Plating Services

Corrosion Protection, Conductivity & Precision Surface Engineering

Close-up of shiny metal cylindrical parts with threaded ends, likely machined components or connectors, stacked on a metallic surface.
Colorful bolts and nuts arranged on a white background.
A person's palm holding several small gold-colored metal L-shaped fittings.

Precision Metal Plating for Performance-Critical Components

Engineered coatings for corrosion resistance, wear protection, and electrical performance.

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What Is Metal Plating?

Metal plating is an electrochemical process that deposits a thin layer of metal onto a substrate to enhance:

  • Corrosion resistance

  • Wear resistance

  • Electrical conductivity

  • Solderability

  • Cosmetic appearance

Core Plating Types

Assorted hardware including silver brackets, silver bolts, gold-colored bolts, and gold washers on a light gray surface.
Diagram of galvanized steel protection process, showing a steel beam and a cross-section of steel coated with zinc.
Close-up of metal washers on the left and metal cogs on the right, showing industrial components.

ZINC PLATING (Corrosion Protection Workhorse)

🔧 What It Does:

  • Acts as a sacrificial coating (protects steel by corroding first)

  • Common for fasteners, brackets, and general hardware

Common Finishes:

  • Clear (Blue) Zinc

  • Yellow Chromate (Gold tint)

  • Black Zinc

Typical Thickness:

  • 0.0002” – 0.0005”

MIL & Industry Specs

  • ASTM B633

  • MIL-DTL-16232

  • ISO 4042

Engineer Notes:

  • Threads typically still functional (thin coating)

  • Hydrogen embrittlement risk ⚠️ (requires baking)

  • Not ideal for marine environments without sealing

Best Use Cases:

  • Fasteners

  • Structural brackets

  • Sheet metal parts

Comparison chart of zinc and nickel plating highlighting differences in cost, durability, and aesthetics.
Close-up of stacked metal parts with a workshop background.
Stacked metal ball bearings in a clean, white environment.

NICKEL PLATING (Wear + Corrosion + Appearance)

🔹 Types of Nickel Plating

1. Electroless Nickel (HIGH VALUE)

  • Uniform coating (no current required)

  • Excellent for complex geometry

Thickness:

  • 0.0002” – 0.002”

2. Electrolytic Nickel

  • Brighter finish

  • Less uniform in deep features

MIL & Industry Specs

  • MIL-C-26074

  • AMS 2404

  • ASTM B733

Performance Benefits:

  • 🛡️ High corrosion resistance

  • ⚙️ Wear resistance

  • 📏 Uniform thickness (critical for precision parts)

  • 🔩 Good for tight tolerances

Engineer Notes:

  • Minimal dimensional distortion

  • Can replace hard chrome in some applications

  • Great for sealing porous materials

Best Use Cases:

  • Aerospace components

  • Precision machined parts

  • Wear surfaces

  • Oil & gas components

Close-up of a yellow-haired hairbrush with evenly spaced plastic bristles.
Comparison of metal parts before and after plating. Before plating, the parts are uncoated; after plating, they have a silver coating on a nickel undercoating and a gold surface plating.
Six spark plug electrodes with metal shells and gold-colored tips, arranged in a row.

GOLD PLATING (Electrical + High Reliability)

What It Does:

  • Superior electrical conductivity

  • Corrosion resistance (does not oxidize)

  • Ideal for low-voltage / signal applications

Typical Stack:

  • Base material → Nickel underlayer → Gold plating

Thickness:

  • 0.00001” – 0.0001” (typical)

MIL & Industry Specs

  • MIL-DTL-45204

  • ASTM B488

Engineer Notes:

  • Thin gold = conductivity only

  • Thick gold = wear resistance

  • Always applied over nickel for adhesion

Best Use Cases:

  • Electrical connectors

  • PCB contacts

  • Aerospace electronics

  • High-reliability systems

Design For Plating

1

Thread Buildup

  • Plating adds thickness → threads tighten

  • Solution:

    • Oversize threads

    • Post-tap if required

2

Edge Buildup (High Current Areas)

  • Edges plate thicker

  • Can cause:

    • Fitment issues

    • Uneven coating

3

Low Current Areas

  • Deep pockets plate thinner

  • Risk:

    • Incomplete coverage

4

Hydrogen Embrittlement (Critical)

  • Affects high-strength steels

  • Must be baked after plating

Plating Thickness & Tolerance Impact

Process Thickness Tolerance Impact
Zinc Low Minimal
Nickel Medium Moderate
Gold Very Low Minimal

Plating VS Other Finishes

Requirement Best Choice
Corrosion (low cost) Zinc
Wear resistance Nickel
Electrical conductivity Gold
Cosmetic durability Powder Coat
Lightweight corrosion Anodize

Hydrogen embrittlement relief baking available for high-strength components.

Three steel test panels labeled 'New Galvanized Steel,' 'White Rust Corrosion,' and 'Passivated Galvanized Steel' showing different corrosion and galvanization conditions.
Diagram illustrating the formation of mineral deposits in the Earth's crust through different geological processes: (a) mineral layer formation, (b) mineral deposit accumulation, (c) mineral concentration by geological activity, and (d) mineral mine extraction.
Close-up of a computer circuit board with damaged and corroded gold and silver connector contacts.

Common Defects

  • Burning (high current areas)

  • Pitting

  • Poor adhesion

  • Uneven thickness

We identify plating risks during quoting before production.

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Ready to Start Your Project?

Take the next step toward precision manufacturing with Max Machining. Whether you have a 2D drawing, a 3D model, or just a concept, our team is ready to provide a fast, accurate quote and guide your project from design to production. Partner with a compliant, trusted, and experienced manufacturing team that delivers quality, speed, and reliability every time.

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