Explain 5 Common Electroplating Processes

In mechanical design, electroplating is one of our most common surface treatment processes for parts. Today we will take a look at 5 commonly used electroplating processes. There are many methods of electroplating, and the type of electroplating varies depending on conditions such as material, location, and application. Electroplating mainly includes "wet electroplating" and "dry electroplating".

In ordinary plating, when the plating layer becomes thicker, the gloss disappears. Therefore, by adding suitable additives to the solution, smooth glossy plating can be performed. In addition, chrome plating is one of the most commonly used electroplating, because the coating has gloss, no discoloration in the air, low friction coefficient, good wear resistance, and good corrosion resistance. Zinc and cadmium plating, etc. will change color after processing, but by chromate treatment, corrosion resistance is greatly improved, and glossy film or color film can be obtained.

Electroless plating

Electroless plating refers to the deposition of metal ions on the surface of other materials by reacting the reducing substances and metal ions of the electroplating solution without using electrical energy. The advantage of this method is that a relatively uniform film can be obtained regardless of the shape of the material. But the precipitation rate is slow, the plating layer is relatively thin, it is difficult to manage equipment materials and solutions, and it is expensive. In electroless plating, the thickness is uniform and the hardness can be increased by heating, so it can be used as a wear-resistant film. In addition, electroless plating of copper is often used in the pretreatment of electroplating on plastics.

Dry electroplating

Dry electroplating includes vacuum electroplating, vapor electroplating (vapor deposition), and fusion electroplating using molten metal.

Vacuum electroplating

Vacuum plating is a method of heating and evaporating metals or compounds in a high vacuum, forming a thin film of the metal or compound on the surface by applying the evaporated atoms or molecules to the object to be plated. Here, the thin film refers to a thin film with a thickness of less than 1 μm. Industrial applications include decoration, wrapping paper, etc., depositing aluminum on metallic sheen, as electrical applications, for resistors and capacitors. If the foundation doesn't release gas, it can use a non-metal, not just a metal. In addition, deposition methods of vacuum plating include PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). PVD uses heat and plasma energy to vaporize solid materials and deposit them on substrates. CVD is a gas that utilizes energy such as heat and plasma, including thin films and elements, to adsorb and form thin films on the substrate surface through excitation and decomposition. In addition, PVD methods also employ methods such as vacuum deposition, sputtering, and ion plating. CVD methods include plasma CVD and thermal CVD. Since there are a variety of thin film formation methods, it is necessary to make a selection after considering the characteristics and applications of each thin film.

Vapor plating

The method of obtaining metal coatings by thermal decomposition or hydrogen reduction of metal halides and carbon-based compounds is called "vapor electroplating". However, because the equipment is complex and expensive, the operating temperature is high, the material needs to be heated, and dangerous chemicals are present, it is only suitable for special fields.

Molten electroplating

This is a method of dipping the object to be plated in a bath of molten metal and pulling it upwards to obtain the metal film on the surface. When using this method, there are fewer types of metals and alloys that can be used because the melting point of the material must be higher than the melting point of the metal to be plated. The plating operation itself is simple, and a thick plating layer is obtained in a short time, but its thickness cannot be freely controlled. The plating operation itself is simple, and a thick plating layer can be obtained in a short time, but its thickness cannot be freely controlled. In addition, a part of the material may be deteriorated.