Certain surface preparation methods, such as abrasive blasting, may also help to improve adhesion. You can also use a cyanide solution with the copper solution, but it's important to note that cyanide is highly toxic. Sometimes, to improve the adhesion of copper to stainless steel as well as other metals, you can strike a nickel layer before plating the copper. Many different industries, including the aerospace and electronics sectors, rely on copper electroplating. It's often used for semiconductors and printed circuits. It's also used as heat treat stop-off for masking, an undercoat to improve adhesion, a treatment to prepare surfaces for soldering and in several other applications.

It also won't separate from other metals even if it gets bent.Ĭopper electroplating is used in many applications that require high electrical conductivity and plating thickness. Combining the conductivity of copper with the strength of stainless steel is valuable for a variety of applications. Copper is useful because it's soft and malleable, which makes it perfect for use with flexible metal materials and objects. CopperĬopper is used mainly for its excellent conductivity. What types of metal can be used for stainless steel plating? Some of the leading options are copper, rhodium, zinc, nickel, gold and platinum. Types of Metal Used For Stainless Steel Plating You may also need to plate stainless steel to add certain qualities to your components that aren't present in stainless steel. For example, if your part requires higher surface conductivity or needs to be more solderable, as is the case for many computer components, you can plate the stainless steel part with nickel to enhance these attributes. Many people like the appearance of stainless steel, but a precious metal overlay will add an aesthetic element. For example, you may want to alter the appearance of the stainless steel using gold or silver plating. The other reasons to plate stainless steel are the same reasons you might plate any other component. This is not always easy in low-oxygen environments or environments with poor air circulation since the chromium forms its protective layer by binding with oxygen. Therefore, if your industry calls for you to use your components in these kinds of environments, your stainless steel may need an added layer of protection. Why plate stainless steel? Although it is already corrosion-resistant, the protective effects of chromium only work if it can form a chromium oxide film. Then, we deposit the metal finish using standard electroplating methods. We can electroplate carbon steel and alloy steel as well. Before plating stainless steel, we prime it with a nickel strike to enable the plating to adhere to the steel. Yes, plating onto stainless choice is an excellent choice for various applications. SPC can electroplate your stainless steel products using the same techniques we use for electroplating any other parts. The chromium in stainless steel reacts with the oxygen to create a chromium oxide film, which has the opposite effect of the iron oxide, becoming a protective layer that blocks further oxygen penetration into the seal and its subsequent corrosion. This causes the surface of the steel to flake off.

When typical steel is exposed to air or water, the iron quickly bonds with oxygen to form iron oxide, or rust, which in turn accelerates the oxidation. It is an alloy steel that contains at least 10.5 percent chromium, which makes it highly resistant to oxidation. It is also known as inox (for 'inoxidizable') steel or corrosion-resistant steel. Stainless steel is steel that does not corrode.

Raw chromium plating