CNC Machining: How to Choose Electroplating Coating for CNC Machining Parts?

There are many types of surface treatment of CNC machined parts that can be used for prototype manufacturing design and production. Not all surface treatments are suitable. Many surface treatments are only used to improve aesthetics and ignore the functions of CNC machined parts, but there are also many people who consider the beauty and practicality of CNC machined parts. In this article, we will focus on the electroplating of CNC machining parts. In the surface treatment design and production of CNC machined parts, in addition to improving the aesthetics, it is more important to improve the performance of CNC machined parts. This article describes the knowledge of electroplating of key CNC machining parts.

What electroplating?

Electroplating is the process of plating a thin layer of other metals or alloys on the surface of some CNC machined parts using the principle of electrolysis. It is the process of using electrolysis to attach a layer of metal film to the surface of the CNC machined parts to prevent oxidation of the CNC machined parts ( Such as rust), improve wear resistance, electrical conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance (copper sulfate, etc.) and enhance aesthetics. The outer layer of many coins is also electroplated.

Principles of Electroplating of CNC Machining Parts

In the salt solution containing the CNC machined parts to be plated, the base metal to be plated is used as the cathode. Through electrolysis, the cations of the metal to be plated in the plating solution are deposited on the surface of the CNC machined parts to form a coating.

Elements of electroplating of CNC machined parts

1. Cathode: The object to be plated refers to various connector terminals.

2. Anode: If it is a soluble anode, it is the metal to be plated. . In the case of insoluble anodes, most of them are precious metals (platinum, iridium oxide).

3. Electroplating potion: electroplating potion containing metal ions to be plated.

4. Electroplating tank: a tank that can bear and store electroplating solution, generally considering factors such as strength, corrosion resistance, and temperature resistance.

5. Rectifier: A device that provides DC power. Polishing → polishing → hanging → degreasing and degreasing → washing → electrolytic polishing or chemical polishing → pickling activation → pre-dipping → electroplating → washing → post-treatment → washing → drying → hanging → inspecting packaging.

What are the electroplating of CNC machining parts?

Gilded

The gold plating layer has a golden appearance, has good chemical stability, discoloration resistance, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance. At the same time, it has good solderability, low contact resistance, and excellent hot-press bonding performance, which makes electroplating gold The coating can be used as a decorative coating as well as a functional and protective coating. An easy way to impart these important properties to silver and copper metals is gold plating. It has a wide range of applications in improving the conductivity of CNC machined parts (such as electrical connectors).

Silver

Similar to gold plating, silver plating also improves the beauty of related materials. When it comes to silver plating, conductivity also plays a role. Many manufacturers of CNC machined parts choose silver plating because it is cost-effective and cheaper than gold. It can also more fully electroplate copper and CNC machined parts. It is often used in electrical appliances, sanitary ware, furniture and household products, handicrafts, hardware equipment, lighting, fire-fighting supplies, medical equipment, aluminum, steel, fitness equipment, transportation facilities, etc.

Copper plating

When your application requires cost-effectiveness and high conductivity, copper plating is the best choice. This procedure is usually used as the main coating pretreatment for subsequent electroplating surfaces. Copper electroplating technology is the core technology for manufacturing electronic interconnection devices such as printed circuit boards and package carrier boards. Due to its low material cost, the electroplating efficiency is high.

Galvanized

Galvanizing is to coat a layer of zinc on the surface of CNC machined parts or other materials for aesthetics and rust prevention. The zinc layer on the surface is an electrochemical protective layer that can prevent the CNC machined parts from decay. Widely used Machinery manufacturing, electronics, precision instruments, chemicals, transportation, aerospace, etc.

Chrome

This electroplating process usually involves the use of chromic acid and a trivalent chromium bath to create a coating on the CNC machined part. The chromium plating layer has good chemical stability. It has no effect in alkali, sulfide, nitric acid and most organic acids, but it can be dissolved in hydrochloric acid (such as hydrochloric acid) and hot sulfuric acid. In the visible light range, the reflectivity of chromium is about 65%, which is between silver (88%) and nickel (55%). Because chromium does not change color, it can maintain its reflectivity for a long time and is better than silver and nickel. . Mainly in many fields such as metallurgy, automobile, civil engineering, electric power, chemical industry, marine engineering, household appliances, railways, highways, bridges, tunnels, military industry, etc.

Nickel plated

The method of depositing a layer of nickel on the surface of CNC machined parts by electrochemical action. It can be used as a surface coating, but it is mainly used for chrome plating to prevent corrosion, increase wear resistance, gloss and beauty. This electroplating technology is most suitable for aluminum and copper CNC machining parts. It is also suitable for other metal materials, and also used for bottom plating of chromium. Mainly used in petroleum, chemical, electronics, instrumentation, lighting, communications, aerospace and other fields.

Advantages and disadvantages of electroplating of CNC machined parts

Electroplating is an effective and common surface treatment process for CNC machined parts. When using metal electroplating, we should also understand its advantages and disadvantages. Below we tell you its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: It can be plated with a variety of materials, it has a wide range of specific and architectural finishes, this is a cost-effective finishing technology that provides anti-wear and anti-corrosion protection, provides high hardness and strength, and increases the decorative feel of the material.

Disadvantages: It is easy to break in certain wear environments, it may be very long, and if it is not handled well, CNC machining defects will occur.

Summarize      

Electroplating is a common surface treatment method, which can increase the beauty of CNC machined parts and strengthen product performance. When choosing a metal coating, attention should be paid to its practicality, whether it is to improve chemical properties or physical properties. So you need a professional CNC machining parts company to cooperate, if you need CNC machining parts, please contact us, we will create a high-quality CNC machining parts experience for you.