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The Use of Gold Plating in Electronics & Electrical Components

Most of the electronics we use in our daily lives contain at least a little bit of gold. While this precious metal is widely known for its beautiful, shiny appearance, it also has quite a few functional purposes that make it a sought-after material in a variety of industries. The electronics sector, though, is the […]

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A Guide To Vibratory Finishing Media

Vibratory finishing is the final step in the plating process, and it includes grinding down unwanted burrs, smoothing sharp edges and providing a polished finish. The shape, material and size of vibratory media vary depending on the parts’ material, shape and strength.

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Durability of Platinum Plating

Platinum is one of the most sought-after precious metals in the world, as much for its aesthetic appeal as for its durability, which makes it ideal for a number of industrial applications.

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Electroplating Non-Conductive Materials

Quick Links What Are Non-Conductive Materials? | The Challenge of Plating Onto Ceramics and Plastics Benefits of Electroless Plating | Electroless PLating | Using Electroplating to Complete the Process Manufacturers in a wide variety of industries rely on electroplating to provide a finishing touch for their products. Electroplating offers several benefits for the final piece, […]

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What Engineers Should Know About Electroplating

Electroplating has become an important technology in many industries, as metal coating can improve performance and durability of parts. Electroplating can be applied to a wide variety of materials to provide numerous benefits, such as better conductivity, resistance to wear and durability in extreme temperatures. Electroplating of parts can produce a better final product with […]

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Plating Precious Metals On Refractory Metals in Electrical Connectors

There are many uses of electroplating in electrical connectors, from improving corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity1 to increasing strength and longevity. Electroplating processes allow for a more conducive and reliable surface metal2 to be added to a substrate and enable manufacturers to benefit from the plating metals’ advantages without the cost3 of creating electrical connectors entirely from precious metals. The consumer […]

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Plating: An Excellent Defense Against Corrosion

Anything made from iron or steel is a prime target for the destructive forces of corrosion. Corrosion occurs due to a chemical reaction between moisture, the surrounding atmosphere and the atoms that comprise a metal substance. Corrosion is a serious problem that can lead to the premature degradation of bridges, buildings, vehicles, appliances and just […]

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Comparing Electroplating to Vacuum Metallizing

Electroplating is a process that involves depositing a metal coating onto an object’s surface1 via an electrical current. This popular process is utilized in a variety of industries2 for several different applications. Also known as vacuum deposition, vacuum metallizing involves creating a layer of metal3 on an underlying substrate that is typically made of another material. The metal coating material is […]

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The Effects of Periodic Reverse Current in Electroplating

Electroplating is a trusted method for depositing metals onto part surfaces, but it comes in several varieties. Some are better suited to certain applications. One such option is periodic reverse current plating. This method occasionally adjusts the current flow direction to modify the metal’s deposition onto a surface. It helps address some challenges of standard […]

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Plating Challenges for Plastic Parts

Plating onto plastic parts is a technique that was pioneered in response to the industrial demands of World War II.1 Now, in the 21st century, it is experiencing a resurgence in popularity — from 2022 to 2028, the electroless plating market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1%.2 Common applications for plating onto plastics include semiconductors, automotive manufacturing, consumer […]

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