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5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Plating Line?

Mar. 10, 2025

plating line — Plating Workshop - Everything You Need To Know ...

Dry IBC Tote Technology allows you to make liquid chromic acid yourself. Removing all the hassles such as lifting heavy cans, dumping cans / dealing with chromic acid dusting, and triple rinsing multiple cans of hexavalent chrome a year! This technology greatly reduces the risks associated with hexavalent chromium-both from a safety and environmental perspective. Better for your employees, better for the environment, and better for your bottom line.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

Benefits of Making Liquids using Dry IBC Totes vs Manufacturing Internally

  • Ability to manufacture liquid chromic acid in minutes rather than hours

  • Substantial Reduction in 'PEL' (Permissible Exposure Limits)

  • Adjustable Concentrations for All Applications

  • No Cans to Rinse or Dispose of as Hazardous Material

  • Same Low Cost for Chromic Acid

Plating International. Inc. also offers Drop-In Tank Liners and Secondary Containment for your Chrome Plating Facility. Contact Us Today!

Did you know companies are finding the benefits of One-Plate® are even greater as one component is easier to order, ship, and stock than three components.

Shops are finding this very convenient especially now that supply chains are strained by transport issues. 

Shops with short labor or split shifts are reporting how One-Plate® is easier to operate with less workers and lab analysis. 

And for those shops where their business level is lower due to the pandemic, they are appreciating the savings in time, energy, labor, and costs.

One-Plate® is now in 15 countries on 5 continents.

  • Plating International has increased our manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand.

  • Single component One-Plate® EN versions are now available in low, mid, high phos and composites with Teflon, diamond, silicon carbide and boron nitride.

  • Just as the cold weather is coming, Plating International has verified the freeze resistance of the most popular One-Plate® Q solution. Attached please see a photo with a typical "A" solution on the left and One-Plate® Q on the right. After two weeks in a 5 degree F (-15 C) freezer, the "A" solution is frozen solid. The One-Plate® solution was just very cold. We then tested the One-Plate® solution and it plated as well as it always does, so there was no negative affect from the cold storage.

  • New technical articles and case studies are in the works..

Also, in this Covid-19 time when travel is limited, we have been having frequent video conference meetings to support plating shops and prospective customers to answer any questions they have, please don't hesitate to reach out to set up any calls like this.

Traditionally, most 'polypro' tanks are made with what is called 'propylene homopolymer,' or 'natural polypropylene.' This type of polypropylene has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is known for its stiffness and rigidity. In the plating industry, this natural polypropylene is the go-to material for most plastic-type tanks.

There is, however, another material, called 'polypropylene copolymer' which is a less common material but is nonetheless superior in many ways. This copolymer polypropylene is a type of polypropylene that has a modified polymer chain which includes a different, 'random' monomer molecule (for instance, ethylene). This molecular change results in some serious changes in physical property.

Compared to homopolymer PP, copolymer PP has a much higher impact resistance, increased flexibility and durability, and a lower melting point (which results in a lower heat-sealing temperature). Copolymer PP also tends to have a better stress crack resistance and lower temperature toughness than homopolymer. At the same time they exhibit essentially the same chemical resistance, water vapor permeability, and organoleptic properties (low tatste and odour contribution).

Given the comparative advantage of copolymer PP, it seems like a no-brainer to have a copolymer PP tank over a natural polypro tank. Because the copolymer is much more flexible and less stiff than the homopolymer, it will have a longer life than a natural polypro tank, and will be more resistant to stress and impact (for example, if a heavy anode or cathode falls of the bussing to the bottom of the tank). This means they are also less likely to get damaged during delivery. Copolymer PP also has a moderately better impact strength at temperatures down to 0°C, and have limited utility down to -25°C.

Plating International offers rigid plating tanks in both propylene homopolymer and copolymer polypropylene materials. Contact us for a quote today.

