While there are two ways to cover metallic surfaces, coating and electroplating, what is the difference between the two and why does electroplating make sense for industrial use?

Coating offers an easy solution to protect surfaces from corrosion and improve aesthetics. This provides protection from chemical harm and contamination, which is especially important in the food production industry.

As a method used to make non-stick products, coating reduces scrap material, optimizes manufacturability, and raises the level of productivity and life of the product. To reduce friction in certain circumstances, coating allows for lubricants to last where necessary, extending the life of the mechanism. At the same time, coating allows for greater durability as protection against wear or exposure to corrosive materials. Plus, it acts as an insulator where electrical current is necessary while reducing static charges.

But what about electroplating? How does it measure up versus coating and what makes it so important to industrial practices? From an electroplating Alberta company here are some things to consider.

The Benefits of Electroplating

One of the most interesting facts about electroplating is that it adds properties to a metal that it would not otherwise have on its own. With the use of various electrolytes, including copper, silver, gold, and nickel, under different conditions, electroplating can add a coating that makes the part look new while also enhancing its properties in certain ways. For example, silver can enhance conductivity in a part, and gold plating is often used in switchgears in the telecommunications industry.

There are very important benefits that electroplating offers the manufacturing sector. These enhanced features include:

• Friction Reduction: Nickel plating can reduce friction, and in turn, wear on manufacturing equipment.
• Electricity Conductivity: Use a silver plate can enhance electrical flow in manufacturing components for increased cost-effective efficiency.

Plus, as a way to save economically, rather than higher-cost platings like silver, gold, and palladium, there is an alternative. Tin plating is a very popular option in several industrial applications. From hardware products to electronic parts to fasteners, nuts and bolts, tin plating is cost-effective and offers the corrosion resistance needed to ensure quality components with high solderability.

So while coating provides an excellent way to produce highly durable parts in the manufacturing industry, electroplating also has the ability to create components with the same protective results. Electroplating goes further by enhancing components with properties that would otherwise be missing from industrial products.

Both methods are essential but electroplating is better suited for critical components because of its protective qualities as well as making parts more durable for long-lasting products.