Plating Process
ANODIZING:
Sun-Glo has long been associated with excellence in plating, but many don't realize that we have one of the largest and most comprehensive anodizing facilities in the state of Florida. Specializing in sulfuric anodizing ( Type II ), we offer black and clear.
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COPPER & TIN:
One of the fastest growing areas at Sun-Glo is our Copper and Bright Acid Tin department. Processing more than a million pounds of barrel work each year is a formidable task for even the largest plating companies. Added to the challenge is that much of the product is used in highly technical and sophisticated electronics or computer equipment that demands maintaining narrow tolerances. We are required to include a composite deviation report of our x-ray analysis for thickness. Most companies wouldn't even bid for this business and even less have the required testing equipment to perform this analysis. We are proud of our capabilities and plan to continue expanding this process.
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CADMIUM:
Because of increasing environmental concerns, cadmium is slowly being phased out. Most specifications are now being changed to zinc, which is often an acceptable substitute. Sun-Glo will continue to offer Cadmium Plating (Revision E ) as long as regulations permit.
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GOLD:
Industrial precious metals plating is something many plating shops refuse to do. Whether it is due to the cost of setting up the lines, inventory considerations, or the special requirements necessary to meet customer expectations, it is unclear why companies shy away from plating precious metals. You can rest assured that Sun-Glo can handle your needs. When it comes to Gold Plating, our Gold Department can handle parts 1 foot long, 8 inches wide and 6 inches deep. All plating materials are 99.0% pure or better.
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NICKEL:
Sun-Glo offers not one, but three types of nickel plating. Bright Nickel, Sulfamate Nickel and Electroless Nickel. Each plating bath has different characteristics and will produce dramatically different results. Bright Nickel is known as the appearance or cosmetic nickel plating. With its brilliant luster and high reflectivity, it can be used as a stand-alone coating or as an undercoating to brighten silver or gold parts. Sulfamate, or dull nickel as it is sometimes called, has excellent ductility and is often plated on parts that will be subject to bending or twisting. Electroless Nickel ( EN ), with high-wear resistance and extreme hardness if baked, is an excellent substitute for chrome… which is rumored to be on the Environmental Protection Agencies " endangered species " list. Also, because there is no electricity applied during the plating process, there are no high current build-up areas and the plating deposits evenly on all surfaces. This feature alone has made EN a popular choice for mold makers and machinists that need an even build-up of a highly durable material with good corrosion resistance. It's also ideal for stamped or sheet metal parts that are difficult to plate because of shadowing.
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ZINC:
Without question, the production workhorse of any full-service plating job shop is the Zinc Department. Because of its low-cost, excellent corrosion resistance and forgiving plating characteristics, nearly every industrial plating facility has a zinc department. Few though, have the capabilities of Sun-Glo. Our zinc process area includes chloride baths with 8-foot long tanks. In addition to our automated rack and barrel lines, we also maintain manual lines that allow us to handle any kind of job. We can finish your parts with yellow, clear, olive drab or black chromate. If you need something unusual… like red or green chromate or a lacquer post chromate dip…, don't be afraid to ask. Special orders don't upset us.
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CONVERSIONS:
While technically not a plating process, conversion coatings are generally performed at plating shops because of the processing and hazardous waste associated with these applications. Many of the processes listed below are called by a variety of names; all conform to accepted ASTM or Mil Spec standards. The confusing names are quite often nothing more than marketing ploys by chemical manufacturers or plating shops attempting to create an identity. Chromate Conversion: ( a.k.a. Alodine, Chem Film, Iridite ) a conversion process applied to aluminum for corrosion protection or as a paint base. Sun-Glo processing includes either clear or yellow as called for by the spec. Black Oxide: ( Parkerizing ) the surface metal undergoes a conversion creating a cosmetic black appearance offering limited or no rust protection. Sun-Glo can process steel and stainless steel parts, offering rack and barrel capabilities. Copper Black: a process similar to black oxide that is used on copper or copper plated parts to convert the surface to a cosmetic black finish while offering some corrosion resistance.
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PASSIVATION:
While stainless steel is generally considered corrosion resistant, iron deposits can be brought to the surface during machining or stamping… creating a situation for rust to form. Passivation cleans the surface of the metal and helps the formation of an oxide barrier and an iron-free surface. Because of the wide variety of stainless alloys; each requiring different handling, there are a number of passivation treatments. Sun-Glo is set up to perform the two most common processes and can arrange for others when necessary.
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