Electroplating

Electroplating is the process of plating metal with another metal. Electroplating uses a process called electrodeposition to apply metal coating on a conductive surface. This includes chromium plating, nickel plating, zinc plating, copper plating, electroless nickel plating and the associated baths, chemistries and pollution control methods.

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Combating Zinc Growth in Plating Baths

A better way to mitigate zinc growth in chloride zinc and zinc-nickel plating baths is the use of membrane anodes.

ESSENTIAL READING

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Ask The Expert 1 Mar 2024

How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium

There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.

Ask The Expert 22 Aug 2023

Prevent Plating Problems with Critical Inspections

Tanks and their contents should be regularly inspected visually and analytically. When a quality issue arises, it is important to quickly pinpoint where the main problem is by checking which parameter is out of line.

basics 17 Jun 2023

An Overview of Electroless Nickel Plating

By definition, electroless plating is metal deposition by a controlled chemical reaction.

basics 6 May 2023

A Chromium Plating Overview

An overview of decorative and hard chromium electroplating processes.

basics 9 Mar 2023

How to Maximize Nickel Plating Performance

The advantages of boric acid-free nickel plating include allowing manufacturers who utilize nickel plating to keep up the ever-changing regulatory policies and support sustainability efforts.

basics 21 Nov 2022

Zinc Electroplating

Choosing the best process for your operation.

Pretreatment Washer and Finishing Equipment

Latest Electroplating News And Updates

Electroplating 7 Oct 2024

Corrosion Protection Options for Aluminum

Seeking to understand aluminum corrosion and prevention? Jacob Weingart of Columbia Chemical offers a helpful overview of corrosion protection options for aluminum and its alloys.

aerospace 7 Oct 2024

Advancing Aerospace Connectors

OEMs looking to optimize aircraft performance and range are turning to composites and plastics, which require specific finishing treatments.

regulation 30 Sep 2024

Liquid Chrome Vs. Chromic Acid Flake

Contemplating how to continue offering chromic acid services in an increasingly stringent regulatory world? Liquid chrome products may be the solution you’re looking for.

workforce development 16 Sep 2024

Unique and Evolving Electroplating Training

Offering a standard online course as well as on-site custom courses, this training firm uses student feedback to continuously improve its courses to reach industry training needs.

Ask The Expert 11 Sep 2024

Factors Affecting Frictional Properties of Plated Bolts

To better control the friction in a bolted joint, it is essential to understand all the factors affecting it, including lubricant and topcoat.

Parts Cleaning 9 Sep 2024

Cleaning for Plating Success

A quick guide to surface preparation prior to electroplating.

Featured Posts

Electroplating 7 Sep 2024

AESF Heritage: Characterization of Deposits, Coatings and Electroforms

During the 1990s, the late Dr. Rolf Weil contributed a monthly column in the AESF journal, Plating & Surface Finishing, in which he described the various methods by which the properties of electrodeposits could be measured and characterized. Topics covered include analytical equipment, measurement methods and specific applications. Dr. Weil's practical approach, in layman's terms, aimed at taking the fear out of using sophisticated equipment. What follows is a collection of several of those columns.

Electroplating 3 Sep 2024

Mix of Automation and Skilled Employees Generates Quality

This Pennsylvania plating company’s general manager shares insights about being recognized as a Top Shop for several consecutive years as well as his thoughts about automation, customer service, hiring skilled workers, the challenges of installing a new line and more.

measurement-testing 1 Sep 2024

AESF Heritage: The 2002 Hydrogen Embrittlement Seminar No. 4: Hydrogen Embrittlement – A Personal View

This is last of four papers presented during AESF Week 2002 at the Rosen Center in Orlando, Florida on January 30, 2002, as part of the Hydrogen Embrittlement Seminar. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the research into hydrogen embrittlement at the turn of the century. The full paper on this work can be accessed and printed at short.pfonline.com/NASF24Sep4.

nasf 31 Aug 2024

AESF Heritage: The 2002 Hydrogen Embrittlement Seminar: 3. Hydrogen Management – Averting a Crisis

This is third of four papers presented during AESF Week 2002 at the Rosen Center in Orlando, Florida on January 30, 2002, as part of the Hydrogen Embrittlement Seminar. This paper covers operational, management and recordkeeping issues related to hydrogen embrittlement. The full paper on this work can be accessed and printed at short.pfonline.com/NASF24Sep3.

additive-manufacturing 31 Aug 2024

NASF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications - 10th Quarterly Report

The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. In this period, we followed our work on 3D printing anode support for solid oxide fuel cells, focusing on the thermal shock properties of 3D printed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).

measurement-testing 30 Aug 2024

AESF Heritage: The 2002 Hydrogen Embrittlement Seminar No. 2: Practical Prevention of Hydrogen Embrittlement on a Plating Line

This is second of four papers presented during AESF Week 2002 at the Rosen Center in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2002, as part of the Hydrogen Embrittlement Seminar. A practical overview of dealing with hydrogen embrittlement on the plating line. The full paper of this work can be accessed and printed at short.pfonline.com/NASF24Sep2.

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FAQ: Electroplating

What is the difference between hexavalent and trivalent chrome?

The sulfate/chloride process has shown indefinite electrolyte life, process stability, ease of use, and excellent exterior corrosion performance. From an operational performance standpoint, throwing power is much better with trivalent chromium. Trivalent chromium is also extremely forgiving with respect to current interruption (this feature eliminates the occurrence of white wash commonly experienced with hexavalent chromium). The advantages of improved covering power and uniform thickness have eliminated the need for use of auxiliary anodes for plating difficult geometries.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/how-trivalent-chrome-compares-to-hexavalent

How do you apply the 720 rule to current density anodizing?

The 720 Rule describes the relationship between the amount of current passed through an aluminum surface and the resultant anodic oxide thickness produced over time. It is known that 720 amp-minutes of current per square foot of load are required to produce one mil (0.001" or 25.4 microns) of anodic oxide.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/how-to-apply-the-720-rule-to-current-density-anodizing

How do you calculate electroless nickel square footage?

Calculating the proper square footage of work that you would be able to process through your EN bath is key for determining the proper costing for a job, as well as, providing a reference for proper bath performance. As we are trying to calculate for the square footage, or the area, that can be processed through a solution, you would also need to consider the thickness of your final product. As the thickness increases per part, the total amount of nickel eligible to be plated decreases, thus decreasing the amount of area that can be plated.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/calculating-electroless-nickel-square-footage

How is electrolysis used in electroplating ?

In electrolysis, in contrast to chemical synthesis, one can easily control the reaction rate of a system by working at a given current density, or easily select the magnitude of the driving force for the reaction by adjustment of the electrode potential. Modern electronics has greatly enhanced this inherent advantage of electrolysis by allowing current or voltage to be applied as almost any function of time.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/qualitative-approach-to-pulse-plating

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