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How materials can be selectively plated with cadmium

I work for a company that is having difficulty in cad plating bushings that are plated only on the outside diameter and inside flange face. We machinists do not want to cut the inside diameter or outside flange face with the cad on it.

We have tried masking the surfaces with tape but this is not always successful (tape falls off in hot bath).

Are there other ways that a bushing can be selectively plated?

Thanks,

Tom

Tom Tomasko
Machinist - Richmond
2007

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2007

Tom

There are many ways of masking depending on the shape to be masked, the number to be processed.

Tape should be no problem if you use the right type. Shaped cut outs are supplied. Stop off lacquers are readily available - but not any old paint.

The inside of bushes is usually masked with a stopper. Again there are specialist suppliers but a rubber bung works well.

Your platers should know this.

Finally, turning and milling cadmium are low risk compared with grinding or welding. How much steel swarf would you expect to breath in?

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England

There's selective cad plating. Also known as brush plating. Ideal for low to mid volumes, though in some cases more expensive than tank plating. The parts are plated one by one on a rotating device by a hand held or fixtured contact anode that's always kept moist with the cad solution. Little or no masking may be needed. There should be a certified brush plater around in your area.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2007

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