Electroplating Surface Finish Supplier In China
Electroplating is an electrochemical process that uses an electric current to deposit a thin, adherent layer of metal onto a conductive substrate. This versatile process is widely used to enhance a part’s appearance, provide corrosion resistance, increase hardness, or improve electrical conductivity. As a comprehensive manufacturing supplier in China, Celerity Precision offers a variety of electroplating services, including zinc, nickel, and chrome. We provide a cost-effective and reliable solution for finishing your components to meet both functional and decorative requirements.
For a wide range of durable and decorative plated finishes on your manufactured parts, contact Celerity Precision, your one-stop industrial supplier.
Your Electroplating Finish Manufacturer
At Celerity Precision, we are a manufacturer that integrates electroplating as a key finishing step in our production workflow. Our facility is equipped with modern plating lines where we manage the entire process, from meticulous multi-stage cleaning and surface activation to the electrochemical deposition itself. By controlling the electrolyte chemistry, temperature, and current density, our skilled technicians can precisely manage the plating thickness and final appearance, ensuring a consistent, high-quality finish across your entire production batch.
As your direct manufacturing partner, we provide a seamless, single-source solution. We machine your parts to exact specifications and then apply the specified plated finish, eliminating the need for you to manage multiple vendors. We understand the physics of electroplating, including how to rack parts to minimize contact marks and how to account for the natural tendency of the coating to build up on external corners. This integrated expertise ensures that the final plated component you receive is not only visually appealing but also functionally sound and ready for assembly.
Simplify your supply chain and ensure quality from start to finish. Upload your project to Celerity Precision for a comprehensive quote on machined and electroplated parts.
Electroplating: Technical Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Surface Roughness (Ra) | Follows and Smooths. A bright plating bath has a leveling effect and can slightly improve the surface roughness. A smooth, polished substrate will result in a bright, mirror-like plated finish. |
| Applicable Materials | Most common metals, including Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Copper, and Brass. Non-conductive materials like plastics require a special pre-treatment process to be made conductive. |
| Cosmetic Availability | Excellent. A primary use for electroplating is to provide a decorative finish. Finishes like bright chrome, nickel, and zinc offer a clean, professional, and aesthetically pleasing appearance. |
| Visual Appearance | Varies by metal. Zinc: Bluish-silver or iridescent yellow/gold (with chromate). Nickel: Bright, reflective silver-white. Chrome: Very bright, mirror-like, slightly blue-tinted silver. The finish is typically shiny and smooth. |
Advantages of Electroplating Surface Finish
Aesthetic Enhancement
Provides a wide range of bright, reflective, and decorative finishes (chrome, nickel, etc.) to improve a product's appearance.
Corrosion Protection
Sacrificial coatings like zinc provide excellent and cost-effective corrosion resistance for steel parts.
Improved Hardness and Durability
Hard chrome plating deposits a very hard, wear-resistant layer for industrial applications like pistons and molds.
Enhanced Electrical Conductivity
Metals like silver and copper can be plated onto components to improve their surface conductivity for electronic applications.
Cost-Effective for Large Batches
It is a highly efficient and economical process for finishing large quantities of parts.
Wide Range of Finishes
Offers a vast selection of different metals and alloys that can be deposited to achieve specific functional or cosmetic properties.
Electroplating Design Considerations
Uneven Coating Thickness
The electric current density is higher on sharp external corners and edges, leading to a thicker deposit in these areas (the "dog-bone" effect). Generous corner radii are recommended for a more uniform coating.
Poor "Throwing Power"
The process has difficulty coating the inside of deep holes, recesses, and complex internal geometries. The coating in these areas will be significantly thinner or non-existent.
Racking/Jigging Marks
Parts must be held on a conductive rack or jig, which will leave a small, unplated contact mark. The location for this mark should be considered on a non-critical surface.
Hydrogen Embrittlement Risk
Plating high-strength steels (above ~35 HRC) can introduce hydrogen into the metal, which can cause embrittlement and failure. A post-plating baking step is required to mitigate this risk.
FAQ
What is the main difference between electroplating and electroless plating?
Electroplating uses an electric current and creates a coating that can be uneven, building up on corners. Electroless plating is a chemical process that creates a perfectly uniform coating, even inside holes.
Will electroplating cover scratches?
Bright plating solutions can “level” and fill in very minor microscopic scratches, but they will not hide significant machine marks or deep scratches.
How much material does electroplating add?
It depends on the specification. A typical decorative coating might be 0.005-0.01mm thick, while hard chrome can be 0.05mm or thicker. This buildup must be accounted for in your design.
Why is zinc plating so common on steel fasteners?
Zinc acts as a “sacrificial” coating. It corrodes first, protecting the underlying steel from rust, making it a very effective and low-cost protective finish.
Can you plate plastic parts?
Yes, but it requires a specialized multi-step process to first make the plastic surface conductive. This is common in the automotive and electronics industries for creating chrome-plated plastic trim.
What does "throwing power" mean?
It describes the ability of a plating solution to deposit metal into low-current-density areas like recesses and holes. Electroplating generally has lower throwing power than electroless plating.
My part has very tight tolerances. Is electroplating a good idea?
It can be, but the plating thickness and its natural variation must be carefully considered. For extremely tight internal tolerances, electroless plating is often a better choice.
Will my part have a mark where it was held?
Yes, there will be a small contact point from the rack. We always try to place these marks in the least cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas.
What is the difference between chrome plating and "chromate"?
Chrome plating deposits a layer of metallic chromium on the surface. “Chromate” is a chemical conversion coating (like Alodine) applied over zinc plating to add color (e.g., yellow, black) and improve corrosion resistance.
How should I specify a plated finish on my drawing?
Be as specific as possible. For example: “Zinc Plate and Yellow Chromate per ASTM B633, Type II, SC 2” or “Bright Nickel Plate, 0.01mm thickness.”