Plating vs Anodizing vs Electropolishing
Three electrochemical surface treatments, three different results. See what plating, anodizing and electropolishing each change on a part — and how to choose.
Journal
Read buying guides, product notes, material stories, and field updates from the team.
Three electrochemical surface treatments, three different results. See what plating, anodizing and electropolishing each change on a part — and how to choose.
Gold plating on contacts and lead frames buys stable, low-resistance, wire-bondable surfaces. See where gold earns its cost and how lines control thickness.
Silver plating gives electronics the best conductivity per micron. See where it beats ENIG and tin, the tarnish management it needs, and the equipment that runs it.
Plastic can be chrome-plated — after etching, activation and autocatalytic nickel. See the full process chain and the line equipment behind decorative plastic plating.
Ultrasonic cleaning and vapor degreasing both remove oil and chips. See how they differ in mechanism, throughput, chemistry and the lines that run them.
Cadmium plating still spec'd in aerospace for sacrificial corrosion and lubricity. See where it holds, the health and environment constraints, and the alternatives.
Paint, plating, anodizing, passivation, PVD and more — see the main surface treatment families, what each costs to run, and how to choose between them.
Metal finishing covers cleaning, plating, conversion and verification. See how the pieces fit, what each does, and how a line turns them into output.
Steel is the most plated substrate. See the main coating types — zinc, nickel, tin, copper and chrome — and when each one earns its place on a line.
Coating thickness decides corrosion life and cost. See how XRF and eddy current testing work, when each method fits, and how to set up QC on a plating line.
Recommended products
Popular pieces selected to support the routines, repairs, and ideas featured in our journal.

The electrical control core of non-standard equipment: PLC programmable logic controllers deliver high-precision motion control, multi-layer safety interlocking and real-time production data interaction for flexible, stable operation. ES-PRO builds electrical control as the foundation for multiple automation line solutions balancing standardization and customization, meeting and exceeding industry standards. Intelligent, reliable solutions for the surface treatment equipment sector.

Hot air circulation heating ensures uniform heat distribution across workpieces, preventing localized overheating or under-baking. Precise temperature control and energy-saving design cut energy consumption while improving heat-treatment efficiency; multiple heating methods and optional dehumidification meet stringent process requirements. Widely used in electroplating and coating for drying and curing, ideal for rack-plated parts, barrel-plated parts and precision components.

Exhaust and treatment systems built from flame-retardant PPS, PVC and FRP deliver fire resistance and corrosion protection. Acid-alkaline exhaust, chromium mist, cyanide compounds and organic vapors are captured by category and treated with advanced purification, keeping emissions consistently compliant. Applicable to electroplating, electroless plating and coating workshops; customized to local environmental policies for discharge compliance, essential for green production.