HOW TO CREATE SHINY METAL SURFACES WITH ELECTROPLATING

Electroplating is a service that enables various materials to resemble a metal surface. Cheaper metals such as steel and iron are also coated with gold or silver to make them look like precious metals.

Metals that rust and corrode easily, like steel and iron, often need a protective coating on them to resist corrosion. To ensure metal surfaces don’t corrode, iron and steel surfaces are coated with zinc and chrome to make them resistant to corrosion.

Manufacturers across different segments are keen on having different options when it comes to metal surfaces. Some need really affordable, high-quality products. Electroplating is a good idea for such situations.

Meeting the criteria of manufacturers that seek a brilliant, reflective appearance for their parts and components is one of the most difficult tasks that most steel manufacturing companies in Dubai confront. This is especially true in instances where a high level of visual appeal is required to make the end product more appealing to potential purchasers.

Clearly, the substance used for electroplating or coating will have a significant influence on the level of brightness of the finish. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, as well as "conventional" metals like nickel and chromium, have a higher luster than lead or zinc. However, there are a number of other aspects that will have a direct impact on how brilliant or dull a finish will be.

With an experience of nearly three decades, Khambati Metal Industries is one of the oldest electroplating companies in the UAE. In this article, Khambati Metal Industries will show how shiny metal surfaces are created using electroplating.

Before We Begin, Let Us First See What Electroplating Actually Is.

An electric current is used in the electroplating process to deposit a thin coating of material on top of an item. Its primary applications are to enhance wear resistance, defend against corrosion, increase thickness, or modify the visual appeal of an object. It is also used to provide conductivity, and heat resistance, aid in the prevention of oxidation, and meet the needs of technical teams in the aerospace, automotive, computer, military, space exploration, medical devices, healthcare, telecom, and other sectors.

You can find many different products that are electroplated and used at the shops of different metal trading companies in the UAE.

Now Let Us See the Steps of Attaining Shiny Metal Surfaces with Electroplating

Review the Condition of the Base Metal

The condition of the underlying base metal is the most significant consideration when attempting to obtain a brilliant and shiny finish on any metal. If the surface of the base metal has scratches, fractures, machining lines, corrosion, porosity, or other problems, full plating or coating will be difficult and near to impossible, if not completely impossible, to achieve optimum brightness. In these cases, pre-polishing and preparation of the base metal are frequently necessary to enhance the base metal quality. You will find this procedure is followed by most leading galvanizing companies in the UAE.

Examine the Levelling and Brightening

The capacity of the electroplating bath to form thicker deposits in small, recessed places on the surface of the base metal and thinner deposits on little protrusions is referred to as leveling. The capacity of the bath to form minute crystallite deposits smaller than the wavelengths of visible light is referred to as brightening. Chemical additives can be used to manage the amount of leveling and brightening in the bath, which will have a considerable influence on the amount of brightness and reflectivity.

For higher brightness, special chemicals are used in increased quantities, whereas many people prefer matte finishing. For such finishing, other additives which can produce matte finishing are preferred.

Understanding Customer and End-User Needs

Understanding what an end-user wants and what your customer wants is the most important part of any aesthetic-related business. Electroplating is one such business that needs a lot of consideration from the end-user and customer.

That is why the metal finishing business you select should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the customer's expectations for the completed end product. The electroplating companies in Dubai should collaborate closely with the customer to create a customized method that achieves the required outcome. This may help in creating a prototype before customers and proceeding with full-scale manufacturing to guarantee that the metal industries in the UAE and the customer are on the same page.

Use Post-Plate Buffing

Buffing after electroplating may assist in generating a brighter finish on parts, just as it can improve the appearance of the finish on your car. It can also eliminate any leftover scratches or other small flaws that are not deeply ingrained in the part's surface. Buffing is an essential step, even for matte products. Buffing ensures that excess product is scrubbed off and the appearance of the entire surface stays monotonous and even.

The evenness of the surface is one property that is highly desired by most people in their end products. If you fail in getting this done, the customer may feel unhappy. That is why choosing the right electroplating company that is experienced and knows what they do is very essential when it comes to electroplating.

What Material Can Be Electro-Plated?

Other metals are the best choice for electroplating. Generally, cheaper metals are coated with premium metals such as gold, silver, and platinum to make them appear real. On the other hand, many other materials that are non-metallic can also be electroplated. The process of electroplating such products is quite easy, albeit a bit difficult. Materials such as plastics and composite materials can also be electroplated and have many applications in the industry. From defense to medical devices, electroplated products have a wide range of applications. Most steel suppliers in Dubai have a different range of electroplated products.

Concluding Lines

Electroplating is a widely used metal finishing process across various industries. Choosing the right electroplating company in Dubai that can supply a good quality product becomes an important factor when it comes to finishing.