What is Copper plating
Copper plating is a type of electro-chemical process, in which a layer of copper is applied on the metallic surface through the use of electric current.
We have a glydo type copper plating facility which can plate items up to 1.5 meters in length and 1 meter deep.
Copper Plating Main Uses
- Decorative: Copper plating can be used as a decorative finish because of its attractive reddish/brown appearance.
- Corrosion Resistance: Copper Plating can be used to increase the corrosion resistance on car, motorcycle and marine parts where it is used as a base coat. Copper Plating provides a smooth uniform finish under nickel plating and helps with the adhesion of other finishes. Where copper is used to achieve high corrosion protection i.e. Service Condition 4, Merridale apply a layer of Cyanide Copper plating followed by a layer of Acid Copper plating. The components are then polished to remove all imperfections before adding duplex nickel and chrome plating.
- Copper Strike: When corrosion protection isn’t a major requirement, sometimes a thin layer of Copper i.e. Copper Strike can be applied to a component prior to nickel and chrome plating.
Non-ferrous metals for example brass, bronze and nickel silver may be directly plated in acid copper for plating.
Copper Benefits
- Conductivity: Copper plating is a good electrical conductor. Copper is widely used in the electrical industry and the electronics industry because if offers excellent electrical conductivity to electrical components.
- Refurbishment: Copper Plating can be used to build up corroded parts, particularly useful when refurbishing old car parts.
- Flexible: Copper is a soft metal and therefore has the advantage of being used on parts that need slight flexibility.
- Antimicrobial properties: The properties of copper have natural ability to destroy/inactivate microbes and a wide range of microorganisms. Therefore Copper Plating is particularly useful in the healthcare industry.
More questions?
Merridale’s Team is always happy to help!
Please contact us on 0121 556 3636 or email us on merridale@hotmail.co.uk today for any additional enquiries!
