Plastic Chrome Plating
Chrome Plating Plastic Process
Cheeyuen-A Leading Manufacturer of Plastic Chroming Around You!
As a one-stop solution provider, CheeYuen boasts a team of technical experts and state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver high-quality, durable chrome plating finishes on plastic components of various sizes and shapes.
Additionally, we provide bespoke services tailored to our customers’ requirements, regardless of the complexity or dimensions of the parts.
With over 30 years of plastic chroming experience, our electroplating application and process have been refined to satisfy the highest standards, which extend our services to more than 80 different renowned customers acorss the global.
Today,we continue to supply plastic electroplating decorative components to well-known brands, including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Volvo, Volkswagen, Tata, Mahindra, Toyota, Tesla, Delonghi, Grohe, and American Standard,etc.
Plastic Plating Line Capability
Plating line info：
-Two modern plating lines-automatic plating line and circular plating line.
-The solution tank size for automatic plating line is 300*120*150cm, which is not only able to accommodate small parts, but some big parts like grilles, trims and so on.
-The solution tank size for automatic plating line is 75*90*150cm, which is capable of meeting various small or medium parts like logo, knob and lever,etc.
- With 1,500,000 Square meters of plating capacity per year.
Our plating line is equipped with the world-class control system and brand filters, including the well-known German control system,AUCOS, which features available fixed pace and mixing process,Dutch MeFiag filters and Italian CRS rectifiers.
The electroplating chemicals CheeYuen utilizes are supplied by famous companies such as MacDermid-Enthone,Atotech and JCU, and are widely applied to automotive/home appliance/bathroom parts like emblem, handle,trims,lamp shell, knob,button and something like this.
Chrome Plating on Plastic Parts Services
CheeYuen has multiple chrome lines all under one roof, providing flexible options no matter what part size is needed. With endless color options, custom applications, textures and sustainable process developments, we are continuing to expand our capability and provide our customers with the ultimate flexibility for their products.
Our electroplating application and process has been refined for over 50 years. We are not only emphasize on proving the best quality product to our customer, but we also try our best to protect the environment to achieve sustainability in our business.
For this service, we also reponsible for the environment issue and complies with ROHS requirement by using chemical substances that are environmental freindly, which are trivalent chromium plating (Trivalent Chromium) or (Cr3+) in our process. Our team is committed to giving our customers with the highest level of professional support and achieving to reduce the damaging effects on the environment.
Bright Chrome
Chrome Plating Process on Abs Plastics
ABS Electroplating Loop Bezel Knob
ABS Plated Handle Trim for Washing Machine
Knurled Ring with Brigt Chrome
PC/ABS Bright Chrome Plated Ford Door Right&Left Lock Bezel Ring Part
PC/ABS Bright Chrome Plated Whirlpool Oven Marked Knob Assembly Part
Satin Chrome
ABS PC Chrome Plated Car Interior Door Handle With 3Q7 Matt Color For Scorpio N Model
Chrome Plating on Plastic Parts- ABS Plating Satin Chrome
Satin Chromed Dashboard
PC/ABS Satin Chrome Plated BMW X3 Operating Element Rocker CAP Position
Bright Nickel
ABS Plating Bezel Knob
Tailor-Made Stainless ABS/PC
Electroplatig Oven Bezel Cover
Trivalent Chrome
Dark Chroming Handle
Electroplating Door Trim with Trivalent Chrome
Auto Door Knob
Chrome Plating Plastic Car Parts
With over 54 years of experience in the plastic chrome plating industry
We have an automatic chrome plating process
We have a complete production process
Product quality complies with international standards
People Also Asked:
Plating on plastic process in six major steps
Cleaning
Removes grease, fingerprints and impurities which would otherwise badly affect the adhesion.
Surface preparation
The surface conditioner, which is prepared from special acids, transforms the
structure of the plastic surface in such a way that a strong adhesion can be obtained
between it and the chemical nickel/copper. This conditioning is an important step in
the chemical treatment of plastic for electroplating. Defects related to poor adhesion are mostly caused by surface conditioning.
Surface activation
The surface activator contains palladium, which attaches itself to the surface of
the plastic. The component is then immersed in an accelerator to remove a
protective film from the surface of the palladium.
