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Metals Used in electroplating process
Metals are differentiate in 4 types as per there properties and type of use.
Appearance
Protection
Special surface properties
Engineering or mechanical properties
Appearance
Chromium, Brass, Gold, Platinum, Silver are metal used in electroplating process. They are often used in handicraft and jewelry industry. These metal have thick bath which are long lasting and have a composition of 1g/liter in the bath. Thickness Ranges about 0.1-0.8 μm.
Protection
Nickel, Chromium, Cadmium, Zinc, Bronzes, Palladium are metal used as protection to the base Material. These metal form a protective layer above the desired metal shielding against corrosion, rust. The metal are used in Automotive, Defense, Aerospace, Homeware industry. There thickness ranges from 15-25 μm.
Special surface properties
Copper, Palladium, Ruthenium are metal used for Special Plating Purpose because of their properties
Copper- Obtain a very shiny and leveling deposit, are now used in many sectors, from printed circuits, to electroforming and plastics metallization. These baths are typically simple to manage and inexpensive to maintain. The conductivity of the bath is very high and the current yield is close to 100%.
Palladium-For high wear applications, e.g., edge card connectors, Pd has been the preferred material due to its high hardness and excellent resistance to wear. Palladium a have been found to be satisfactory replacements of gold.
Ruthenium- Ruthenium is often used as a plating material in the production of semiconductors because of its low resistivity, high work function, durability and other beneficial properties.
Engineering or mechanical properties
Hard Chrome is not a metal but only electroplating process used for decades for and engineering mechanical purpose. The process is used in Hydraulic and Pneumatic Piston Rods and Cylinders Plastic and Rubber Rolls, Molds, Dies, Screws, etc. Automotive and Mechanical components Press Tools and Punches Print Cylinders and Plates Food Machinery Valves, Gates and Bodies Mining Equipment Timber and Paper Processing Equipment Pump Shafts and Rotors Textile Components. Electro-deposited Chrome is extremely hard, with typical values of 850 - 1050 HV (63 – 70 HRc).
OTHER SURFACE FINISHING PROCESES
Passivation
Hard Anodize
Electrolytic 2-Step Anodizing Black Oxide
Phosphate