Benefits and Difficulties of Plating onto Plastics

While many manufacturers plate onto plastic to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their products, the process can also provide additional benefits such as:

• Promoting electrical conductivity: Applying a metal coating onto plastic parts and components used in electronics manufacturing will enable the surface to conduct electricity.
• Increasing surface hardness: Some forms of plastic may be too soft to withstand the rigors of heavy-use applications. “Metallizing” the surface via electroplating can add an extra layer of protection that can help to resist exterior damage.
• Enhancing corrosion and wear resistance: Electroplating can make a plastic surface more resistant to damage from corrosive chemicals and other harsh materials used in various manufacturing processes.