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Tin-Lead Plating vs. Hard Coat Anodize cost comparison

June 25, 2008

I want to use a Tin-Lead Plating finish on a large, 19"x18"x1", 6061-T6 Al item and was wondering if Tin-Lead Plating was competitive cost-wise with Hard Coat Anodizing. The only other option I have is a solder dip, which I am assuming is not used on large items like this. But it could be an option as well, if it is competitively priced, but I am looking for something that is very durable and very conductive.

Keith Messina
Mechanical Design Engineer - Tewksbury, Massachusetts

I'm a little confused, Keith, because hardcoat anodizing is exceptionally non conductive. Plating of aluminum will probably not be cost competitive with anodizing because the process involves several more steps. It's hard to appreciate what "very durable" and "very conductive" mean in the abstract, but chromate conversion coating is a relatively inexpensive and somewhat conductive finish.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 25, 2008

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