APT BLOG

Passivation of Stainless Steel for Critical Applications

Posted on

By S Patel

passivated metal springs Passivation is a critical processing step in the manufacturing of stainless steel components to enhance the corrosion resistance and make stainless steel parts truly “stain-less.” Proper passivation of stainless steel components can make the difference between satisfactory field performance and premature corrosion failures.  If performed improperly, the passivation process can actually attack and etch the stainless surface or induce corrosion. Passivation is often misunderstood to be a scale removal or bright dipping process when in fact it is fully removed from either of these processes.  The information within the blog serves to detail some of the key principles of passivation of stainless steel offered by Advanced Plating Technologies. Continue reading →

SILVER PLATING –An Engineering Finish Gaining in Popularity Within Various Industries

Posted on

 

Silver Plating of Electrical Components Silver plating offers a range of physical and electrical properties that make it extremely useful for industrial applications. Due to the current increases in the cost of other precious metals such as gold, palladium and rhodium, silver is a cost-effective alternative precious metal for various electrical, thermal and mechanical applications. For these reasons, silver has continued to grow as the finish of choice for various product designs and applications.

Silver has extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity – better than that of gold – which has solidified its use in high current power transmission and lower current power connector applications. Silver also is an excellent high temperature lubricant and can be utilized for various high temperature anti-galling applications within the bearing or fastener industries. Continue reading →

Stringent Process, Tooling and Inspection Requirements Essential for Medical Grade Gold Plating

Posted on

By M.  Lindstedt

Gold Plating Services – Delicate and Micro Parts
Gold plating services within the medical, electronic or telecommunications markets often involves the application of gold deposits on very small or micro parts.  In these industries, there is an on-going emphasis on Swiss and micro machining of smaller and gold-bars1 smaller components to meet design requirements.  In turn, the metal finishing supplier needs to be able process increasing smaller parts when processing these components. The technique of gold plating delicate and micro parts involves more than just the gold plating process.  The metal finisher needs to be able to clean, rinse, dry and inspect the deposits on these difficult components as well.  As such, the job shop needs to utilize not only the proper process method but have adequate line and inspection equipment to properly plate delicate and micro parts in gold. Continue reading →