Plating is a type of CNC surface finishing process that involves the deposition of a thin layer of metal onto a substrate, usually by electroplating or electroless plating.
The plating process can provide a range of benefits, including improved corrosion resistance, improved wear resistance, improved electrical conductivity, and improved aesthetics.
Plating is often used to protect parts from wear and corrosion, enhance electrical conductivity, and provide an attractive finish.
Materials
Aluminum
High machinability and ductility, good strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminum alloys have good strength-to-weight ratio, high thermal and electrical conductivity, low density and natural corrosion resistance.
Steel
Steel is a strong, versatile, and durable alloy of iron and carbon. Its applications range from construction materials and structural components to automotive and aerospace components.
Steel is strong and durable High tensile strength Corrosion resistance Heat and fire resistance Easily molded and formed.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel alloys have high strength, ductility, wear and corrosion resistance. They can be easily welded, machined and polished. The hardness and the cost of stainless steel is higher than that of aluminum alloy.
Bronze
Highly resistant to seawater corrosion. The material’s mechanical properties are inferior to many other machinable metals, making it best for low-stress components produced by CNC machining.
Brass
Brass is mechanically stronger and lower-friction metal properties make CNC machining brass ideal for mechanical applications that also require corrosion resistance such as those encountered in the marine industry.
Copper
Few metals have the electric conductivity that copper has when it comes to CNC milling materials. The material’s high corrosion resistance aids in preventing rust, and its thermal conductivity features facilitate CNC machining shaping.
Iron
Iron is an indispensable metal in the industrial sector. Iron is alloyed with a small amount of carbon – steel, which is not easily demagnetized after magnetization and is an excellent hard magnetic material, as well as an important industrial material, and is also used as the main raw material for artificial magnetism.
Design Considerations
- Ensure that the plating material is compatible with the materials.
- Make sure that the plating process does not compromise the accuracy of the parts.
- Ensure that the plating process does not damage or corrode the parts or their components in any way.