Electroless nickel deposition
The activated component is then immersed in an electroless nickel solution, which
deposits a thin layer of metal over the entire plastic substrate. This metal
layer then becomes the conductor for subsequent electroplating.
Electrolytic copper plating
Electrolytic plating, nickel and chrome
Demands on moulding for plating on plastic
Proper drying of resin
ABS must be pre-dried for 2–3 hrs at 80–85 °C prior to moulding
Proper fill speeds
Small components up to 90 g: 5–7 secs
Large components over 90 g: up to 25 secs
Proper melt temperature: 245–270 °C
Too-cold melt temperature causes internal stress, leading to uneven etch and thermal cycling test failure
Too-hot melt temperature may cause the material to degrade and give poor adhesion
Proper mould temperature: 65–80 °C
Too-cold mould will cause the plastic to flake. Material which hits the mould wall hardens and the hot material under it flows, creating a surface skin effect that may cause delamination
Proper cooling time: up to 30 secs
Longer cooling times increase risk of internal stresses
Highly polished mould
Poor mould surfaces can cause defects in the moulded part
Demands on ABS/PC for plating on plastic parts are as follows
Material moisture content <0.02%
Design gates/in-moulds for tension free-mould flow
Plateable ABS/PC
Possibility to rack
What are the benefits of plating on plastic?
The increasing popularity of the use of plastics and plastic composites in a wide variety of manufacturing processes has also led to a greater demand for plating on plastic. Plating plastic with a metal surface enhances the appearance of the material and creates the impression of higher quality. As a result, it is often selected when a highly decorative look is desired.
Additionally, plating on plastic can be an effective means of protecting a substrate against the forces of corrosion and make it more resistant to damage from chemicals used in the manufacturing process. In some instances, plating on plastic can increase the strength and wear resistance of the substrate.
As we’ve seen in the automotive industry, an important benefit of plating on plastic is that it can significantly enhance the appearance of the substrate. Most industrial plastics tend to have a dull finish. While colorizing the plastic can make it more visually appealing, it still will not produce the bright, shiny appearance that many product owners desire. While plating with chrome has long been a popular technique in automotive applications, the potential health hazards posed by the hexavalent chromium plating process has led many metal finishing providers to employ safer alternatives, particularly nickel plating.
Alongside appearance, plating onto plastic offers several other benefits for the item’s physical characteristics:
Corrosion and chemical resistance: Plating on plastic can be an effective means of protecting a substrate against the forces of corrosion and make it more resistant to damage from chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
Increased conductivity: Electroplating can also give a non-conductive plastic surface the ability to conduct electricity, a property that is invaluable to the manufacturers of electronic parts and components used in automobiles, aircraft and a multitude of other products. A metal coating can also reflect potentially damaging light away from the surface of a plastic substrate and serve as a protective barrier against harmful gases and corrosion. Additionally, metallization can help to control the dissipation of energy.
Increased structural strength: Electroplating can improve a part’s overall structural strength for greater durability. This added strength is one of the top benefits of electroplating onto plastic. If strength is your goal, nickel plating can be a good choice since nickel can resist corrosion and improve the lifespan of products.
Stable and low contact resistance: In addition to corrosion resistance, plating can also reduce contact resistance, so you can increase the part’s resistance to wear, chemicals and corrosion.
RFI and EMI protection: Electronic devices release electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), which contribute to signal interruptions and equipment malfunctions. Plating adds a layer of protection to block these harmful EMI and RFI waves.
Plating onto plastic is a great way to add durability in a range of different environments. It offers protection for everyday wear from contact, as well as more robust defenses against chemicals and interference. Meanwhile, structural integrity is a significant advantage in many applications, and adding conductivity to plastic is a great way to increase the design flexibility of a part while maintaining the cost-effective nature of plastic construction.
Plating on plastic: Causes of common imperfections
There are a variety of conditions during the molding, handling, and plating of plastic components which could potentially lead to imperfections in the finished product. Understanding the causes of some of the common imperfections can aid in identifying root causes of these imperfections and effective implementing corrective actions throughout the supply chain.
Splay
Splay is a cluster of breaks, mars, or marks, visible on a plated part. Though it is only visible once plated, it is caused my molding issues; trapped moisture in the plastic can come to the surface during the plating process, causing splay.
