- All
- Product Management
- News and Information
- Introduction content
- Enterprise outlets
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Corporate Video
- Company Portfolio
08
2019
-
03
The difference between domestic metal plating and plastic plating
Author:
I. Differences in the Plating Processes for Hardware vs. Plastics The plating process for plastics is as follows: degreasing—hydrophilization—roughening—neutralization—pre-soaking—activation—de-gelling—chemical nickel—copper strike—acid copper—nickel—chrome. The plating process for hardware is as follows: cleaning—copper sulfate plating—semi-bright nickel plating—bright nickel plating—chrome plating—drying. II. Differences in Characteristics Between Hardware and Plastic Plating A key characteristic of plastic plating is that plastics themselves are non-conductive, so they must first undergo a conductive treatment—specifically, activation and chemical plating—to ensure a robust metallic film adheres firmly to the surface. After that, the subsequent steps are essentially the same as those used in hardware plating.
1. The Differences Between the Electroplating Processes for Hardware and Plastics
The process for plastic electroplating and plastic plating is as follows: degreasing—hydrophilization—roughening—neutralization—pre-impregnation—activation—degluing—chemical nickel—copper strike—acid copper—nickel—chrome.
The process for metal plating is as follows: cleaning — copper sulfate plating — semi-gloss nickel plating — bright nickel plating — chrome plating — drying.
II. Differences in Characteristics Between Metal and Plastic Electroplating
The characteristic of plastic electroplating is that the plastic itself is non-conductive, so it first requires a conductive treatment—namely, activation and chemical plating—to ensure that a metal film adheres firmly to the surface. After that, the process is no different from conventional metal electroplating.
III. Differences Between Plating Materials for Hardware and Plastics
The substrate for metal plating is metallic, such as iron, zinc alloys, and copper alloys. In contrast, the substrate for plastic plating is plastic. Due to the differences in substrates, the preliminary processing steps required are entirely distinct; however, the subsequent electroplating processes are generally the same for both. This is the key distinction observed when comparing these two materials.
IV. The Price Difference Between Metal and Plastic Electroplating
As for the pricing of the two options: it depends on the material used for the plating, as well as the required plating thickness and testing standards. Many factors can influence the cost of electroplating—for example, electroplating chrome onto a small plastic part is relatively inexpensive, whereas electroplating gold onto a larger metal component is considerably more costly. Moreover, the thickness of the plating layer directly affects the price. Therefore, to properly assess the situation, one must analyze the specifics of each case; hence, the two cannot be compared directly.
However, if the coating is the same, plastic electroplating is more expensive, because the plastic electroplating process involves several additional steps and is also more difficult to achieve, making it inherently more costly.
For more details, please stay tuned. Qiaofu Hardware Official website or scan the QR code
Friendship Links: Dongguan Qiaofu Hardware Jewelry Co., Ltd. [ [Official Website] _ Mechanical Hardware Association Company's main products:
Antenna shrapnel 、 USS RF 、 MINI RF 、 FPC 、 BTB 、 Type C 、 Board Material 、 SIM Card Series of products 。
Related News
A Complete 2026 Guide to RF Cable Terminations: Types, Selection, Tips
Drawing from over 20 years of manufacturing experience at Qiaofu Metal, this guide explains all key aspects of RF cable terminations. It helps engineers, designers, and procurement professionals select and install the right terminations to ensure stable, reliable RF signal performance.
RF Cable Terminations: Complete 2026 Guide for Selection & Installation
This 2026 complete guide to RF cable terminations is created by Qiaofu Metal’s engineering team, drawing on over a decade of hands-on manufacturing and field testing experience. It covers core functions, common types, step-by-step installation, selection criteria, and answers to the most common questions. It helps engineers, procurement teams, and technicians select the right termination for any application.
Ultimate 2026 Guide to RF Cable Terminations: Types, Steps & Best Practices
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about RF cable terminations in 2026, from core definitions to professional installation and selection. We draw on Qiaofu Metal’s decades of manufacturing experience and thousands of field test cases to answer common questions, compare popular termination types, and share actionable best practices. Whether you work in telecommunications, aerospace, or industrial IoT, this guide helps you avoid costly mistakes.
RF Cable Terminations: Complete 2026 Guide to Types, Installation & Best Practices
Drawing on Qiaofu Metal’s 12+ years of manufacturing experience in precision RF components, this 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about RF cable terminations. It includes step-by-step installation, type comparisons, troubleshooting, and expert selection tips to help you avoid costly performance issues.
Ultimate Guide to RF Cable Terminations 2026: Types, Steps & Common Mistakes
This complete guide to RF cable terminations is built on 15+ years of manufacturing and testing experience from Qiaofu Metal. We cover core definitions, common types, step-by-step installation, performance metrics, and common mistakes to help you select the right terminations for high-frequency applications. You will also get expert insights on quality standards from 2026 industry data.
RF Cable Terminations: Complete 2026 Guide for Selection & Installation
This 2026 complete guide to RF cable terminations draws on Qiaofu Metal’s hands-on experience manufacturing precision components for global clients in telecommunications, aerospace, and industrial sectors. We cover core definitions, common types, installation steps, selection criteria, and answer top frequently asked questions to help you choose reliable terminations for your project.
What Is Antenna Shrapnel? 2026 Complete Guide from Qiaofu Metal
This 2026 authoritative guide from Qiaofu Metal draws on our years of practical production experience to explain all core aspects of antenna shrapnel, from basic function, material selection to manufacturing best practices. We provide actionable tips and comparison data for electronics designers and procurement teams, and answer the most frequently asked questions about this critical electronic component.
Ultimate Guide to Antenna Shrapnel: Types, Uses & Custom Manufacturing 2026
This complete guide draws on Qiaofu Metal’s 18+ years of precision metal stamping experience to break down all key knowledge of antenna shrapnel. It covers definition, material selection, application, quality testing and common questions, helping engineers and procurement teams make informed decisions for 2026 projects.
Dongguan Qiaofu Metal Accessory Co., Ltd
Deputy Managing Director:
Phone: 0086-769-81262037
Email: sales01@qiaofuwujin.com
Room 101, Building 1, No. 8, Lane 2, Huanbao Middle Road, Shatian Town, Dongguan City
Copyright © Dongguan Qiaofu Metal Accessory Co., Ltd. Powered by: CEglobal SEO Privacy Policy
Message Online：
Tel：
Email：
在线客服添加返回顶部
右侧在线客服样式 1,2,3 1
图片alt标题设置： Dongguan Qiaofu Metal Accessory Co., Ltd
表单验证提示文本： The content cannot be empty!
循环体没有内容时： Sorry, the information is being updated.
CSS / JS 文件放置地