Description:
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE NO LONGER OFFER ABS PLATING SERVICES.
THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION OR WE CAN ASSIST WITH GENERAL ADVICE IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT US.
Decorative plating on plastic is achieved by a metallising process specifically engineered to enable non–conductive plastic articles to be electroplated. Our process has been developed to plate ABS plating grade plastic and some ABS blends. Plating of ABS plastics component is quite common in the manufacture of modern goods and fittings. Other types of plastics (and even other non metals) can also be plated in a customised approach we offer our custom and restoration markets. See the
restoration related pages for more information about plating other types of plastics.
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Why ABS Plastic?
ABS is a specially designed plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) with embedded properties that are suited to the metallising process enabling continuous production of high volumes of plated plastic components.
Benefits:
Moulded ABS plastic components are substantially cheaper to manufacture than metal parts. They offer (usually) good strength properties. Weight reduction (for vehicle parts in particlar) is seen as a major benefit of using ABS chrome plated parts. After plating there is no apparent difference visually between metal and plastic parts.
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Colour & Aesthetics:
Almost all of our decorative finishes can be applied to ABS plastic with the current exception of E–coat (due to heat curing required).
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Applications:
Automotive decals and trim, tapware, furniture trim, bathroom accessories, hardware and architectural accessories, some electrical fittings and many other items.
Design Cautions:
Electroplating onto ABS plastics is an electrolytic process aided by additional metallising properties in the pre-treatment of the material. In the plating process it is necessary to use jigging, racking or wiring to provide for electrical current conductivity. Some shapes and designs lend themselves more readily to successful plating than others or may need to be adapted.
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Unlike metal substrates, distortion of plastic parts can occur in some heated solutions therefore part design as well as rack design can be critical. Stresses and other moulding related faults can also affect plating results.
Please consult your plating adviser (or A Class) prior to finalising design if you intend to incorporate this finishing process in your product manufacture.
