Metal plating is both a protective and a decorative process, which enhances the durability, conductivity and corrosion resistance of materials used in a huge range of industrial and consumer products.
The various processes, which are indispensable in UK manufacturing, are provided by several thousand companies. However the more complex ones, like electroless nickel plating, are offered by a relatively small number of specialists, such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/electroless-nickel-plating/. Here are four of the most common plating procedures.
Zinc plating
Zinc is a popular choice because it’s versatile and cost effective. It is applied using methods such as electroplating, hot-dipping, metal spraying and sherardising, a dry galvanisation process. Each method produces coats of varying strengths and textures. The sacrificial protection afforded by Zinc makes it ideal in the manufacture of steel hardware and automotive parts.
Chrome plating
Chrome combines aesthetic appeal with toughness. Hard chrome is useful for restoring worn components and improving resistance to wear, while decorative chrome, usually layered over nickel, produces a bright finish that is resistant to corrosion.
Nickel plating
Nickel gives durability and polish to items ranging from cutlery to machinery. Electroless nickel plating, which deposits a nickel-phosphorus alloy without the use of electricity, guarantees even coverage and strong corrosion protection on complex shapes.
Copper plating
The high electrical conductivity of copper makes it a very effective base layer for other coatings. Widely used in both electronics and decorative finishes, copper plating can be achieved using both alkaline and acid baths, depending on the intended use of the end product.
