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Vacuum metallization of 24K gold?

Hello,

Does anyone have any information on vacuum metallizing 24K gold on a Zamak 4 zinc substrate? We are currently having our parts electroplated,but it very pricey. One of our customers has a proprietary process for metallization, but they seem to want to keep it secret. Go figure. I know they had to formulate a special basecoat for adhesion.

Any help would be appreciated.

Trent Kaufman
electroplater - Galva, Illinois
2004

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I'm guessing that means no....darn it.

Trent Kaufman
electroplater - Galva, Illinois
2004

As an alternative that may be lower in cost: Do a standard chrome plating on zinc and then apply a 24c gold look by PVD (actually TiN). If your customer requires gold in the finish, a layer of 100 nanometers thickness or so would be sufficient to provide the look of gold with actual gold content. The geometry of the part influences the thickness of the gold required.

Joe Kubinski
- Woonsocket, RI USA
2004