How to Choose Metal Plating for Small Stamped Parts
With the pace of updating of the times, small metal stamped parts can be seen everywhere in our daily lives. Most of them have been surface-treated when they are displayed. A covering layer is formed on the surface of the stamping parts through a certain method to improve the product’s performance, with characteristics of Anti-rust, anti-oxidation, and anti-corrosion. So, what are the surface treatment methods of metal stamping parts?
Metal Plating Types for Small Stamped Parts
- Pre-plating
Pre-plating treats all raw materials before stamping, which is often less expensive than plating each part. However, pre-plated material is likely to be affected by the stamping process, resulting in unplated areas such as edges and sides. It may require further operations to meet specifications.
- Spot plating
When precious metals are required to conduct electricity, spot plating is usually selected to minimize the use and expense of materials.
- Post-plating
Post-plating is done after stamping to improve the appearance of the part or its function in harsh environments. Some metal stamped parts also require an initial stamping, then plating, and another stamping operation. It is also done to reduce the cost of the precious metal or to reduce the exposure of bent terminals during barrel plating.
Metal Plating Processes
Different materials, part types, and plating locations have different metal plating processes.
- Reel-to-reel plating
Reel-to-reel plating is used for complex and delicate stamping parts. The metal stamping die supplies it to the plating company in specially designed strips to minimize material waste. The anode is the plated metal or other insoluble materials, and the workpiece to be plated is the cathode. The cations of the plated metal are reduced on the surface of the workpiece to be plated to form a coating. The purpose of electroplating is to plate a metal coating on the substrate to change the surface properties or dimensions of the substrate. It can enhance the corrosion resistance of the metal (the plating metal is mostly made of corrosion-resistant metal). Besides, it also can increase the hardness of stamping parts, prevent wear, and improve electrical conductivity, lubricity, heat resistance, and surface beauty.
- Barrel plating
Barrel plating processes large quantities of durable, small stamped parts. The stamped parts are placed as loose parts in a rotating barrel with an electric current and immersed in an electrolytic plating solution such as zinc or zinc nickel. Coating and polishing parts as they tumble facilitates deburring and is often used to prevent corrosion and wear.
- Rack plating
Rack plating is preferred for delicate and complex stamping parts because it is more effective at plating complex geometries. Rack plating also produces a higher-quality finish, which is critical for the automotive, medical, and electronics industries.
- Zinc nickel electroplating
Zinc nickel electroplating refers to coating a zinc layer on the surface of metals, alloys, or other materials as a protective barrier against moisture and corrosion. Electrogalvanizing produces a silver/blue look, but other colors are also available. Zinc-nickel plating offers higher corrosion resistance than zinc alone. Zinc-nickel coatings are suitable for various materials. Including steel, cast iron, brass, copper, etc., are environmentally safe, and offer good wear resistance in exterior applications. The main method used now is hot zinc plating.
Precision Stamping Services From Heju Stamping
Dongguan Heju Precision Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2008. It is an enterprise specializing in the processing of precision stamping parts. Focus on designing and manufacturing electrical wire terminals, lead frames, precision spring contacts, micro deep drawn parts, and precision electronic components stamping. We continuously accumulate experience to overcome complex metal parts stamping technology and reduce the manufacturing cost of metal stamping parts.