Types of substrates for plating
Plating adhesion and pretreatment requirements vary significantly depending on the substrate. It is important to understand the properties of the substrate and select the appropriate plating process.
What Is a Plating Substrate?
The appropriate plating process depends on the substrate’s surface condition and how readily it oxidizes. Because the chemical properties of metals and resins affect coating adhesion, proper control of the surface condition is required.
Plating Properties and Challenges by Substrate
The following sections introduce common difficult-to-plate substrates.
Plating on Titanium
A tenacious passive film forms instantly on the surface, hindering plating adhesion. High-temperature heat treatment used to improve adhesion can cause thermal distortion in precision components. Plating on titanium is mainly used for medical implants and aerospace engine components.
Plating on Aluminum
Because the surface oxide film prevents adhesion, a special zinc displacement process known as zincate treatment is required in addition to standard cleaning. Plating on aluminum is widely used for spacecraft fuel tanks and structural components, as well as components used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Comparison Table of Major Substrates
This table summarizes the characteristics of plating on each substrate. Please use this table to compare substrates during material selection and design.
| Substrate | Adhesion Issues | Required Pretreatment | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium | Delamination caused by a strong passive film and the risk of thermal distortion from high-temperature processing | Special surface activation treatment for the substrate | Aerospace engine components, medical implants |
| Aluminum | Severe adhesion failure caused by the instant formation of an oxide film | Dedicated processes such as zincate treatment (zinc displacement process) | Spacecraft equipment (fuel tanks and structural components), semiconductor manufacturing equipment components |
Importance of the Pretreatment Process
For difficult-to-plate substrates, pretreatment that prepares the surface plays a critical role in plating quality. Performing substrate-specific pretreatments, including surface activation and displacement treatments such as zincate treatment, helps achieve strong adhesion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can titanium be plated without heat treatment?
Yes, by activating the surface through special pretreatment, plating without thermal distortion is possible.
What is zincate treatment?
This pretreatment dissolves the oxide film on aluminum and replaces it with zinc, helping prevent reoxidation.
How is plating adhesion evaluated and tested?
Adhesion is evaluated using tape tests and bend tests in accordance with ASTM B571.
Functional Plating Services
by Industry
and Component Type
Semiconductor Components
“We need a shop for difficult plating others declined.”
Japan, est. 1931
- Precious Metal Plating
for Micro Components - Mitsuya supports uniform precious metal plating on parts down to 0.1 mm in diameter. This can help improve precision and durability in semiconductor inspection equipment.
- High-Adhesion Plating
for Tips and Contacts - Mitsuya has developed an in-house process for titanium and tungsten that does not require heat treatment. It can support high-adhesion plating on pin and card contact areas.
- Support for New Product Development
- Engineers can consult Mitsuya before semiconductor IC specifications are finalized and verify performance through prototypes. This can help reduce development risk and rework costs.
- Electronics and Telecommunications
- Semiconductor Inspection Equipment
- Space Development
Automotive Components
“We need 10 million parts delivered on time, every time.”
U.S., est. 1932
- Consistent Quality and
Lead Times at Volume - Greystone has an annual mass-production record of 130 million automotive parts*1 through machining and plating.
- Single-Source Support from Processing through Plating
- Machining and plating are completed within the same group. Fewer delays between processes can help reduce costs.
- Quality Standards
Automakers Trust - All U.S. locations are IATF 16949 certified, with plating process control that meets OEM quality standards.
- Automotive
- Firearms
Aircraft
Components
“Nadcap is required. We need proven certification experience.”
U.S., est. 1960
- Smoother Approval
from Major Primes - An approved supplier to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and others, with more than 80 Nadcap-accredited processes.
- Aerospace & Defense Work on a Certification-First Basis
- Proven across a wide range of mission-critical components, including missiles and fighter aircraft.
- Meets Defense Standards, Even the Strictest
- Its cadmium-replacement zinc-nickel plating won a 2020 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award and has been used on the F-35*2.
- Aerospace and Defense
- Medical Devices
*2 Source: Anoplate official website https://www.anoplate.com/news-and-events/zinc-nickel-plating-highlights-2020-secretary-of-defense-environmental-award/