subject: 4 Reasons To Turn To Selective Plating [print this page] Selective plating means that only a portion of a part has plating applied to it.
Lets say you have an a metal arm inside an electrical switch and you only need the tip plated (for low electrical resistance), not the entire arm. This is a perfect application for selective plating. The arm can be masked so only the tip is plated.
This information might help you decide if selective plating is right for you
1. Its selective
True to its name, this process allows you to only deposit metal on the areas that need it, instead of having to dip the entire component into a plating bath and plate the whole surface. That way, you dont have to worry about coating areas that dont need it which is a waste of your time and money!
And, because your metal plater can control exactly where the metal coating goes (and doesnt go), they can also control how thick the coating is applied. That way, areas that need a thick coating can get it, while areas that need just a little can get that, too.
2. Its done by the very best
When it absolutely, positively must be done right the first time, you need to make sure its done by the best of the best. Luckily, theres an easy way to help you find them! Just be on the lookout for Nadcap certified metal platers.
In order to get Nadcap certification, platers have to go through a very rigorous process that can last for months. Theyre tested and evaluated, and only those meeting stringent standards are rewarded with certification at the end. So, if you find a company with Nadcap certification, you can rest easy knowing that youre going to get a quality finished product.
You can even narrow your search down to Nadcap certification thats done by metal to be plated. For example, you can look for specific Nadcap certified gold platers, if thats the only metal youre interested in.
Nadcap certification isnt easy, and thats why there arent very many of them. If youre in a large metropolitan area, there might be one near you. However, if youre away from large population centers, you might have to ship your parts some distance.
When quality is your most important plating concern, choose a Nadcap certified metal plater every time.
It costs the metal plater money and time in order to become Nadcap certified, and keep that certification. That cost has to be included in the price of plating your parts. You may pay a little morebut what is your peace of mind worth? And maybe your job, if youre a purchasing agent?
3. It can be done on one piece or a whole bunch of pieces
Even though its got selective in the name doesnt mean you cant use selective plating on a lot of parts. Luckily, a good plating company will have a facility thats big enough to handle virtually any size order.
4. Theres no heat involved
Selective plating can be done at room temperature, so theres no risk of damaging anything from extreme heat.