Traditionally, most chrome baths use lead anodes. When we think of lead anodes, we usually just think about the lead part, but in fact the lead anodes that are used are never made of pure lead. Chromic acid in the bath eats away at pure lead, especially when there is no current. Pure lead is also quite soft, does not hold its shape very well and sags under its own weight. This is why lead is alloyed with other metals in order to give it specific properties. Various amounts of antimony, tin and silver are added to the lead depending upon the application.

Antimony: Provides hardness, rigidity and resistance to curling or sagging and is used whenever strength is required. High antimony contents, however, tend to produce excessive surface scale and a less than optimum trivalent control. Antimony has a density of 0.24 lbs. per cubic inch and a melting temperature of degrees F.

Tin: Provides improved corrosion resistance and conductivity, reduces surface scaling and improves trivalent control. Used primarily in high fluoride baths. Tin has a density of 0.26 lbs. per cubic inch and a melting temperature of 450 degrees F.

Silver: A small amount of silver (0.5 - 1%) greatly extends the corrosion resistance and increases the conductivity. Due to the additional cost, this is used only where an extended anode life is required such as in very high fluoride baths.

C. P. Grade Lead: CP grade lead (99.9 % chemically pure) is the basic material that is used to make the various alloys. CP lead has a density of 0.41 lbs. per cubic inch and a melting temperature of 620 degrees F.

Lead Alloys: The anode materials are purchased from a smelter already alloyed per specification. These materials are available in ingots, cast mats, rolled sheet & bars, extruded pipe and extruded rods or wire in various sizes. Extruded and rolled forms are much denser than cast materials are and will therefore hold up much longer and are better suited for large anodes or ones that need to last for long periods of time.

It is good practice to standardize alloys and use only one type per bath. If several alloys are used then the each type should be marked so they are not accidentally mixed. Lead alloys should never be obtained from a scrap dealer as the quality is unknown. Most lead alloys used for chrome plating have a density of around 0.40 lbs. per cubic inch and a melting point of 580 ' 600 degrees F.

6% antimony - 94% lead: This is a very common alloy that is used for a majority of chrome plating anodes. The antimony provides both hardness and rigidity and is particularly well suited for large or heavy anodes. The surface film from this alloy provides reasonable control of the trivalent, but the scaling is heavier than if tin were present.

7% tin ' 93% lead: Used in all type baths including high fluoride solutions. This alloy is softer than 6/94 is and may sag if too heavy or too large. This alloy has an improved peroxide surface film for better trivalent control and reduced scaling.

2% tin ' 4% antimony ' 94% lead: This alloy provides a combination of improved rigidity and corrosion resistance. It has a better surface film than 6/94 does, but not quite as good as the 7/93 alloy is. It is used where a combination of optimum strength, resistance to distortion and surface film is needed.

0.5% silver ' 4% tin ' 2% antimony ' 93.5% lead: The addition of a small amount of silver greatly improves the surface film and increases the corrosion resistance. The silver content is typically 0.5%, although it can be as high as 1% for even greater benefit. This alloy typically lasts 2-3 times longer than the others do. Obviously, the cost of the silver must be weighed against the value of the additional benefits obtained. This alloy is used primarily in very high fluoride baths.

A fire on the plating lines is always a disaster, but one that can be avoided by taking the proper precautions. One of the most common causes of these fires is electrical heaters, which often set fire to plastic tanks because of a drop in the solution level.


A common misconception is that the thermostat will stop the heater. However, this is not the case. Why doesn't the thermostat stop the heater? It's because the thermostat relies on the liquid to transfer heat from the heater to the probe/sensor. If there is a sudden loss of liquid and the sensor is no longer covered by the liquid, then no heat is transferred. The thermostat detects this as a drop in temperature and keeps the heater operating. With no liquid to transfer heat away from the heating element it begins to overheat and sets the plastic tank on fire.

