Types and applications of plating plastic parts

It is a process that is done to create a surface with a metallic appearance on plastic substrates using electroplating.

Plastic plating is the process of electrical deposition of dissolved metal ions on plastic surfaces. Manufacturers in various industries use plastic electroplating for purposes such as protection against corrosion and wear, increasing surface hardness, improving electrical conductivity, and especially improving the appearance of parts.

There are various methods for plating plastic parts. To choose the right method, you should pay attention to the type of polymer used in the parts. Among the types of plastic plating, the following methods can be mentioned: vacuum plating Chemical plating, ABS Fanta chrome plating and...

Usually, the method of plastic plating in a vacuum is used by a vacuum plating machine to cover the base of office chairs. The created coating increases resistance to moisture and impact. It also improves durability and color stability in parts. Other applications of this method can be mentioned in sanitary valves, air industries, coating of industrial parts, etc. Vacuum plating is done in the following two ways: physical vapor deposition (PVD) Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD)

Chrome Shielder paint is a silver colloid that is also used to color chrome in plastic parts. One of the features of this color is its ease of application and no need for an expert. Chrome shield color can be used for all kinds of surfaces.

Plastic is non-conductive, so for plating some of its types, the surface of the part must be prepared before plating. In this method, the parts are placed in a chemical solution. This method is performed without voltage or electric potential difference and finally a thin layer is created on the surface of the piece. After performing this method, the piece becomes a conductor of electric current.

For plating ABS parts, it is necessary to place a layer on the plastic substrate of the parts before plating. Electroplating method is usually used for this purpose. The difference between electroplating and electroplating is that no electric current is used to deposit the coating. Rather, the deposition is done through an autocatalytic chemical reaction.

Fantachrome plating can be used for all plastic, glass, etc. surfaces. In this method, chrome paint is sprayed on the surface of the piece. A pistol is used to implement these coatings, which requires sufficient experience to achieve the best results.

To achieve the best result for plating on plastic, it is better to use the appropriate method and materials for the surface. Today, due to the wide application and attention of plastic plating in industries, there are many methods for plating plastic surfaces. For example, for ABS plating, the surface of the part must be prepared before plating, and vacuum plating is used for plating seat legs.

Plastic is a non-conductive material, therefore, in order to electroplate plastic parts, they must first be made semi-conductors or conductors, and finally, by placing them in a solution containing metal ions, a shiny final coating is created on the surface. The steps of chemical plating of plastic parts are as follows: Cleaning the part surface (degreasing with alkali) Etching process Neutralization process The process of catalysis or degradation acceleration process Coating with electroless copper or electroless nickel Electrolytic lining coating Glossy acid copper coating Double nickel coating (chrome coating with fine cracks), shiny nickel coating (shiny chrome coating)

Plastic plating can be done with different metals. Among the metals that are used for plating on plastic, the following materials can be mentioned: Copper: increasing electrical conductivity on the surface of the piece Gold or silver: increase the effect and shine of plastic parts Nickel: the most widely used metal used in the industry

The first commercial application of plastic plating was developed for use in the automotive industry. Car manufacturers were looking for a way to reduce the fuel consumption of their cars, which led to an increase in the use of lightweight plastic parts. Plating gives the appearance of plastic parts a shiny metallic effect. Today, new methods for electroplating parts of the automotive industry are widely used.

Nowadays, with the advent of chrome color products, it is possible to achieve a metal effect similar to industrial plating in a completely safe way. These products are easy to apply and create a good shine on the surface of the parts without the need for underlaying.

Creating a shiny and metallic appearance Protection against corrosion and chemicals Increasing strength and resistance to wear and impact Increasing conductivity and...