Metal plating is a process that can help improve products that are manufactured out of metal, glass, plastic and other materials. By using either electroplating or electroless plating, the process can be carried out to give products a brand-new look or to add a rust barrier over another material. There are also a range of other benefits that come along with using certain plating metals, so let's take a closer look at when each type of plating is used and some of the most common applications for the most popular plating metals.
Many people assume that gold plating is done simply to make a product look better, and in some cases, that's true. Gold-plated jewelry has proven to be very popular over the years because it looks just like the real thing at a fraction of the cost. Gold is also known for having a high resistance to oxidation, however, and offers excellent electrical conductivity. That makes it very practical to use gold plating on products made out of copper and silver as well as electrical components that can benefit from it.
Much like gold, silver is often used for plating because it instantly improves the look of many products. Silver-plated jewelry has also become very popular, and it's even more cost-effective than gold-plated jewelry. Silver plating can also be used to improve the conductivity of electrical components. There are some limitations that come along with it – for example, silver can crack and flake over time, reducing its efficacy – but it can get the job done and offers a more affordable alternative to gold.
Nickel responds particularly well to electroless plating and can be used to coat a number of different household products. Nickel plating is often used on doorknobs, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, cutlery and more. Nickel is also capable of improving heat resistance and reducing friction wear of an item. Nickel bonds best with copper and aluminum, though other metals can be nickel plated as well.
Copper has become one of the most popular plating metals because it's one of the least expensive metals to use during the plating process. It is also highly efficient when used in plating, and offers a high level of conductivity which makes it a popular choice electronics and other electrical components like circuit boards.
If you are interested in plating any of the products that you manufacture, Lowrance Machine can assist you throughout the process. We have experience using the four plating metals mentioned here as well as other plating metals. Don't forget to check back next week to learn about other common plating metals and their uses.
Call Lowrance Machine at 281-449-6524 today and find out how we can help with your plating needs.