Plating is a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. Plating has been done for hundreds of years; it is also critical for modern technology. There are several plating methods, and many variations. In one method, a solid surface is covered with a metal sheet, and then heat and pressure are applied to fuse them (a version of this is Sheffield plate). Other plating techniques include electroplating, vapor deposition under vacuum and sputter deposition. Recently, plating often refers to using liquids. Metallizing refers to coating metal on non-metallic objects.
Plating is used to decorate objects, for corrosion inhibition, to improve solderability, to harden, to improve wearability, to reduce friction, to improve paint adhesion, to alter conductivity, to improve IR reflectivity, for radiation shielding, and for other purposes. Source – Wikipedia
Plating specifications can be crucial to how the part is used, whether it’s for conductivity or for making sure a certain frequency is heard. Manufacturing in Toronto and Canada can be complicated and many Job Shops are not equipped to handle vertical integration of plating and other coatings. Crest Tech has done the leg work and made sure that all of our vendors are certified for compliance and repeatability. Primarily we work with silver, zinc, and tin plating, but would be able to provide specialized coats should the need arise.
