Specification Dashboard · Rev 4.2 · 2026
0+
Salt Spray Hours
ASTM B117 third-party verified
±0.0000"
Thickness Tolerance
Across 10,000-piece production runs
0
Finish Types
Across 6 base metal substrates
0
Base Metals
Steel · Zinc · Brass · ABS · Al · Cu

Precision electroplating for parts that ship by the million. MIL-spec adhesion. Consistent finish. Documented proof.

Request a Plating Spec ReviewDownload Salt Spray Data Sheets
§ 02 — Process Architecture

Four-stage deposition protocol. Zero shortcuts.

Every run follows the same documented sequence. Process parameters are logged per batch, and deviation triggers automatic hold-and-inspect before parts leave the line.

01

Substrate Preparation

pH 7.2 · 180°F · 8 min soak

Alkaline cleaning removes oils, oxides, and drawing compounds. Acid activation exposes a chemically uniform surface. Any contamination at this stage telegraphs through every subsequent layer.

▸Surface roughness target: Ra ≤ 0.8 µm before plating
02

Strike Layer Application

0.0001" – 0.0002" · 30 ASF · 60 sec

A thin, high-adhesion strike bonds the plating chemistry to the substrate. Strike bath composition is matched to each base metal — copper strike for steel, nickel strike for zinc die-cast.

▸Adhesion tested per ASTM B571: bend test at 180° with no flaking
03

Primary Plate Deposition

0.0002" – 0.001" · ±0.0003" tolerance

Controlled current density and bath chemistry deliver consistent deposit thickness across complex geometries. Rack positioning is engineered per part to equalize current distribution.

▸Thickness verified by XRF at 9 points per sample coupon
04

Post-Treatment & Passivation

Trivalent Cr · 72h minimum cure

Chromate conversion or passivation seals the deposit and initiates the corrosion barrier. Trivalent chromium processes are RoHS-compliant. Post-bake at 375°F eliminates hydrogen embrittlement risk in high-strength steel.

▸Salt spray per ASTM B117 — documented hours on file
Cross-Section · Not to ScaleFIG. 2.1
—
Base Metal
0.0001"
Strike Layer
0.0003"
Primary Deposit
0.00005"
Passivation
Total deposit thickness0.0004" – 0.0012"
NOTE: Thickness verified at 9 measurement points per ASTM B499. Statistical process control charts maintained for every bath.
Visual Inspection Standard
100% inspection under 5500K collimated light · ANSI/ASQC Z1.4
§ 03 — Materials Catalog

14 finish types. Specified by thickness.

Every finish is quoted with minimum and maximum deposit range. No "approximate" specs — your drawing tolerance is our process target.

Ni-E
500h SST

Electroless Nickel

Uniform deposit on complex geometry. No rack marks.

Thickness Range
0.0002" – 0.001"
Hardness
500–700 HV
Compatible Metals
Steel · Aluminum · Brass · Copper
Cr-H
1,200h SST

Hard Chrome

Wear and corrosion resistance for sliding contact surfaces.

Thickness Range
0.0005" – 0.010"
Hardness
900–1,100 HV
Compatible Metals
Steel
Zn-T3
720h SST

Zinc + Trivalent Cr

RoHS-compliant. Sacrificial protection. Clear or yellow iridescent.

Thickness Range
0.0002" – 0.0005"
Compatible Metals
Steel · Zinc Die-Cast
Cu-Ac
— SST

Acid Copper

Leveling undercoat for decorative systems. Fills micro-pits.

Thickness Range
0.0003" – 0.001"
Compatible Metals
Steel · ABS · Zinc Die-Cast
Ni-S
480h SST

Bright Nickel

Mirror-bright decorative. Underlayer for chrome decorative systems.

Thickness Range
0.0003" – 0.001"
Compatible Metals
Steel · Brass · Zinc Die-Cast · ABS
Sn-E
240h SST

Matte Tin

Solderable. Whisker-mitigated formulation. RoHS compliant.

Thickness Range
0.0001" – 0.0005"
Compatible Metals
Copper · Brass · Steel
Zn-Ni
1,000h SST

Zinc-Nickel Alloy

12–15% Ni content. Automotive OEM preferred for underbody parts.

Thickness Range
0.0003" – 0.0008"
Hardness
450 HV
Compatible Metals
Steel
▸Full finish specifications available in our technical data package. Includes bath chemistry, current density ranges, and process control limits.Request data package →
§ 04 — Third-Party Test Results

Our claims are on file, not on slide decks.

Salt spray data from independent laboratories. Part numbers are real production runs, not lab samples. Every result is available for customer review under NDA.

Part NumberSubstrateFinishSalt Spray HoursResult
APL-4472-B
ASTM B117
ASTM A109 Steel
Zinc-Nickel (Zn-Ni)
720h spec
Spec
1,040h
Appliance bracket. 10,000 pc run. 144% of spec.
PASS+
ATR-2291-D
ASTM B117
Zamak #3 Die-Cast
Cu/Ni/Cr Decorative
240h spec
Spec
312h
Automotive trim. Corrosion at scribe only after 312h.
PASS+
HWD-8803-A
ASTM B117
SAE 1018 Steel
Hard Chrome (Cr-H)
1000h spec
Spec
1,200h
Hardware connector. Wear tested: 0.0001" loss at 50k cycles.
PASS+
ELC-5517-C
IEC 60068-2-11
C26000 Brass
Matte Tin (Sn-E)
200h spec
Spec
248h
Electrical connector. Solderability per J-STD-002: Class 1.
PASS
APL-6614-F
ASTM B117
6061-T6 Aluminum
Electroless Nickel
500h spec
Spec
680h
Compressor housing. Uniform deposit on internal bores confirmed.
PASS+
ISO 9001:2015
Plating & Surface Treatment
DNV GL2024
MIL-QQ-N-290
Electroless Nickel
Defense Contract Audit Agency2023
ASTM B633
Zinc Electrodeposits
NADCAP2024
AMS 2404
Electroless Nickel
NADCAP2024
Full Salt Spray Data Package
Complete test reports for all 14 finish types · Independent lab certificates · Statistical process data
Download Data Sheets
§ 05 — Specification Review

Send us your drawing. We'll send back a spec.

Our process engineers review every inquiry personally. Turnaround is 48 hours for standard finishes, 5 days for custom process development. No obligation, no sales pressure.

Request a Plating Spec Review

48h response · No commitment required

All drawings held in strict confidence · NDA available on request

Download Salt Spray Data Sheets

14 finish types · ASTM B117 results

Why Engineers Choose Plate
◈
48hSpec turnaround for standard finishes
◈
100%XRF thickness verification per batch
◈
0Hexavalent chromium — fully RoHS compliant
◈
NDAAvailable for all drawings on request
Direct Line
Technical Sales Engineering
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