Processes

Anodizing

Anodize is a process done on aluminum. When aluminum is anodized naturally occurring oxidation is brought to the surface by submerging the part in an acid bath and applying a DC electrical charge to it. A DC positive charge is then applied to an aluminum anode also submerged in the same Acid bath. The pull from the positive charge then draws the molecules within the negatively charged part to the surface making the part much harder than normal aluminum. When this occurs the surface of the part becomes non-conductive and very porous. At this time the part can be dyed a variety of colors or left clear. The last step is to seal the parts to close the pores and avoid discoloration. We offer type II and III anodize with DI water seal, nickel acetate seal, and others

Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple, Yellow and Clear(Silver) are always available. Other colors available upon request.

Largest Tank Size is 36x36x48

• Mil-A-8625 Type II Class 2
• Mil-A-8625 Type II Class 1
• Mil-A-8625 Type III Class 1
• Mil-A-8625 Type III Class 2
• Mil-A-63576 Type I
• Mil-A-2482 Type I

Chem Film

Chemical Film Treatment is a process done on aluminum. It is a chemical film that is applied by process of immersion. This process allows for significant corrosion protection. Chem Film is beneficial because while providing excellent corrosion protection, the part still remains conductive. Chem Film also creates a bonding agent for paint to adhere to. Other terms are iridite, alodine, chemical conversion coating, TCP-HF, and chemical film treatment. At Makplate we do chem film as a pre-treatment for our precision masking department prior to anodizing or final electroplate for many industries.

• Mil-C-5541 Class 1A or 3
• Mil-DTL-5541 Type I or II

Passivate and Electropolish

Passivation is a non-electrolytic process typically using Nitric or Citric acid which removes free iron from the surface and forms an inert, protective oxide layer that in turn renders the stainless steel more rust-resistance due to lack of iron to react with atmosphere.

While stainless steels are naturally corrosion-resistant of which might suggest that passivating them would be unnecessary. Stainless steel is not entirely impervious to corrosion. It derives its corrosion resistant properties from the chromium content. Chromium, in the presence of air (oxygen), forms a thin film of chromium oxide which covers the surface of the stainless steel. Chromium oxide which is inert or passive by nature and chromium in the material gives stainless steel its corrosion resistant properties.

Electropolishing is an electrochemical process similar to, but the reverse of, electroplating. The electropolishing process smooths and streamlines the microscopic surface of a metal object such as 304, 316, and the 400 series stainless steel. As a result, the surface of the metal is microscopically featureless, with not even the smallest speck of a torn surface remaining.

In electropolishing, the metal is removed ion by ion from the surface of the metal object being polished. Electrochemistry and the fundamental principles of electrolysis (Faraday's Law) replace traditional mechanical finishing techniques, including grinding, milling, blasting and buffing as the final finish. In basic terms, the metal object to be electropolished is immersed in an electrolyte and subjected to a direct electrical current. The object is maintained anodic, with the cathodic connection being made to a nearby metal conductor. During electropolishing, the polarized surface film is subjected to the combined effects of gassing (oxygen), which occurs with electrochemical metal removal, saturation of the surface with dissolved metal and the agitation and temperature of the electrolyte.

• ASTM B912
• ASTM A967
• QQ-P-35
• ASTM A380
• AMS-2700

Nickel

Electroless Nickel plating is an auto-catalytic plating process that yields significant advantages over traditional electrolytic nickel. The lack of current density issues provide a deposit that is extremely uniform in coverage and thickness.
This inherent characteristic makes this process ideal for plating components that are complex in shape and require tight tolerances after plating. Electroless Nickel abbreviated as “EN” deposits provide excellent corrosion resistance, hardness and
an added wear resistance. Electroless Nickel can be applied to all common base materials and provides superior protection for light metals (Example: aluminum alloys).
Electroless nickel can also be rendered non-magnetic, making it the optimal choice for electromagnetic shielding. Electroless nickel can be applied over a variety of substrates including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and many proprietary alloys. Here are Makplate, we do mid phos and high phos electroless nickel finishing.We also offer bright Nickel Sulfamate plating as it’s own finish or as underplate for gold and silver.

• Mil-C-26074
• AMS-C-26074
• AMS-2404
• ASTM B733
• QQ-N-290
• Mil-P-27418
• AMS-2424
• AMS-2403

Gold

Makplate, Inc. can plate pure soft gold or hardened gold to many surfaces. Soft gold is highly suitable for brazing, wire bonding and soldering. Hard gold is best suited for electrical contacts or soldering.
Gold is malleable, ductile, highly conductive, corrosion resistant, and bio-compatible. It is heat reflective and radio opaque. Gold’s unique properties are useful in nearly every technological field including electronics, aerospace, medical and military.

• Mil-G-45204
• Mil-DTL-45204
• ASTM B488
• AMS-2422

Silver

Silver is characterized as a noble metal, meaning it holds up well against chemicals and acids, offering excellent protection against corrosion, as well as low-contact resistance. These properties are a primary reason why silver is so frequently used in a variety of plating applications. In fact, it can be said that no metal is used more often than silver for industrial plating. Silver is also a cost-effective alternative to more expensive plating options such as gold, platinum and palladium.
Additionally, many companies turn to silver plating because silver is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. This highly adaptable metal can be easily alloyed with other metals and metalized onto a wide assortment of materials. Silver's white metallic luster can provide an enhanced visual impact to any surface that is plated with this precious metal.

• QQ-S-365
• ASTM B700
• AMS-2410
• AMS-2412

Copper Plate

Copper's excellent thermal and conductive properties make it a particularly useful substance in numerous heating, industrial and electrical applications. Copper coatings are also commonly used in corrosion protection.
The many applications of copper plating include use as an undercoat in situations where enhanced adhesion for additional coatings of other materials is desirable, as it provides smooth and uniform coverage. Copper electroplating can be used as a treatment for the preparation of surfaces for soldering. It is also common for industries such as aerospace and electronics to apply copper plating on plastic applications.

• Mil-C-14550
• ASTM B734

Tin Plate

A white, nontoxic, solderable soft deposit, tin plating is useful for its conductivity and resistance to corrosion and tarnish. It is used primarily in the electronics, semiconductor and food packaging industries. There are two types of electroplated tin; bright tin and matte tin. Bright tin is coated in an electroplating solution that uses brighteners and has an excellent bright, smooth, cosmetic appearance although it is susceptible to stress issues because of the organics used in the brighteners. Matte tin which is dull white with small whiskers in appearance has less internal stress issues than that of bright tin because brighteners are not used.

• Mil-T-10727 Type I
• ASTM B545

Other Processes

• Bright dipping and chemical cleaning
• Bead Blasting and Sand Blasting
• Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief
• Post-Baking and Hot Plate Testing
• Solder testing
• Precision masking of parts prior to anodizing or electroplating
• X-RAY Florescence measurement
• Fischer Dual-Scope MPOR Anodize measurement
• Profilometer
• Adhesion Testing
• Sealing Efficiency Testing
• Eddy-Current Metering for Conductivity
• Water Immersion testing
• Copper Sulfate Testing
• Full Wet-lab for testing and maintenance of chemistries