Mechanical Plating Services

Mechanical plating and galvanizing are done at room-temperature processes in which metal coatings are applied to parts without an electrical charge and without high heating temperatures. The metallic coating is produced by tumbling the parts in a lined barrel with a mixture of glass impact beads, water, chemicals, and metal powder. Mechanical energy is produced through the tumbling action of the barrel and the glass beads “cold weld” the metal powder to the parts’ surface giving it a functional finish. Once the mechanical plating procedure has been completed, the parts are then rinsed and given a final water polish to brighten and consolidate the coating. Because of the porosity of mechanically applied coatings, hydrogen is able to escape within 24 hours, thus eliminating hydrogen embrittlement.

Coatings that can be applied using the mechanical plating method include zinc, tin, lead, gold, copper, silver, cadmium, indium and more. As a general rule of thumb, mechanical plated finishes are not quite as good in appearance as electroplating, but the mechanical performance is usually better.