The process of coating the surface of products with metal or special alloys (mostly shiny) in thin layers to enhance their beauty and strengthen them against corrosion, oxidation, or impact is referred to as plating.

-Plating History
The plating industry first emerged in the 1960s when the American automotive industry began using it to improve the quality of painted products. However, due to limited facilities at that time, the process was challenging and faced multiple obstacles, causing the industry to be forgotten for a while.

The increasing weight of cars at that time led to greater reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in numerous expenses and pollution. As a result, European car manufacturers started considering the production of lighter vehicles, which ultimately led to the use of plastic components.

Plastics were not only cost-effective but also helped reduce the weight of cars. However, the next fundamental challenge was the decrease in customer interest due to the unfavorable appearance of these plastic-based vehicles.
To address this problem, the first plating on plastics was introduced, making the color of plastic parts match that of the metal body.

However, this process is much more difficult than it appears.

The most popular metals for plating are nickel, chromium, palladium, gold, silver, copper, and tin. These metals are used for plating due to their specific properties.
Plating is widely used in various industries, primarily for the purpose of enhancing beauty and decorative features. It finds applications in industries such as automotive manufacturing, jewelry making, household appliance production, electronics, and more.
Plating can be categorized into several methods:
–Electroplating: In this method, the desired metal is immersed in an electrolyte solution, and a thin layer of it is formed on the product’s surface using an electric current.
–Electroless plating: In this method, a thin layer of the desired metal is formed on the product’s surface using chemical processes.
–Physical plating: In this method, a thin layer of the desired metal is formed on the product’s surface through physical processes such as metal evaporation and deposition.

–Vacuum plating, also known as vacuum metallizing, is a plating method where the thickness of the plated layer is extremely thin. However, the layer completely covers the surface of the product, and its color remains resistant to severe and constant impacts.

In vacuum plating, the process is carried out in a vacuum chamber where the desired metal or alloy is evaporated and then deposited onto the product’s surface. This method ensures a uniform and durable coating, providing excellent protection against impact and maintaining the color integrity over time.
Vacuum plating is commonly used in various industries, including automotive, electronics, aerospace, and decorative applications, where a thin yet robust layer is desired for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

–And the last method is laser plating

This method is predominantly used for plastic and polymer products and is considered a modern technique. It is employed to enhance the shine and beauty of the products.
Among other plating methods, laser plating is relatively more expensive.