The electroplating industry is
essential to many manufacturing operations. Electroplated coatings
and related finishes are classified into three categories according
to their main function, although these categories do overlap.
Plated finishes may be used to
1. Improve the appearance of the part
2. Impart a protective surface on the
part
3. Modify the chemical or physical
properties of the part’s surface
Without electroplating and surface
finishing, our modern standard of living would be difficult to
maintain. Surface finishing plays a primary role in the electronics,
communications, and aviation/aerospace industries.
These industries drive product
miniaturization and demand increased product reliability. Present-day
surface coatings are applied to parts in a manner that meets the
designers’ requirements while using chemical solutions that are
environmentally friendly in both production processes and waste
treatment.
Of the numerous elements in the
periodic system, only about 16 are available as electroplated
finishes. Of course, the number of coating processes increases when
you include all of the alloy formulations.
Electroplating is adaptable, because it
is used on tiny semiconductor parts as well as large industrial
components. When to use a single-layer coating or a multilayer
composite is based on expert opinion and experience with the coatings
and how they perform.
Electroplate coatings are not adaptable
to all substrates, although most materials can be electroplated if
proper preplating procedures are used. If a part is to be
electroplated, some restraints on the design of the product may be
imposed so that a satisfactory coating will result.
Electroplated coatings are subject to
rigid specifications. Control documents are provided by ASTM
International as well as other associations, government bodies, and
by the internationally recognized International Organization for
Standardization (ISO).
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