Plating Coverage using Internal Anodes

Electroless Plating Alternative

When electroless plating is not an option and the plating thicknesses of electrolytic coatings are of high importance on the internal surfaces of a part such as cavities/bores, cylinders or the inside of accumulators, the use of an internal anodes is the only alternative to achieve complete and uniform coverage on the interior of components.

Without the use of a supplementary electrically conductive anode you can typically expect a plating thickness ratio of 1:5 from internal to external surfaces on a cavity as small as 70mm in length. This ratio will increase if the cavity is longer, and at worst case could result in no coatings being deposited. Therefore the internal anode will alter the current distribution in electroplating and give a more uniform thickness throughout a cavity or interior surface.

Paramount Metal Finishing has decades of experience in designing the necessary tooling to maximize the properties of using of internal anodes. These fixtures will ensure a smooth, homogenous internal coating, similar in thickness, performance and appearance to that of external plating deposits.

Internal anode plating is a unique way of maximizing corrosion protection on the inside of parts, especially items of intricate designs and configurations such as pipes, tubes, chassis and cup shaped items.

Paramount Metal Finishing can accommodate internal anode plating to a wide range of complex parts with zinc plating for parts up to 11 feet in length; zinc nickel plating, bright tin plating for parts up to 9 feet long.

Smaller size projects for plating of gold, silver and indium plating can be performed as well with internal anode technology. Paramount also offers complete and uniform coverage utilizing electroless nickel plating (ASTM B733 and AMS-C-26074) for parts up to 9 feet in length.

Electrolytic Zinc plating ASTM B633, Zinc Nickel AMS 2417, ASTM B841

When a consistent paint thickness is of the highest importance the use of Robotic Spraying is a great option to achieve a complete and even coverage on both the exteriors and interiors configurations of a part. Complex parts can be sprayed consistently with the use of robotics. Paramount Metal Finishing has decades of experience for Robotic Paint Spraying.

Paramount Metal Finishing has the capability of Robotic wet spraying and powder coating of large production programs for the die casting industry, telecommunication, Medical and Military components. With an in-house capability of pretreatment, plating, anodizing and masking combined with our robotic spraying capability Paramount is well suited for complicated and intricate coating programs.

Paramount Metal Finishing is a specialist in high volume Robotic Paint Spraying in wet and powder and is an integrated coating applicator to ASTM, AMS and Military Specifications. We have capabilities to Plate, Anodize, Hard Coat Anodize, Sanchem, Conversion Coat, Paint, Powder Coat and Dry Film Lube in one location.

Plating, Painting, Anodizing quotation information

Plating, Anodizing, Coating and Painting processes, although sounding simple these can be complex projects with many variables. Different substrates require different processes and handling. Part designs may require the omission of plating and/or painting in certain areas adding the process of masking. Many specifications require rigorous testing and validations to confirm that certain parameters are met. Some substrates require processes that may not always be indicated on the drawing or known to a buyer. One example can be packaging requirements. The way a part is packed can have a large impact on price due to much of the finishing cost is the cost of material handling. Parts that are individually racked and wrapped are much more costly to process than parts bulk processed and bulk packed.

Paramount Metal Finishing has over 5 decades of experience in the finishing industry.  How can we ensure you get the best pricing and right process? When you require a quotation, please provide as much information as possible. Here are some suggestions that can help us get you what you need. All of these may not apply and a customer may not have all the answers, but the more information you can supply, the more accurate your quote will be. It will also add to the success of your project!

CUSTOMER INFORMATION:

• Company name and address
• Contact name and phone
• Contact email address

PART INFORMATION:

• Part Number and Revision
• Part Description(s)
• Base Material: aluminum 6061, 302 SS, Inconel, etc…
• Surface area/volume of part (if this is on the drawing it will accelerate the quote turnaround time)
• Weight of part
• Quantity of parts per release and EAU (this can help us determine the size of the program)
• What are the parts used for? (Very Important: this determines the criticality of your project)
• Material Hardness- Rockwell Hardness, Temper or Heat Treat (this determines process parameters of thermal treatments)

PROCESS INFORMATION:

• Plating/Painting Process Specification and revision (unless otherwise noted PMF will process to latest revision)
• Testing Requirements-Salt Spray, Coating weight, Abrasion testing…
• Critical Surface(s), Finish or Dimensions) on Parts.
• Are the parts for rack or barrel (bulk) process?
• Where can the parts be held during plating or painting? (thru holes, tapped holes…)
• Where are racks marks or contact marks allowed?
• Special Handling or Packaging Requirements
• Are Special Gages Required (Please Provide)
• Plating Thickness and Point(s) of measure unless defined on drawing.
• Masking Requirement, if applicable (Please provide legible blueprint, either hard copy or electronic)
• Stress Relief or Hydrogen Embrittlement (HER) bake times and temperatures unless defined by process specification)
• Oiling after process, if required
• Additional Inspection Criteria not defined in the Specification, i.e., High Temperature Bake, Testing, Visual Acceptance Criteria
• Inspection Level, i.e., 100%, AQL, Modified AQL or other.
• Tolerance Parameters- Maximum & Minimum tolerances

Paramount Metal Finishing is a specialist in high volume, cost effective finishing and is an integrated coating applicator to ASTM, AMS and Military Specifications. We have capabilities to Plate, Anodize, Hard Coat Anodize, Sanchem, Conversion Coat, Paint, Powder Coat and Dry Film Lube in one location.

