Chrome electroplating is often used for components from the automotive and furniture industries. However, due to their decorative look, many other sectors use electroplated coatings as industrial coatings. What is more, chromium coatings offer a high degree of hardness and good corrosion protection, which can be further increased when using hard chrome. Hard chrome electroplating comes into play when it comes to the coating of heavily stressed workpieces, such as brake disks, ball valves in pipelines or rollers and cylinders of all kinds.

Being able to turn non-precious metals into gold has been a dream of mankind for as long as anyone can remember. Although we cannot fulfill this dream either, we can finish metallic components with gold plating. During electroplating, a steady current flow from an electrolyte enriched with salts and gold ions deposits the gold onto the component's conductive surface. Gold coatings are generally characterized by high ductility, resistance to tarnishing, good solderability and a low, specific electrical resistance.

We offer both common gold plating and gold/cobalt alloy coatings, which are more resistant to wear and harder. Both types of surface coatings are suitable, for instance, for electroplating plug connectors for the electronics industry. However, these coatings are also worth considering when it comes to batteries, professional halogen lamps, components used in the aerospace industry, radar equipment and high-temperature soldering.

Nickel electroplating is a process during which metallic workpieces are coated with nickel. Nickel has a silvery color with a slightly yellowish tint. The deposition of the nickel coating occurs in an electrolytic way via so-called nickel electrolytes. Subtle irregularities on the workpiece surface are compensated by special organic additives contained in the electrolyte and by the adjustment of certain process parameters. These measures result in the creation of a shiny finish. Nickel electroplating increases both the material's corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.

When it comes to decorative applications, nickel-plated components are a possible alternative to chrome coatings. Be it matte or polished to a shine, nickel coatings can be customized to your individual needs. Aalberts surface technologies has been a successful provider of high-quality nickel electroplating services for the automobile and electronics industries for years.

Silver plating involves the use of current in electrolytes enriched with silver salts to deposit silver onto conductive workpiece surfaces. Silver coatings are characterized by excellent electrical conductivity, good chemical resistance and high ductility, which is why they are ideal for soldering. What is more, they reduce transition resistances and have a self-lubricating effect.

Due to their excellent electrical conductivity, silver coatings are used, inter alia, in the electronics, high-voltage and telecommunications industries. Besides, Aalberts surface technologies has a long history of cooperating with renowned companies from the food and chemicals industries. Stainless steel connectors and shut-off valves, for example, are finished with silver plating to reliably prevent fretting and corrosion.

Zinc-iron plating is a galvanic coating process for technical and decorative surfaces. Characterized by increased temperature resistance, zinc-iron coatings show their strength when subjected to extreme temperature loads. Following the application of a sealing layer, they offer excellent corrosion protection. Black or transparent passivation coatings may also be applied as follow-up coatings for zinc-iron finishes. Another advantage of this technique: Zinc-iron coatings are free from hexavalent chromium, which makes them eco-friendly.

Aalberts surface technologies offers this type of surface finish for steel alloys and ferrous materials, including cast iron. Typical applications can be found in the automotive and construction equipment industries, in the sheet metal processing industry, in the area of electrical engineering as well as in the equipment and mechanical engineering sectors.

Tin plating involves the use of current in electrolytes enriched with tin salts to deposit tin onto conductive workpiece surfaces. Aalberts surface technologies offers tin plating services for aluminum alloys as well as for non-ferrous metals, ferrous materials, stainless steel, titanium materials and die-cast zinc parts.

The advantages of tin coatings:

• Good solderability
• High ductility
• Good electrotechnical properties
• Excellent corrosion protection, also on copper and steel
• Resistant to organic acids (in the absence of oxygen)
• Self-lubricating

Tin plating is primarily used for technical parts which have to be conductive, solderable and electromagnetically shielded, as is the case, for example, with housings of electric plugs or plug contacts. Self-lubricating bearings also fall within the scope of application of tin plating. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like to discuss the application possibilities and viable alternatives.