for coverage area, plating properties, consistency, and efficiency. For large-quantity plating programs where physical properties and part performance cannot be compromised, Industrial Electroplating is the best choice — and the best Industrial Electroplater is Summit Plating!