General

The term ‘electroplating’ describes in essence the process of electrochemically depositing metallic films onto items. In the actual electroplating process current gets applied to an electrolytic bath by means of electrodes. At the plus pole (anode) is the metal that is to be applied to the item (e.g. copper or nickel) and at the minus pole (cathode) the electrically conductive item to be coated. The direct electric current releases metal ions from the consumable electrode and through a process of reduction deposits these onto the item. The item to be treated thus gets metallically coated on all sides. The coating thickness to be achieved gets controlled by various parameters such as the time in the bath, the strength of the electric current and/or the spread and density of the electrical field. As due to the shape of the parts to be plated the electric field is not created evenly, but tends instead to have greater field strengths at sharp-edged points and ends, the thickness of the coating increases in these areas.

Plating properties

Shine / Levelling / Ductility / Hardness / Coating combinations

For decorative applications in particular the shine of the plating is of great importance. To create a high level of shine special brighteners are therefore used at various stages of the process. Any roughness or seams can to a limited extent be levelled out and the ductility of the deposited layers can to a certain degree also be controlled. The use of chrome gives the surface additional protection / hardness and makes it glide better and resist wear. In practice coating combinations (such as copper, nickel, chrome) and multiple nickel coats are in daily use, with the actual levels of coat thickness being in the µm range, e.g. copper: 20 to 35µm; nickel: 10 to 15µm; chrome: 0.3 to 0.8µm (1µm = 1/1,000mm)

Electroplating of plastics

It is not only metal parts that can be electroplated. By using special pre-treatment processes, injection-moulded parts made of various plastics (such as ABS, PC/ABS etc.) can also be made conductive and then electroplated. Simon Electroplating applies copper, nickel (gloss / pearlescent aluminium look / satin / micro-pore) and chrome plating using environmentally friendly processes to plastic parts made of ABS and PC/ABS. You will already find Simon surfaces today in the automotive sector, in the field of sanitaryware, furniture fittings and medical equipment and in stationery and promotional products. Our surfaces comply with a multitude of specifications and process regulations laid down by the car-making industry.