Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Polymer Masking Material

I am an Engineer who is looking to streamline a masking process. I would like to make a polymer preform to cover sensitive areas on our metal parts before plating. I am looking for a polymer masking material to cover a glass or ceramic hermetic seal before a plating process. The plating includes, gold, nickel... and anything in between. I have tried polystyrene with decent results(it bubbled, which caused problems) but not reliable enough to put into a production process. This polymer would hopefully be liquified in some kind of solvent then cure to a solid.

Thanks in advance

Mark Peasle
Engineer - Houghton, MI, USA
April 27, 2009

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April 30, 2009

I used to make some out of RTV material that came in about 1 pint cans with a hardener tube. I think that it was a Dow product.There was a choice of hardeners. For your use, you will probably need to use some form of stiffeners or a backing plate. I can not quite visualize the part, so can not go much further.
I also made large gaskets for difficult shapes out of layers of vinyl that I sealed together with just the right weight, temperature and time determined by good guesses and trial and error. These used SS plates to hold them in position and seal off bores very slightly proud of the lip.
Send a picture of your part and maybe someone can help.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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