Flash
Flash is a protrusion of plastic on a part edge. Flash on a molded component often goes unnoticed until after the component has been plated, because plating builds up on the protrusion. This plate buildup can make the edge of the part sharp, and can also interfere with fit and appearance. This imperfection is caused during molding by excess plastic or the component not breaking from the mold cleanly.
Blisters
Blisters, like the skin condition, are air pockets beneath the skin—in this context, between the plastic and the metal deposit. Like splay, blisters can be caused by moisture trapped within the molded component; however, blisters can also be caused during the plating process, between layers of metal deposit. To determine the cause of a blister, cut and peel the blister back. If it originates at the plastic, and the underside of the blister has plastic that has separated from the component, the blister resulted from trapped moisture in molding.
Scratches and Dents
Scratches and dents can be caused during molding or handling (of the raw or plated part). While the plater will generally perform an incoming audit on molded components for plating, some scratches or dents in the plastic may not be immediately obvious, or raw parts may be scratched during handling. Scratches and dents can also occur during handling post-plate; it may be possible tell by the depth of the scratch or dent and plating deposit on the area whether the imperfection is superficial or in the base material.
Dry Down
Dry down is marred plating and it occurs during the plating process when the part becomes too dry between metal deposits. This can be avoided by careful process control of the plating operation.
Warp
Warp is the dimensional distortion of a component and can occur at a few stages of the production process. Molding errors could cause warp, and warp could also be caused by exposure to extreme temperatures, racking the part incorrectly, or mishandling the part.
Skip plate
Skip plate is the absence of plating on a surface—the base material is exposed. It can be caused by contaminants on the surface of the part, which prevent the plating from being deposited on the surface of the part. Ensuring that raw parts are handled properly and kept free of surface contaminants can reduce the occurrence of skip plate.
What plastic is best for chrome plating?
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a thermoplastic polymer widely regarded as the first plastic material used for electroplating. The process was specifically developed for the automotive industry in the 1960s and is still practiced today.
Plastic chrome in colours?
Yes – you can get your plastic parts treated in chrome-like (metallic) colours. Our colour finishing incorporates electroplating, so it is more durable and robust than spray finishing alone. So if you’d prefer your plastic dashboard to be finished in a colour but still have the depth and lustre of a chrome finish – you can!
Methods for achieving a chrome, or “chrome-look” finish:
| Process | Description |
| Plastic Chroming Process/es for non metallic (and non ABS*) parts | Metallising process first. Then ‘Triple Chrome’ plated. Mirror chrome finish. |
Strong copper, nickel, chrome structureProcess for ABS* plasticsSpecial part preparation process, then ‘Triple Chrome’ plated.Mirror chrome finish.
Strong copper, nickel, chrome structure.Vacuum Coating (Vacuum Metallising)A “chrome-like” coating (not real chrome) via vacuum technology.
Bright, thin, silvery finish.
Thin wall coating – can be prone to damage. May be adequate for some purposes.Spray chromePainted (based on a hybrid of paint & chemical finishing).
Can be a near match to chrome but prone to variation due to colour mix and methods.
Durability is similar to 2-pack paint.
Chrome Plating Plastic Process
Chrome Plastic Plating Process
Step 1 – Etching. We immerse the part into a tank that contains a mixture of concentrated sulfuric and chromic acids.
Step 2 – Neutralization.
Step 3 – Catalyzing and Accelerating.
Step 4 – Electro-less Plating.
Step 5 – Electro Plating.
Step 6 – Quality Inspection.
Plastic Chrome Restoration
Real chrome, you most definitely can polish and wet sand to restore the finish. Fake chrome (plastic film or chrome plated) can be polished, but in the lightest of fashion.
Can Plastic Be Chrome Plated?
Like metal, plastic can also be chrome plated. For this method, you’ll have to send off the plastic parts you want to add chrome to for plating. The plating company will coat your part in layers of nickel and copper before it then applies the chrome.
Typical Process Sequence for Plating on Abs Plastics.
The process of deposition of thin metal foils on ABS substrates involves many steps such as surface activation, etching, catalyzing, electroless deposition, electro plating and surface cleaning…
