Based in Pawtucket, RI, Accent Plating Inc. is a family-owned provider of quality plating solutions since 1964. They specialize in gold, platinum, silver, rhodium, and nickel-free precious metal plating for jewelry clients. Services include barrel, basket, and rack plating for various part sizes.
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Gold Plating Companies
Last updated: January 2026
This directory lists 89 gold plating companies across the United States, from high-volume decorative operations serving consumer electronics to highly specialized functional platers meeting demanding aerospace and medical specifications.
Buyers engage these specialized providers to solve a range of critical engineering challenges, from ensuring robust electrical contact reliability in high-frequency circuits to providing corrosion protection in harsh environments. Common concerns include achieving precise gold thickness, minimizing porosity, and ensuring optimal adhesion to substrates, often requiring specialized underlayers like sulfamate nickel.
Supplier types in this sector vary significantly. You'll encounter general job shops handling diverse plating requirements, specialized functional platers focusing on precision engineering applications, and dedicated decorative platers primarily serving jewelry or luxury goods. Aerospace and medical sectors often require platers with specific certifications like NADCAP or AS9100 and extensive in-house testing capabilities.
To effectively engage a gold plating supplier, prepare detailed engineering drawings, specify the exact application (e.g., electrical contacts, decorative finish, wire bonding), desired gold type (hard or soft), thickness range, and any required underlayers or post-treatment. Suppliers expect clear communication on quantity, material type, and critical-to-function areas to provide accurate and competitive quotes.
A significant trend in gold plating is the increasing focus on environmental compliance and sustainability, driving innovation in less hazardous plating chemistries and advanced wastewater treatment. There's also a growing demand for hybrid plating solutions and highly selective plating techniques to minimize gold usage and reduce overall costs while maintaining performance.
Company Directory
89 companies nationwide
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Accurate Plating Co. offers surface finishing services, operating since 1950. They specialize in zinc coating and provide various other material platings, including gold, chrome, bright tin, copper, and nickel. This ISO9001:2015 certified company serves businesses with quality finishes.
Based in Oxnard, CA, Alliance Finishing & Manufacturing provides precision plating, metal finishes, and plating on plastics. With over 25 years of experience, they offer premium plating, polishing, and secondary services for various metals. Serving equipment manufacturers in North America and Europe, the company operates to Nadcap standards.
Based in St. Louis, MO, American Plating Company offers diverse metal finishing services, including gold, silver, copper, nickel, brass, and tin plating. They provide rack and barrel plating for industrial, commercial, and residential clients, specializing in medical device plating, hardware, and antique restoration. Polishing services are also available.
Based in Compton, CA, Bowman Plating Co. provides comprehensive plating services for the aerospace and related industries. Founded in 1945, their 70,000 square foot plant operates 24/5, leveraging experienced staff and technology for efficient product processing. They focus on delivering high-quality finishes and offer convenient pick-up and delivery.
Based in Santa Fe Springs, CA, Cal-Tron Plating Inc. specializes in precision metal finishing services for various industries. The company offers a comprehensive range of plating processes, including hard and soft gold plating, electroless nickel, silver, copper, and tin. They serve aerospace, medical, electronics, and defense sectors with high-quality plating solutions.
Based in San Antonio, TX, City Plating & Metal Finishing is an electroplating and metal finishing company. They provide gold plating services, alongside various other plating options such as nickel, chrome, copper, silver, and zinc. The company serves diverse industrial sectors including aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and electronics.
Based in Santa Ana, CA, Data Electronic Services specializes in precision PCB plating and surface preparation. With over 35 years of experience, the company offers diverse finishes including ENIG, ENEPIG, Hard Gold, Soft Gold, and Immersion Silver. They serve high-reliability applications across aerospace, medical, and telecom industries.
Based in Houston, TX, Diamond Metal Finishing specializes in comprehensive metal finishing services, prominently featuring electrolytic gold plating. They also offer electroless nickel, anodizing, passivation, and powder coating. Serving diverse industrial sectors such as oil & gas, aerospace, medical, and electronics, they provide essential surface treatments.
