Plating is the deposition of metals in solutions onto a substrate. Depending on the plating process applied, plating can provide improved corrosion resistance, wear resistance, electrical conductivity, lubricity, solderability, and decorative properties.
Black Nickel is electrolytic nickel plating with a secondary treatment to turn the surface black. This plating will provide corrosion resistance and maintain electrical conductivity while reducing reflectivity on the surface.
Standard Specifications
MIL-P-18317
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Low Reflectivity
Corrosion Resistance
Good Conductivity
Decorative
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Stainless Steel
Brass
Steel
Copper
Bronze
Thickness
.0001-.005″
100-5000 uin.
Max Part Size
27″ x 18″ x 42″
500 pounds per part
Copper Plating is electrolytic plating that deposits a layer of copper onto the substrate. This process is typically used to provide an anti-seize surface, as a mask to prevent carburizing on surfaces during heat treating, and to enhance solderability. Copper plating can be used as an under plate for difficult to plate alloys as well as electromagnetic shielding.
Standard Specifications
AMS 2418H
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Good Solderability
Excellent Conductivity
Good corrosion when used as undercoat
Inhibits electromagnetic interference with thickness of 1 mil of plating
Throws very well
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Stainless Steel
Steel
Brass
Bronze
Copper
Thickness
.0001″-.001″
100-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
24″ x 20″ x 12″
35 pounds per part
Yielding excellent wear and corrosion resistance, electroless nickel is an autocatalytic plating process resulting in a reflective layer of nickel phosphorous. The total build up plating process provides uniformity on all surfaces, making post machining unnecessary when dimensions are accurate.
Electrolytic Nickel plating deposits nickel onto the metal substrate. This plating provides corrosion resistance, wear resistance and is also used for decorative purposes.
Standard Specifications
AMS-QQ-N-290
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Decorative
Corrosion Protection
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Stainless Steel
Steel
Brass
Bronze
Copper
Thickness
.00005-.001″
50-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
27″ x 18″ x 42″
Functional Hard Chrome is the premier wear resistance plating process offering enhanced tribological characteristics.
Pioneer’s Functional Hard Chrome capabilities focus on Engineered Surface Micro-Finishes (ESM™) for mission critical applications. The ESM offering combines the highest performing Functional Hard Chrome with surface finish engineering to optimize the performance of critical components. ESM services include grinding, honing and polishing. Large size component capabilities up to 48” diameter, 19 feet and 10,000 pounds.
Standard Specifications
QQ-C-320
MIL-C-20218
LW-128-KAC (Komatsu)
JDMF24 (John Deere)
1E0586 (CAT)
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
65-70 Rockwell
Very low coefficient of friction
Corrosion resistant
Max Part Sizes
Diameter : 48”
Length: 19’
Weight: 10,000 lbs
Gold plating is an electrolytic plating process that deposits gold onto a substrate. Gold plating is often used in the electronics industry for its conductivity and long term corrosion resistance.
Gold Plating Types
Type I Hard Gold 99.7% gold purity, Hardness 130-200HK
Type II Hard Gold 99.0% gold purity, Hardness 130-200HK
Type III Soft Gold 99.9% gold purity, 90 HK max
Code A: 90 HK25
Code C: 130-200 HK25
Applications
Type I High reliable electrical contacts
Type II Wear resistance (hard) and cosmetic jewelry
Type III Semiconductor Components, Nuclear Engineering, Thermosonic Bonding, Ultrasonic Bonding, Solderability, High Temperature Exposure
Standard Specifications
MIL-DTL-45204 Type I, II & III
ASTM B488 Type I, II & III
AMS 2422
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Corrosion Resistance
Heat Resistance for Type III
Hard Gold used for some wear resistance/functional properties
Excellent Solderability
Conductive Plating
Cosmetic/Jewelry/Bright Finish
Gold contacts should not be mated to tin contacts
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Stainless Steel
Steel
Copper
Brass
Bronze
Thickness
.00001-.0001″
10-100 uin.
Max Part Size
Hard Gold= 12″ x 12″ x 12″
Soft Gold= 12″ x 12″ x 6″
All parts must weigh 35 lbs or less
Nickel Sulfamate is an electrolytic plating process that provides a highly ductile plating surface with low internal stress. This plating is considered functional with a matte appearance.
Standard Specifications
ASTM B689 Type I or Type II
AMS-QQ-N-290
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Excellent Solderability
Ductility
Good Conductivity
Used as an underplate for subsequent plating to improve corrosion resistance and inhibit copper migration on copper alloys
Corrosion Resistance
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Stainless Steel
Brass
Steel
Copper
Bronze
Thickness
.0002-.001″
200-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
27″ x 18″ x 42″
500 pounds per part
Silver plating is an electrolytic plating process that deposits silver onto a substrate. Silver plating is often used in the electronics industry for its conductivity and solderability.
Type I- 99.9%
Type II- 99.0%
Type III- 98.0%
Standard Specifications
AMS 2412J
ASTM B700 Type I, II, or III Grade A Class N or S
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Best Conductivity of Precious Metal Platings
Excellent Solderability
High Reflectivity
Class S (supplementary treatment to keep plating from tarnishing, is not for food service applications)
Grade C can be obtained if Grade A is polished to achieve brightness desired
Anti-Galling
Aesthetics
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Stainless Steel
Steel
Copper
Brass
Bronze
Thickness
.00005-.0002″
50-200 uin.
Max Part Size
24″ x 20″ x 14″
35 pounds per piece
Tin is an electrolytic plating process that deposits a layer of tin onto the substrate which provides a conductive and solderable finish.
Pioneer metal finishing offers the following tin plating options:
• Bright Tin (RoHS Compliant)
• Matte Tin (RoHS Compliant)
Standard Specification
ASTM B545
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Solderability
Conductivity
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy (requires electroless nickel underplate)
Aluminum Casting
Stainless Steel
Steel (stainless and mild- requires nickel underplate)
Brass
Bronze
Copper
Cast Iron (requires nickel underplate)
Thickness
.0001- .001”
100-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
36″ x 24″ x 30″
35 pounds per part
Zinc is an electrolytic plating process that acts as a sacrificial coating to protect the substrate from corrosion. A conversion coating of chromate can be applied after zinc plating to increase the level of corrosion resistance.
Zinc plating with chromate can also be used to improve adhesion of secondary paint operations. Threaded features benefit from zinc plating because of its anti-galling characteristics. Zinc plating with black chromate offers better corrosion resistance and anti-galling characteristics than black oxide.
The zinc plating process can be considered an excellent primer for paint surfaces, with the paint protecting the zinc, giving a lasting protection. Rust, which gets under paint films and lifts them from the steel, will be inhibited from forming because of zinc plating. Should the part require longer corrosion protection, depending on end use, zinc chromate conversion coatings are used.
Supplementary Treatments
Colored Conversion Treatment Non-RoHS Compliant
Colorless Conversion Treatment RoHS Compliant
Standard Specifications
ASTM B633 Type I, II, III & V
REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant (Types I, III & V only)
Performance Benefits
Sacrificial Corrosion Protection
Paint Adhesion
Decorative
Anti Galling
Cost Effective Corrosion Resistance
Color Identification (offer black, yellow, bluish/clear available)
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Steel
Brass
Bronze
Copper
Thickness
.0001- .001”
100-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
48″ x 30″ x 24″
35 pounds per part