Properly passivated stainless steel will not plate unless contacted by a plating part or the bath is not properly maintained. They must be passivated from time to time according to the procedures established (by STI) for safety and effective passivation without contaminating the solutions or rinse tanks. Stainless steel is composed of iron (Fe); nickel (Ni); chromium (Cr) and several other minor components. Stainless steel is not resistant to chemical or physical attack. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel depends on the formation of a 'passive surface film' composed of nickel and chromium oxides (Cr2O3 & Ni0).

Procedure:

1. Pump bath out into the corresponding drums, tote, or tank.

With competitive price and timely delivery, PIONEER sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

2. Spray rinse the tank & plumbing, then drain any leftover bath into corresponding drums or tank.

3. Pump in 40% Nitric for Passivation from the tote into empty tank.

4. Once tank is filled with '40% Nitric for Passivation' do the following 3 things.

A. Turn on all pumps to tank.

B. Set temperature of the '40% Nitric for Passivation' to 90o F.

C. After you have completed Set 1 and 2 set timer for 3 hours.

One of the major decisions that plating shops have to deal with is 'what kind of plating tank should I get for my plating line?' Of course, we wish the answer was as simple as the question, but the truth of the matter is it depends on a lot of different things. What are you plating? Plating chromic acid is a completely different process than zinc or cadmium plating. How much are you plating? 300 gallons or gallons? What method are you using to plate? There are so many questions to ask and factors to consider, we thought it would be nice to see it in the form of a pros/cons table:

As you will see in the diagram above there are many different things to consider when choosing a plating tank. Polypropylene tanks are great for smaller bath sizes and they are well-suited for the harsh conditions provided by plating shops. Polypropylene tanks are also very durable and they are great for use with acids and alkalies, which is why you can sometimes avoid buying a liner for your tank (unless you're plating chromic acid, which you'll definitely still need a liner for!) Polypropylene tanks are also much more flammable than steel tanks, which can be an issue if you are using electrical heaters to heat up your bath. While steel can hold up to well over +°F, polypropylene melts at around 320°F. Another factor is their size limit - because of polypropylene's lower tensile strength and modulus, you will likely need supports to prevent bulging and breaks at the seams; but steel tanks have a lot more natural support because of their higher tensile strength. However, steel tanks are vulnerable to other conditions that the polypropylene tanks will almost never encounter: they can rust and they are susceptible to pinholes, which can be very dangerous if not immediately fixed.

At the end of the day, you're really going to have to take the time and think about what solution works best for your business needs. That's why you should ask the experts here at Plating International. With over 40+ of working experience, we can help you well above-and-beyond all your plating needs. Contact us today for a quote on plating tanks!

What to Look For in a High-Quality Plating Supplier

How do you find a high-quality plating supplier today? Doing an internet search could leave you very confused. Sourcing internationally could lead to problems when taking into account current events, like the ongoing global supply-chain crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, to start.

So where do you start your search for a high-quality plating supplier? We will answer this question and more so keep reading to learn about the ins and outs of plating.

What is Plating?

What is metal plating? Metal plating is a process where a layer of metal coats an object. This helps to protect the base metal layer from outside elements and can add other properties. The two main types of plating are electroplating and electroless plating.

What is electroplating? Electroplating involves using negative and positive ions to cover a substance with a thin layer of metal. Electroless plating involves heating the plating metal to a high temperature. Then the item for plating is placed in the heated metal and plating takes place through a chemical process.

Plating Metals

There are many different plating metals and they all serve a range of functions. The choice of metal depends on the need of the OEM and the manufacturer and the way the item will be used.

Nickel and zinc-nickel are the most common electroplated material. They help strengthen base metals and fight corrosion due to outside elements.

Copper is the second most popular electroplated material. Copper performs well as an electrical conductor and also has antimicrobial properties. Gold is popular as an electroplating material because it adds corrosion and wear resistance. It also adds higher levels of conductivity.