Based in Santa Clara, CA, EC Plating Inc. provides gold plating (99.0%, 99.7%, 99.9%) and comprehensive metal finishing services. With 40 years of experience, they offer anodize, electroless nickel, silver, and zinc plating. The company serves certified medical, government, aerospace, and telecommunication industries.
Electro Metal Finishing Corp. is a direct provider of industrial metal finishing and electroplating services. Based in Anaheim, CA, the company offers a range of surface treatment solutions, specializing in precious metal finishes. They serve commercial clients with precision gold plating for various industrial applications.
Based in Garden Grove, CA, Electron Plating III, Inc. specializes in government-contracted surface finishing. They provide anodizing, Teflon impregnation, diverse plating services including electroless nickel, cadmium, copper, tin, black oxide, chem film, magnesium, passivation, and painting for industrial applications.
Epner Technology, Inc., based in Brooklyn, NY, specializes in advanced electroplating services for high-tech industrial clients. Founded in 1910, they offer precious metals plating, including their proprietary Laser Gold process, recognized by NIST for its peerless IR reflectivity. Their expertise extends to critical components for demanding applications.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, General Brite Plating is a family-owned electroplating shop. They specialize in a range of metal finishing services, including gold, silver, nickel, copper, tin, and rhodium plating. Additional capabilities include passivation, chromating, anodizing, and electropolishing for industrial applications.
Global Plating Inc. provides high-quality metal finishing and plating services, including gold, silver, and nickel. Based in Fremont, CA, the company serves diverse industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, electronics, and automotive, adhering to ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D standards.
Gold Tech Industries, based in Tempe, AZ, specializes in industrial gold plating and various metal finishing services. They provide electroplating solutions, including gold, silver, tin, and electroless nickel, to critical industries like aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics. The company is known for meeting stringent industry specifications.
Based in Dayton, OH, Hohman Plating, LLC directly provides advanced plating services using their own facilities and equipment. They offer specialized surface finishing solutions for industrial and commercial applications. The company focuses on quality processes to meet diverse client requirements.
Based in Houston, TX, High Tech Finishing specializes in precision metal finishing services. They provide a comprehensive range of surface treatments, including gold plating, silver plating, and electroless nickel. The company serves diverse industrial sectors, delivering high-quality finishes for components that require enhanced performance and durability.
Hudson Plating Works, Inc. offers comprehensive metal finishing services from its facility in Moorpark, CA. With over 70 years of experience, the company specializes in the proper handling and precise finishing of hardware, ensuring manufacturing investments are secure and components are delivered on time and done right.
Based in Houston, Texas, Industrial Metal Finishing offers comprehensive industrial coating and metal finishing services. Their electroplating capabilities include gold, silver, tin, and rhodium, alongside electroless nickel, zinc, and copper. They also provide spray coatings like Teflon and Molybdenum Disulfide, and metal finishing services such as anodizing and passivation for various industries.
Based in Grand Prairie, TX, J S Plating & Repair operates both plating and repair facilities. The company provides industrial plating and repair services, managing strict supplier requirements for materials and services to ensure compliance with purchase order specifications. They focus on B2B operations within their US facility.
Lake City Plating offers comprehensive metal finishing services from its facilities in Ohio and Texas. The company provides various plating solutions, including gold plating, to meet the needs of industrial and commercial clients. With locations in Ashtabula and Jefferson, OH, and El Paso, TX, they serve a diverse B2B customer base across the United States.
Based in Cincinnati, OH, Leonhardt Plating Company is a family-owned and operated electroplating job-shop. Established in 1950, the company provides a variety of metal finishing services to commercial and industrial customers, focusing on quality and detailed service.
Based in Houston, TX, Love Plating is a full-service company specializing in restoring antique and decorative hardware and fixtures. They match various finishes for designers, architects, and commercial plating projects. Operating since 1986, the company provides custom solutions, focusing on quality restoration rather than replacement.
