Automotive Industry
The common problem of automotive industry is corrosion. Manufacturers are always looking for ways to protect their components from rusting as it can spread quickly and cause damage to the system. Corrosion not only occurs on the outer vehicle’s finish but also in the internal systems. However, it is very difficult to detect them until it causes a serious external damage.
WHERE IS IT USED?
Did you know that more than 4000 parts of automobile is electroplated? 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 automotive sector:
✓ Brake Calipers
✓ Fluid delivery tubes
✓ Antivibration Components
✓ Front grills
✓ Emblems
✓ Shock Rods
✓ Piston Rings
✓ Car door handles
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 automotive sector to plate different components.
Nickel Chromium Plating
This process is primarily used for aesthetic purposes.However, it also resistant to corrosion, wear and tear. Ni-Cr plating is used for plating wheels, bumpers and grills.
Gold Plating
Gold plating provides corrosion resistance and prevents the substrate from tarnishing. It also provides low contact resistance that is optimum for manufacturing of electrical connectors. The gold plated components lasts longer.
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. It is mainly used for it’s aesthetic appeal so it used to plate under-the-hood components, power steering systems, chassis hardware, brake systems and many others.