Mechanical plating (also called electroless plating) is a process of depositing a metallic coating over the metal components using mechanical energy. Using the industrial mechanical plating method, you can apply a wide variety of coatings such as zinc, nickel, tin, lead, gold, copper, silver, cadmium and indium on various components and products. Mechanical plating also eliminates hydrogen embrittlement.

Some industries that extensively use mechanical plating are the aerospace, automotive, electronics, marine and construction industries.

Some important parameters you must consider before you buy mechanical plating equipment or use mechanical plating services are:

1. The application for which you want to use industrial mechanical plating
2. The coating you want to apply using mechanical plating method
3. The base material on which you want to apply mechanical plating

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy industrial mechanical plating equipment from reputable manufacturers

Once you identify your requirements, go to a reputable mechanical plating manufacturer to buy appropriate mechanical plating equipment.

I recommend: Plating Systems & Technologies is one of the leading manufacturers of equipment for mechanical plating. In addition, the US division of Atotech, a well-known manufacturer of mechanical plating equipment, offers a range of mechanical plating equipment.

Evaluate mechanical plating services provided by different service providers

Many companies specialize in providing mechanical plating services to a particular industry. Try to locate the best service provider that match your needs and offer you the optimum service fee.

I recommend: DynaBurr offers mechanical plating services to the automotive and construction industry. You can also go to Cadon Plating Company, a leading service provider of mechanical plating services to the automotive industry. In addition, you can check out the services of All Service Metal Treating Co, another major mechanical plating services provider. Omni Metal Finishing offers various services, such as electroless nickel plating on all metals, especially for the aerospace industry. Another leading service provider to the aerospace industry is Custom Industrial Processing, who provides mechanical plating services for a variety of metals such as low carbon steel, cold-rolled steel, sintered iron, bronze and brass.

Buy glass beads for your mechanical plating process from a distributor of mechanical plating

Glass beads are an extremely important media in the mechanical plating process, as they transfer the mechanical energy onto the coating parts. Therefore, locate a reliable mechanical plating distributor for online purchase of glass beads for your mechanical plating process.

I recommend: Buy glass beads and other abrasive media from F&S Equipment & Supplies, a leading distributor of abrasives. Abrasives Unlimited is another mechanical plating distributor that also sells glass beads.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the metal components you want to coat are clean before starting the mechanical plating process. If you do not remove the unwanted soils and oil from the metal parts, it will result in poor plating.
• •  After the mechanical plating process, apply anti-oxidation or anti-tarnish chemicals and pure water on the finished surface to prevent unwanted stains.