Applications of Electroplated Plastic Parts

• Automotive: Electroplating is widely used to create chrome-plated components like grilles, emblems, and interior trim. 

• Consumer Electronics: Metallic finishes are applied to parts like mobile phone cases, buttons, and other aesthetic or functional components.

• Home Appliances: Handles, knobs, and other decorative or functional parts of appliances may be electroplated for durability and aesthetics.

• Plumbing Fixtures: Items like faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures are often electroplated to create a chrome-like finish.

Process of Electroplating Plastic

Plastic parts electroplating is a process for coating a thin layer of metal on the surface of plastic components, typically for decorative, protective, or functional purposes. Therefore, several additional steps are necessary to prepare the plastic surface for electroplating. 

1. Surface Cleaning and Etching

• The plastic part is thoroughly cleaned to remove contaminants such as grease, oils, and dust.

• The surface is then etched using a solution (usually containing chromic acid) to roughen it. This enhances adhesion between the plastic and subsequent metal layers.

2. Activation

• The custom plastic part is treated with a palladium or tin chloride solution to make its surface receptive to the metal coating. equal to the strike process of custom die casting part surface

• This step “activates” the surface, making it possible to initiate the electroplating process.

3. Electroless Plating

• Electroless plating (or chemical deposition) is used to deposit a thin layer of metal (usually nickel or copper) without electricity.

• Since plastic is non-conductive, this initial layer serves as a conductive base for the subsequent electroplating steps. user can employ the plastic part as electrical conductive component, which are light weight, cost-efficiency and wear to resist, but they have a shorter life time, comparison to metal parts. 

4. Electroplating

• Once the plastic part has a conductive base layer, traditional electroplating can be performed.

• The part is submerged in an electroplating bath, where electrical current is applied, causing metal ions (such as chrome, nickel, copper, or gold) to bond to the surface of the part.

• The thickness of the metal layer depends on the duration of the process and the desired final properties.

5. Post-Treatment

• After electroplating, parts may undergo additional treatments such as polishing or protective coating (e.g., a clear lacquer) to enhance corrosion resistance and appearance.

Overall,Plastic parts electroplating enhances the appearance, durability, and functionality of plastic components by coating their surface with a thin layer of metal. The difference from metal parts electroplating, it requires additional step that is treated with a palladium or tin chloride solution to make its surface bond to the metal coating. Then coating the metal coating on the top layer, and reinforce the electroplating layer with thin film, and finish the plastic electroplating process. More solutions and you can contact us on click.

Common Plastics Used in Electroplating

Not all plastics can be easily electroplated. Typically, plastics that bond well with metals are chosen. Common materials include.

• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): The most commonly electroplated plastic due to its good adhesion properties and versatility.

• Polycarbonate (PC): Known for its strength and impact resistance.

• Polypropylene (PP): Used in applications where chemical resistance is required.

• Nylon (PA): Suitable for parts requiring toughness and durability.

Benefits of Plastic Parts Electroplating

• Cost-Effective: Plastic is cheaper to manufacture and lighter than metal, reducing production costs while offering a metallic appearance.

• Corrosion Resistance: Electroplating can enhance the part’s resistance to environmental factors such as moisture, heat, and chemicals.

• Versatility in Design: Plastic parts are easier to mold and design in complex shapes, and the electroplating process allows these intricate designs to have metallic finishes.

• Weight Reduction: Electroplated plastic parts are much lighter than solid metal parts, making them ideal for applications where weight is a critical factor, such as in automotive and aerospace industries.

Relevant Plastic Parts Surface Finishing Options

• Laser Marking on Plastic

• Plastic Parts Coating Process 

• Plastic Parts Deburring Process 

Ts Casting Technology Comprehensive Capabilities

TangSheng Hardware Casting Technology(called as Ts Casting Technology simplely ) is one of synthetic industrial manufacturers, who is specializing for metal die casting and plastic injection molding. Arrange post processes for these injection and cast parts,such as parts deburrings, polishing, grinding,drilling and tapping etc.  

Mold &Die Design and Manufacturing 

Design the mold & Die. They are always similar with 3d drawing soft, such as CAD , UG and Proe etc, and have full responsibility to finish any requirement raised by clients, whenever plastic injection mold or metal casting die .They will become your visual 3d model into a real sample within 15 days. Mold & Die Design And Manufacturing is our advantage. 

Synthesis Assembly and Testing 

This is our synthesis assembly and tesing department. Where, operator will install metal parts and plastic parts together, testing finished product's functions. In another one, package them here and send them to outsourcing factory. In this place, all products will be inspected again avoid there is any accident for quality defect. 

Laser Engraving On Parts 

We have many customer to need various pattern to be printed on the surface of products, laser engraving on parts just resolve this problem, comparing to oil printing, that is resistant scratch, but also more durable. So we have 5 sets of laser engraving machine, which can mark some patterns on the surface of finished products are installed in our assembly and packaging department. 

Die Casting Metal Parts Manufacturing

With automatic die casting production lines, and can process and produce different metal die casting parts according to different requirements from client and business partners. With well-experienced technical person, completely meet individual customers' special demands for die casting metal parts manufacturing.

Plastic Injection Parts Manufacturing

Building plastic injection parts streamlines, produces many creative plastic custom parts. Such as soft plastic water proof mats and some plastic cover, which is made from TPU material. As IATF 16949 certified enterprise, so also provide and serve various kinds of custom plastic parts projects.

Die Casting Parts Polishing

In order to create die casting parts surface finishing well, we built our own metal parts polishing streamline. And have around die casting parts polishing processes. More smoother is for metal products, more easier to be electroplated. Something like that, they will become more appeal to audience's eyeballs, so polishing workshop provides more shiny and smoother products so that be more convenient to hand to next procedure. Die castings electroplating process is popular.

Die Castings CNC Machining

After the metal part is cast, these metal casting parts passed some initial cleaning processes. But untouched some rough area and hidden imperfection sharp edges on the metal parts can’t be removed and improved well. These metal parts require a further process for getting rid of sharp edges and improving imperfection areas.Die casting CNC machining is indispensable process. 

Plastic Injection Parts Deburring

These imperfection burr and redundant nozzle material should be removed. People are customized to calling: “PiFeng” in Chinese. So the process is Plastic parts deburring process. workers use hand tools like knives, scrapers, or abrasive pads to remove burrs manually.

Rapid Prototyping Services

Our professional rapid prototyping services provide high quality prototype for client in short time. Hereby there are two types. One method is designing die and molding tool, then produce a set of molding tool, and inject material into the mold and form ideal prototype. Another method is straightly printing prototype with 3d printing machine.