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Q&As since 1989


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CAN ALUMINUM BE PLATED?

We are a manufacturer of electrical connectors and wondering if aluminum die castings can be plated and if so what type of plating?

Robert P. Ganger
customer - Centreville, MI, USA
May 26, 2009

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May 28, 2009

Yes, aluminum can be plated with any of the plate able materials. It requires a zincating step, but other than that it is the same/similar to plating steel.
That said, castings are difficult to get a perfect plate coating because of the porosity and a few other reasons, so do not expect jewelry quality coatings. Note that there can be problems with some alloys such as high silicon. It requires an extra step.
I hate castings and a lot of extruded material is not much better. Wrought is the best.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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Yes you can plate aluminium, but it is not particularly easy. The technology is available from commercial supply houses, so I would suggest you use their processes. All processes will involve using a zincate treatment in some form; this allows the aluminum to be electroplated without the oxide payer causing problems. You should also consider using a cyanide copper interlayer if you are plating castings, as this can be used to fill the micropores in the metal and then plate your final layers on top of this.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
May 30, 2009