Aerospace
Plating plays a very important role in aerospace industry. In the manufacturing process of aircrafts, quality is of utmost importance. Even the smallest defect could have a hazardous impact. For safety concerns, AS9100 has been imposed on all aircraft manufacturers and suppliers to use high quality materials based on ISO 9000 standards.
WHERE IS IT USED?
Plating has tremendous advantages including corrosion protection, electrical conductivity and oxidation resistance.It also increases the strength and durability of the components. It promotes greater resistance to heat and gives a good aesthetic appeal. Plating is majorly used in the following components in aerospace sector:
✓ Bearing Separators
✓ Turbine rotor clamps
✓ Converter housing
✓ Associated hardware
✓ Rear Carriers
and more…
Plating Process
Plating can be done in variety of ways depending on the type of application. Here are a few important process used by aerospace to plate different components.
Anodizing
Anodising is primarily used to increase the thickness of the oxide layer on the surface. This process is utilised to provide a protective coating on airframe, actuators, and engine parts to name a few. In aerospace industry, there are three types of anodising process:
✓ Aluminium Anodising
✓ Hard Coat Anodising
✓ Chromic Anodising
Electroless Nickel Plating
Electroless Nickel Plating is the chemical process of depositing a layer of nickel-phosphorus or nickel-boron alloy on a surface. In aerospace, this process is primarily used to provide more even and uniform coating on the surface. Various types of nickel alloys are used in this process based on the need:
✓ High Phosphorus for corrosion protection
✓ Medium Phosphorous for aesthetic appeal
✓ Low Phosphorus for hardness
Zinc Nickel Plating
Zinc Nickel Plating is the chemical process that is used to protect the substrate from corrosion. It is increasingly replacing cadmium plating and silver plating.