Common Plated Parts

The most common reason for plating is for adding strength and longevity to parts. One of the most common areas of plating these days is for computer and telecommunications parts. With computers being a part of every industry, the metal pins and contacts inside the connectors are all electroplated for strength.

How Is Plating Used?

The automotive industry uses metal plating for many of its parts throughout the car. The pins for motherboards, over-molded parts, and circuit boards are just a few examples of how they use them.

The medical industry has adopted metal-plated components because of their ability to stand up to sanitizing processes. This helps them be able to maintain their function for an extended period of time and without having to replace the metal component and/or tools.

The aerospace and defense industries have long used plated parts to add strength to their products. The wear and tear of going in space and combat usage have made plated materials stand out.

Each industry has special needs and that is why plating manufacturers should be aware of the needs of each industry. The metals used for plating in every industry have important bearings based on the needs of the industry.

Are All Platers the Same?

Platers often specialize in the types of parts they plate based on their plating capabilities. Barrel plating is used for plating small loose piece parts that cannot be hung up due to their small size.

Barrel plating is broken up into different categories based on the type of barrel used. There is a horizontal barrel, an inclined barrel, and a vibration barrel. Each barrel is focused on a different aspect and size of the object to be plated.

Rack plating electroplates large and complex parts that are difficult for other plating processes. The objects are often put on racks and submerged into the plating solution.

The reel-to-reel plating method allows for select deposits of metal. The reels of pins or contacts are de-reeled and then fed through various electroplating processes. At the end of the line is a take-up system that re-spools the material once the appropriate metal finish is achieved.

Sometimes pre-plated metal is preferred where raw material is plated as a continuous strip of metal before any kind of fabrication process is done to create individual parts. This means that when you process (e.g. swage, stamp, screw-machine, etc.) pieces from the pre-plated strip of raw material, there will be no plating on the sides or edges of the finished part that were originally plated.

Pre-plating usually allows for cost savings in terms of both required labor and materials, because it is easier to coat one large piece of raw material than to individually plate each finished product.

Recognizing a Platers Specialty

The type of part you are looking for will naturally move you toward the platers who specialize in the plating process you need.

If you are looking to have small, loose-piece objects plated, you will want to find platers that offer barrel plating. If you have odd-sized or brittle objects to be plated, you will want to find rack plating specialists. There are other ways of plating and the key is for you to find the plater that specializes in the type of plating you need.

How to Identify a Solid Plating Partner?

The key to finding a solid plating supplier for your business is to focus on the most important areas you need. Having those in mind will help you find the right company to work with.

An Attitude of Partnership

Look for a plating company that doesn't just plate but sees the relationship as a partnership. The relationship that is built with your provider should feel like a real partnership for long-term satisfaction.

Strong Customer Service

Your plating is specific to your company and you want a plating company that understands that and over-delivers to you. Look for companies with high quality, competitive pricing, great customer service, and any other offering or service important to your business.

Check references of current customers to understand how the company provides service to their customers.

Local Support

Many plating companies offer local support by making dedicated trucking runs for you. This helps you meet your deadlines and always have the plating supplies you need.

Industry Expertise

Look for plating companies who have experience in your industry. Whether you are in aerospace, automotive, industrial, interconnect, medical, etc... their experience in that industry can be a benefit to you.

Customization Options

Strong plating companies should be able to work with you to make your parts with your specific requirements. For example, with connector pins, you can vary the plating process, such as pre-plated metal or post plated barrel plating based on the need.

This process can change based on the function of the connector and the assembly process you use. You want a company that knows this and can support you in your customization needs.

A Positive Plating Partner

What is plating? Well, now that you have a better understanding of some of the metal plating processes, you know what to look for in a partner.

Bead Electronics manufactures custom end-to-end and loose-piece wire pins and hollow/tubular pins and contacts made from flat strip. Our expertise in pin development and plating makes us an industry leader in providing pins for many different industries. Contact us and see how our expertise can save you time and money.

Want more information on Plating Line? Feel free to contact us.

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