What Does
Mechanical Plating Mean?
Mechanical plating refers to an industrial process that involves the application of a coating to a substrate material by cold welding small metal particles to it. It is a form of metal galvanization used to prevent corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement.
Corrosionpedia Explains Mechanical Plating
Mechanical plating is a widely preferred form of plating compared to other methods because it can be used on much wider thickness ranges than electroplating. It is also a suitable form of plating that is modifiable for a range of solutions and/or top coats.
Mechanical plating consists of the following steps:
- Place components to be coated into a tumbling barrel containing glass beads, reagents or catalysts
- Activate and prepare the substrate surface as needed by housing it in the barrel for a corresponding amount of reaction time
- Add the coating to the barrel in metallic powder form
- Add lubricants as required
The mechanical plating process has many cost and quality advantages for an array of applications and part types.