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The Differences Between Barrel and Rack Plating

Choosing the right electroplating method is essential for achieving optimal results and minimizing the risk of damage to the finished product. Two of the most commonly applied processes for plating multiple workpieces are barrel and rack plating. Each offers several advantages, as well as points the plater and customer must consider when determining the most appropriate method for their project.

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The Importance of Being a Socially Responsible Metal Finishing Company

We hear a lot about the need for companies in all industries to become more socially responsible — but what does this really mean? A simple definition of social responsibility is striving to find a balance between increasing revenues and maximizing profits, and engaging in activities that benefit the local community and society in general.

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How to Work With Your Metal Finishing Services Provider

Electroplating and electroless plating are crucial processes for ensuring a successful outcome in many manufacturing and fabricating operations. Plating provides the essential “finishing touch” that protects the workpiece against destructive forces such as corrosion, extreme temperatures and wear, while also enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Working closely with your plating services provider is key to attaining […]

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What Is Eddy Current Testing?

Eddy current testing is a method of non-destructive testing, or NDT, that utilizes the process of electromagnetic induction for the evaluation and measurement of conductive materials without causing damage. Eddy current testing, or ECT, is used primarily in the detection of surface and sub-surface flaws such as cracks in conductive materials like metal, and it […]

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Benefits of Gold-Plated Electrical Contacts

Electrical contacts are those crucial electrical circuit components for controlling the flow of electricity. Typically found in circuit breakers, switches and relays, contacts are made of electrically conductive metal. When two contacts touch, the circuit closes. Conversely, when the contacts are separated by an insulating gap, it interrupts — or opens — the circuit. In […]

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What Is Selective Plating? The Advantages of Brush Plating

UPDATE: (8/24/2021) SPC no longer offers brush plating services. This blog is for educational purposes only. Please refer to our coatings, base materials, or plating methods pages to learn more about our services.   Metal plating has been used for hundreds of years to provide objects and mechanical components with additional and desired properties of a […]

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How to Avoid Tarnishing

While metal finishing processes such as electroplating and electroless plating provide numerous benefits, the presence of post-plate tarnishing can diminish the value of the plating process over time. Tarnish is essentially a thin layer of corrosion that frequently develops on the surface of a part in the form of a dull blackish or grayish film. […]

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Alternatives to Cadmium for Plating Connectors

Before the 1960s, cadmium, also referred to by its elemental abbreviation “Cd,” was the go-to material for numerous industries. The blossoming aerospace industry and rapidly expanding military industry both sought cadmium for use in several key mechanical applications, but things changed when expanding research discovered several drawbacks of the material, both to public health and […]

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How to Attain a Bright, Reflective Finish on Your Metal Parts

One of the biggest challenges that metal finishing companies face is meeting the requirements of manufacturers who demand a bright, reflective appearance for their parts and components. This is especially important in applications where a high level of aesthetic appeal is necessary to make the finished product more attractive to prospective buyers. Obviously, the choice […]

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Hydrogen Embrittlement & Electroplating

Hydrogen Embrittlement & Electroplating: What You Need to Know The electroplating process involves the use of an aqueous electrolyte solution (known as the plating “bath”) that consists of dissolved metal salts, ions and various chemicals. However, the primary bath component is something we all use every day: water. As most of us learned in elementary […]

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