Precision Metal Plating & Finishing Services

Fotofab products are made in the USA and distributed worldwide.

Industrial plating is the process of depositing a thin coating layer onto a metal substrate’s surface. The two major plating processes are electrolytic and electroless.

Electrolytic plating uses electricity to coat the base metal with a plating material.

Electroless plating, on the other hand, uses a chemical reaction to deposit the plating material onto a metal substrate’s surface.

Plating metal parts can improve performance in a variety of ways including:

Greater corrosion resistance
Increased surface thickness
Improved strength and durability
Enhanced appearance
Increased solderability
Upgraded electrical conductivity
Bolstered electrical resistance
Superior chemical resistance
Improved adhesion
Greater wear resistance

With decades of experience, Fotofab can help identify the best plating process to achieve your specified goal. We work with you to develop a customized plan that minimizes operating costs and surpasses production timelines.

Our plating capabilities include standard types like Tin, Tin-Lead, Copper, and Nickel or precious metals like Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium.

Full and selective plating available!

Standard Metal Plating

Bright Tin (Mil-T-10727, Type I)
Dull Electro Tin
60/40 Tin/Lead
63/37 (Eutectic) Tin/Lead
90/10 Tin/Lead
Copper
Electroless Nickel (Mil-C26074)
Electrolytic Nickel (Mil-QQN-290)

Precious (noble) Metal Plating

Hard Gold (Mil-G45204 Types I & II, Grades B & C)
Soft Gold (Mil-G45204 Type III, Grade A)
Matte finish Silver (Type I)
Bright finish Silver (Type III)
Platinum
Palladium

*Note: Plating services only available on parts etched by Fotofab.

Tin Plating

Used for excellent solderability and corrosion resistance.

Nickel Plating

Generally used to improve corrosion and wear resistance of the underlying base metal. Nickel plating is magnetic and can have an appearance similar to Stainless Steel in color or an almost white, dull-grey color. Specify thicknesses ranging from 100u” up to 600u”.

Electroless Nickel (Mil-C-26074) - good on flat or gently formed parts
Electroplated Nickel (QQ-N-290)

*Both types of nickel plating are not recommended on parts with sharp, formed features as the brittle plating will crack when the part is formed.

Gold Plating

Generally used in parts where electrical conductivity and high corrosion resistance are required. If all you need is a gold flash, only 3-5 millionths of an inch of Type I, grade B is needed. Specify thickness from 10u” up to 100u”.

Mil-G-45204
- Hard Gold (Types I & II, grades B & C)
- Soft Gold (Type III, grade A) - best used for wire bonding

Silver Plating

Has good corrosion resistance, depending on the base metal. Sometimes used where high electrical conductivity and excellent solderability (but decreases with age) are required. Specify thicknesses from 100u” up to 1000u”.