Versatile Base for Enhanced Performance

Metal Finishing Group provides Copper Plating services, applying a highly conductive and ductile metallic coating to a wide range of substrates. Copper plating is a fundamental process in metal finishing, valued for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and its role as an effective undercoat for other plating processes.

Copper plating is chosen when components require superior electrical properties, improved corrosion resistance as an underlayer, or enhanced adhesion for subsequent finishes. It is also invaluable for specialized applications such as heat treatment stop-off or as a lubricant. This versatile finish provides a consistent, high-quality layer that is essential across numerous industries.

Our Copper Plating Capabilities: Precision and Flexibility

We offer precise Copper Plating services, ensuring a uniform and high-quality deposit for your components.

  • Undercoat Excellence: Copper serves as an ideal undercoat for subsequent plating layers like nickel, chrome, or silver, improving adhesion and corrosion protection.
  • High Conductivity: The deposited copper layer offers exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity.
  • Ductile and Malleable: The soft nature of copper allows for forming and bending of plated parts without cracking the coating.
  • Corrosion Barrier: Provides a robust barrier against corrosion, especially when used as an intermediate layer between the substrate and topcoat.
  • Heat Treat Stop-off: Copper can be effectively used as a stop-off during carburizing and nitriding heat treatments, preventing hardening in specific areas.
  • Lubricity: Offers inherent lubricity, reducing friction and wear on moving parts.
  • Rack and Barrel Plating: We accommodate both rack and barrel plating methods to suit various part sizes and production volumes.
  • Thickness Control: We achieve precise plating thicknesses to meet specific design and performance requirements.
  • In-house Quality Verification: We conduct adhesion and thickness testing to ensure coating integrity and compliance.

Properties of Copper Plating:

Copper plating imparts several key properties that enhance the performance and utility of components:

  • Exceptional Electrical Conductivity: Ideal for electronic components and applications requiring efficient current flow.
  • High Thermal Conductivity: Facilitates heat dissipation in heat-sensitive applications.
  • Excellent Adhesion: Provides a strong bond to various substrates, creating a reliable foundation for subsequent coatings.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Acts as an effective barrier layer to improve the overall corrosion protection of multi-layered finishes.
  • Formability: Its ductility allows plated parts to undergo bending or forming operations without coating failure.
  • Solderability: Offers excellent solderability, making it suitable for electrical connections.

Applicable Specifications We Adhere To:

Our Copper Plating processes consistently meet or exceed crucial industry standards, ensuring the quality and performance of your components. We regularly process to:

  • ASTM B734
  • MIL-C-14550 (though largely superseded, still referenced)
  • And various customer-specific requirements.

Typical Copper Plating Applications:

Copper plating is widely applied across numerous industries for its functional and protective benefits:

  • Electronics: Used for circuit board components, connectors, and bus bars due to its conductivity.
  • Automotive Industry: Applied to various components for corrosion protection and as an undercoat for other finishes.
  • Heat Treatment: Serves as a stop-off for selective hardening processes on steel parts.
  • Aerospace: Utilized for electrical components and as an underlayer for critical parts requiring multiple finishes.
  • Decorative Undercoat: Provides a smooth, uniform base for brighter finishes like nickel or chrome.
  • EMI/RFI Shielding: Applied to plastics and other non-conductive materials to provide electromagnetic interference shielding.
  • Fasteners: Used as an undercoat to improve corrosion resistance and adhesion of topcoats.

Why Choose Metal Finishing Group for Copper Plating?

Metal Finishing Group is a trusted partner for high-quality Copper Plating. Our commitment to precise application and rigorous quality control ensures a durable, highly conductive, and versatile finish for your components. Partner with us for reliable metal finishing solutions that meet your exact functional and aesthetic specifications.