Plating

With plating capabilities and expertise in three locations, the Hermetic Solutions Group has decades of experience in plating a variety of metals including: aluminum, titanium, iron/nickel alloys, copper and even our explosively bimetallic transition materials.

We have a staff of certified chemical and process engineers which allows us to plate your parts in house where we can maintain finite control over these critical finishing process. Additionally, we are focused on being environmentally responsible with our plating facilities and have taken the necessary precautions to make sure we are meeting strict environmental standards both in the USA and in the UK.

Our Internal Plating Capabilities

Chromate Conversion Plating: MIL–DTL–5541

In this process, a part’s metal surface is converted to a superficial layer containing a complex mixture of chromium compounds. The chromate film, soft when freshly formed, becomes more abrasive resistant after drying. Chromate conversion coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance.

Electroless Nickel: AMS-C-26074 Class 3 & 4; AMS-2404 Class 3 & 4; ASTM-B488: Type I, Code A & C, Type II Grade C, Type III Grade A

This process involves the plating of nickel deposits, which may contain phosphorus and boron, onto catalytic metallic or catalyzed non-metallic substrates by chemical reduction. Electroless nickel coatings produce very uniform, hard, and lubricious coatings, without an externally applied electric current, and are normally identified according to their phosphorus content.

Plating Specification*	Notes	Thickness**
AMS-2404, Class 3 Electroless Nickel	Electroless nickel is Enova 583. Mid-phos content of 4-8%	+/-50 microinches, minimum of 25 microinches, maximum 1000 microinches
AMS-2404, Class 4 Electroless Nickel
AMS-C-26074, Class 3, Grade A & B Electroless Nickel
AMS-C-26074, Class 4 & 5, Grade A & B Electroless Nickel
ASTM-B-733, Class 1, Type 1 & 4 only
ASTM-B-733, Class 4 & 5 Type I & IV only

Chromate Conversion Plating: MIL–DTL–5541

In this process, a part’s metal surface is converted to a superficial layer containing a complex mixture of chromium compounds. The chromate film, soft when freshly formed, becomes more abrasive resistant after drying. Chromate conversion coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance.

Electroless Nickel: AMS-C-26074 Class 3 & 4; AMS-2404 Class 3 & 4; ASTM-B488: Type I, Code A & C, Type II Grade C, Type III Grade A

This process involves the plating of nickel deposits, which may contain phosphorus and boron, onto catalytic metallic or catalyzed non-metallic substrates by chemical reduction. Electroless nickel coatings produce very uniform, hard, and lubricious coatings, without an externally applied electric current, and are normally identified according to their phosphorus content.

Electrolytic Gold – ASTM-B-488 and MIL-DTL-45204

Electrolytic gold delivers high electrical conductivity, solderability, weldability, infrared-reflectivity, and excellent corrosion resistance (as well as sealing the nickel surface to eliminate passivation). Electrolytic gold is used primarily in the electrical industry for RF connectors, printed circuits, and in the electronics industry for transistor integrated circuits.

Plating Specification	Thickness**
ASTM-B-488, Type I, Code A & C	+/-25 microinches, minimum of 25 microinches, maximum 250 microinches
ASTM-B-488, Type II & III, Code C
MIL-DTL-45204, Type I, Grade A & C
IL-DTL-45204, Type II, Grade CM
MIL-DTL-45204, Type III, Grade A

Electrolytic Gold – ASTM-B-488 and MIL-DTL-45204

Electrolytic gold delivers high electrical conductivity, solderability, weldability, infrared-reflectivity, and excellent corrosion resistance (as well as sealing the nickel surface to eliminate passivation). Electrolytic gold is used primarily in the electrical industry for RF connectors, printed circuits, and in the electronics industry for transistor integrated circuits.

Electrolytic Nickel – QQ-N-290

Electrolytic nickel uses an external current supply to plate nickel to various substrates. It is one of the most widely used plating types because it can be welded (unlike electroless nickel). Electrolytic nickel comes in different forms. One of the most popular forms is sulfamate nickel, which has a dull, matte finish, and is often used as an undercoating for gold applications.

Plating Specification*	Notes	Thickness**
AMS-QQ-N-290, Class 1	Use of other grades possible depending on geometry and base metal	+/-50 microinches, minimum of 25 microinches, maximum 400 microinches
AMS-QQ-N-290, Class 2

*Grade call-outs on the nickel specifications are for thickness. The Hermetic Solutions Group generally calls out its own thickness ranges.

**Thickness ranges are best-case, these can be effected by geometry and base metal.

Electrolytic Nickel – QQ-N-290

Electrolytic nickel uses an external current supply to plate nickel to various substrates. It is one of the most widely used plating types because it can be welded (unlike electroless nickel). Electrolytic nickel comes in different forms. One of the most popular forms is sulfamate nickel, which has a dull, matte finish, and is often used as an undercoating for gold applications.

Analysis and Inspection

Our plating laboratories accommodate the ability for analysis on all processing chemistries, along with an x-ray fluorescence analyzer to confirm plating thickness. As part of our commitment to quality and conformance, below is sampling of what solution analyses and testing we perform in support of chemical processing:

• Metallographic preparation
• Salt spray testing
• Heat resistance testing
• Other testing in support of AC7108
• Adhesion testing (bend test)
• Conductivity testing
• B15-resitivitiy testing
• Coating thickness measurement
• Solution analysis

Certifications

Please check out our Brands for information about our various certifications by location, including Nadcap.