Plating Process

Zinc plating offers excellent protection against corrosion on iron and steel components, with limited build up on threads and recessed areas.  It is commonly used on nuts and bolts, washers and brackets due to its protective nature and attractive appearance.  Zinc is a cost effective corrosion protection coating which can be used as a final finish or as a protective base coat for later functional or cosmetic finishes.

Sulphuric anodising is a process carried out specifically to aluminium.  Also referred to as decorative, natural, clear or satin anodising, this finish offers very good corrosive protection without drastically altering the colouring of the aluminium.  It can be completed to a specified RAL or BS colour.

Bright nickel is used in a wide range of applications.  It offers a high lustre finish, corrosion protection and wear resistance.

Electroless nickel is used predominately in the offshore oil industry for high spec, detailed components of all sizes where complete and oven coating is necessary both externally or internally including threaded parts.  This process is also provided to other clients such as MOD and communications industry, where very hard components are required for extreme conditions.

Zinc phosphate is a coarse finish in comparison to manganese.  This relative roughness ensures that it is ideal for use as a base for painting. Zinc phosphate finish is grey in appearance.

Due to its smoother finish, manganese phosphate is primarily requested for use on components where moving or wearing surfaces are involved.  Manganese phosphate is dark grey/black in appearance.

Alocrom 1200 is used for coating aluminium and aluminium alloys when the desired outcome is for corrosion resistant and electrical conductive finish.  When complete, the surface can be painted or left plain finished.  A golden coloured finish is produced with this coating.

Surtech 650 is a chromium free product used in passivating aluminium die cast or zinc die cast components.  This process produces a clear/very light blue coloured coating.  This satisfies the requirements of RoHS for non Chromatic conversion coating.

Black oxide provides a highly decorative black finish.  It greatly improves both the appearance of the part and its resistance to corrosion.  It will not affect the dimensions of the base object and will provide an even coating to threads and holes.

Capable of being deposited on most metals, copper offers excellent electrical conductivity qualities.  It can also be used as an undercoat prior to a top finish.

Tin is used widely in the electronics industry because of it ductility and ability to not only offer protection to the component, but also to enable items to be soldered afterwards.

Stainless steel passivating is used to remove any steel residues after engineering, cutting and fabrication works.  The chemical process successfully removes the iron compounds which can cause rusting, and restores the protective qualities of the stainless steel.

Xylan is generally used to reduce friction, improve wear resistance and for non steel applications.  It can also be used to protect metal from corrosion.  Xylan coatings are available in various colours by requirement.