Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Bright Aluminum or Silver plating

I would like any information on Aluminum plating, Silver plating. I would like to plate metals and possibly plastics without the hazards of chrome plating. Can I simply electroplate with Aluminum anodes?. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mark Robidoux
- Malvern, Pennsylvania
1999

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Nice sentiment, Mark. But practical silver plating involves cyanide, and aluminum electroplating is a near impossibility, with only one shop in America that does it. Then again, proper plating on plastics usually involves a chromic acid etch. Don't even think about buying any chemicals -- and becoming responsible for them forever, no matter how much you pay for disposal -- until you have either taken a plating course or hired a consultant.

There are substitutes and alternatives to many things, but almost nothing has the shine of nickel-chrome plating, let alone the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1999

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You can try vacuum ion plating. Both aluminum and silver are deposited on a wide variety of substrates this way -- including television screens. The process is entirely safe, no chemicals used at all.

Jim Treglio - scwineryreview.com
PVD Consultant & Wine Lover - San Diego,
California
1999

Aluminum and silver are often deposited by thermal evaporation in a vacuum chamber. This process is fast, simple, and inexpensive. If adhesion is a problem, you might try sputtering, since many systems can sputter etch the substrate; this cleans and activates the surface.

Joe Ketterl
sound systems - Issaquah, Washington
1999

I too am interested in the silver plating of different surfaces. My interest is not to silver plate things but to investigate the procedure for a school CAT (assignment) your help would be greatly appreciated. If you don't have the information I need can you please refer me to someone who can help me out. Marijana

Marijana Panic
- Melbourne VIC, Australia
1999

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You almost can't go wrong with any of the books on our "must-have" booklist, but the Garden State Branch A.E.S.F. "Basic Practical Electroplating" listed there is especially good.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1999

Many kinds of metals as well as some plastics can be coated with IVD Aluminum with no problems.

Jerry Wahlin
plating shop - Compton, California
1999