None chromate and None Chrome Conversion Coating

Sanchem on Zinc, Aluminum and Magnesium

Paramount Metal Finishing applies Sanchem conversion coatings on zinc, magnesium and aluminum. Sanchem is a RoHS compliant chromate-free conversion coating that leaves an electrically conductive clear to gold protective surface treatment. Sanchem is an excellent preparation of aluminum, magnesium or zinc substrates for paint, powder coating and e-coat as well as adhesives. Sanchem can produce far better coating adhesion comparable to hexavalent chromate conversion coatings.

Sanchem is a high-performance conversion coating that offers:

• Clear or gold RoHS compliant coating
• Chromate free
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Electrically conductive film on wrought aluminum, aluminum castings, magnesium and zinc as well galvanized steel.
• Excellent pretreatment for paint
• High-temperature applications
• Salt Spray 168 hours on aluminum castings
• Cost-effective coating
• Used in sensitive military and medical applications.

Paramount Metal Finishing applies Sanchem conversion coatings to Zinc, Aluminum, and Magnesium cast or wrought substrates. Paramount Metal Finishing can coat Sanchem treated substrates with various paints, powder coatings and dry-film lubricants.

Visit our website www.pmf1.com or contact us at 908-862-0772. For an online quotation e-mail us a drawing with RFQ details to sales.paramount@pmfnj.com.

The annual global cost of corrosion is $2.5 trillion, equivalent to 3.4% of the worldwide GDP. In the US, the annual cost of corrosion surged past $1 trillion, affecting our national GDP by 6.2%. Corrosion affects infrastructure, transportation, production & manufacturing, utilities, and the federal government.

Chemical based methods to control the detriments of corrosion include:

• Metallic plated deposits with optional organic / chromate top coats.
• Corrosion inhibitor films.
• Non metallic parts in the form of polymers and plastics.
• Organic coatings such as paint & powder coat.

Per the values given, the traditional methods to control corrosion fall short, In fact, far short.

In a major development to minimize corrosion, thereby improving field service life of parts in challenging conditions, Zinc – Nickel alloy (ZN-Ni) plated finishes provide significant benefits. These include not only corrosion protection, but improved hardness, service life, and wear resistance.

Straight zinc plated deposits provide sacrificial corrosion protection over steel substrates. It is accomplished by the zinc deposit’s anodic potential to corrode first, protecting the steel base. This has been an industry accepted application for decades.

Paramount Metal Finishing offers a unique, significant improvement to corrosion protection. It is the Zinc – Nickel alloy deposit (Zn-Ni), composed of 85% Zinc & 15% Nickel. The focus of corrosion protection is immediately obvious by results of the ASTM B-117 Salt Spray Testing, on equivalent deposit thicknesses.

Salt Spray Results for Electroplated Deposits

The corrosion protection afforded by a deposit of Zn-Ni significantly outperforms straight Zinc by 2.7:1 (white corrosion) and significantly by 4.9:1 to red corrosion.

The Zn-Ni alloy deposit consists of 85% Zinc and 15% Nickel. Deposits normally range in thickness of 8-14 um, followed by a trivalent chromate of 0.06-0.1 um thickness.

Zn-Ni deposits approach 450 Vickers hardness. By comparison, Zinc deposits fall below 150 Vickers.

Zn-Ni deposits resist thermal stresses approaching 200 degC (392 degF) compared to Zinc deposits at only 120 degC (248 degF.

Other outstanding features of the Zn-Ni deposit include:

• RoHS and REACH compliant
• Meets requirements of ELV Directive
• Post plating chromates applied are RoHS compliant
• Excellent replacement for Cadmium plated deposits (eliminates possible carcinogenic exposure to Cadmium)
• Minimal tendency towards hydrogen embrittlement

Paramount Metal Finishing applies Zn-Ni to a variety of commercial and military parts, including:  automotive, power generation, fasteners, construction, agricultural equipment, firearms, aerospace, lawn & garden, transportation, and heavy equipment.

Finishing capabilities range from standard parts to larger sizes and dimensions,