Introduction
Mechanical plating, also known as electroless plating, is a process through which metal parts are coated with various metals and alloys to improve their corrosion resistance, wear resistance and lubricity. This plating method is popular among industries such as automotive and aerospace, as it is relatively cheap and can be done quickly. Furthermore, it can be done on both large and small parts, making it a versatile and reliable method for many manufacturing applications.
What is Mechanical Plating?
Mechanical plating is a metal-plating process involving the deposition of a metal coating onto a substrate material which is usually a metal part. The process can be used to plate metals such as tin, zinc and brass. The coating is generally applied using a combination of physical and chemical processes, such as mechanical rubbing and chemical deposition. For this reason, the process is sometimes known as mechanical-chemical plating.
Why Use Mechanical Plating?
Mechanical plating is an effective solution for providing a metal coating to metal objects. It offers a wide range of advantages over traditional metal plating:
• High degree of uniformity in coverage- The metal is applied evenly throughout the object and the finished product is extremely uniform in its metal coating.
• Easy and efficient application- The application process is quick and easy with no special skills or equipment required.
• Low cost- Compared to electroplated metals, mechanical plated metals are cheaper. This is because there is no electricity required for the plating process.
• Heavy wear resistance- The hardened metal layer is much more resistant to wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for objects that will be exposed to extreme wear and tear.
• Good corrosion resistance- The added protection from corroding elements means that the metal plating can last much longer.
• High adhesion- The metal coating bonds extremely well to the substrate, making it strong enough to withstand wear and tear.
What Applications Does Mechanical Plating Have?
Mechanical plating is used mainly in the automotive and aerospace industries, where metal parts need to be coated with a metal layer to improve their corrosion resistance and wear performance. Other applications include:
• Industrial equipment- Mechanical plating is often used to coat industrial equipment, such as pumps and valves, to improve their performance and durability.
• Medical devices- The layer of metal plating can be used to protect medical devices, such as CAT and MRI scanners, from damage and corrosion.
• Home hardware- The layer of metal plating can also be used to coat door and window hardware, such as hinges, to improve their resistance to wearing and rusting.
Conclusion
Mechanical plating is an effective and affordable method of coating metal parts with various metals and alloys. It offers many advantages over traditional metal plating, including a uniform coating, easy application, low cost and excellent corrosion protection. It is used mainly in the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as for industrial equipment, medical devices and home hardware.