Metal Surfaces Inc., based in Bell Gardens, CA, is a precision electroplating and surface finishing provider. Established in 1954, it specializes in gold, nickel, silver, and tin plating services. MSI serves aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics industries, holding AS9100, IATF 16949, and Nadcap certifications for its advanced processes.
Based in Garland, TX, Micron Industries is an experienced metal finishing and electroplating company, operating since 1971 from a 70,000-square-foot facility. They offer a robust selection of services, including zinc plating, anodizing, electroless nickel, and precious metals plating, specifically providing tin, silver, and gold plating solutions.
Mil-Spec Plating, Inc. is an AS9100/ISO9001 certified electroplating facility based in Edgewater, FL. They specialize in industrial plating, particularly for the Aerospace and Defense industries. The company offers gold plating services, adhering to military and ASTM specifications such as MIL-G-45204 and ASTM B488, alongside other metal finishing solutions.
Based in Compton, CA, Morrell's Aerospace Electro Plating provides specialized processing services for the aerospace industry. Capabilities include anodizing, film coating, painting, chemical cleaning, blasting, and electroplating. They focus on quality finishes and comprehensive processing solutions for critical applications.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Pentrate Metal Processing, Inc. specializes in comprehensive metal finishing services and electroplating. They provide black oxide coating, chrome, and nickel plating for a diverse range of industrial and commercial components, including machined parts, fasteners, firearm components, die cast zinc, aluminum, and tools.
Based in Chatsworth, CA, Perfect Plating operates as a direct provider of plating services. The company invites customers to visit their facility during business hours for consultations and to explore their range of plating capabilities.
Based in Pico Rivera, CA, Pico Rivera Plating Inc is a family-owned metal finishing company. They offer a comprehensive range of plating and coating services, including electrolytic and electroless gold plating. Serving the aerospace, military, medical, and electronics industries, they specialize in various metals and finishing processes.
Guerrero Plating Technology, based in Houston, TX, specializes in industrial gold plating and comprehensive metal finishing services. Utilizing state-of-the-art facilities, the company offers a wide range of capabilities including electroless nickel, silver, tin, and anodizing for various industrial applications.
Based in Santa Ana, CA, Precious Metals Plating Co., Inc. provides high-quality metal finishing services for the aerospace, military, and electronic industries since 1957. Specializing in precision barrel and rack/wire plating, this NADCAP accredited company offers expanded capacity, expedited turnarounds, and in-house inspection with X-ray fluorescence equipment.
Based in Chicago, IL, Precision Plating Company offers electrolytic and electroless metal plating finishes. Established in 1904, they specialize in gold, silver, palladium, nickel, and tin plating for critical applications in automotive, aerospace, and medical device industries. Capabilities include reel-to-reel, rack, and barrel plating.
Precious Metals Plating Co Inc. provides specialized electroplating services focusing on precious metals, including gold. Located in Glenolden, PA, the company offers industrial and commercial plating solutions. They cater to various industries requiring high-quality, durable, and precise metallic coatings for components and products.
Precious Plate, Inc., based in Niagara Falls, NY, offers ultra-selective, continuous reel-to-reel electroplating services for gold, silver, palladium, and other precious metals. Serving Automotive, Electronics, Medical, and Aerospace & Defense industries, they provide customized solutions to conserve precious metals and reduce costs.
Based in Anaheim, CA, Precision Anodizing and Plating, Inc. is a Nadcap accredited, ISO9001:2015 certified metal finishing company. They provide anodizing, plating, passivating, and chem film services with over 47 years of experience. Serving sectors like Military, Aerospace, Marine, Medical, and Automotive, they ensure quality and precision.
Based in Sun Valley, CA, Prime Plating provides precision electroplating and anodizing services, including precious metals, for commercial, military, and aerospace specifications. Their 30,000 sq. ft. facility ensures high-quality, repeatable results using strict controls and proprietary plating formulations.
Prodigy Surface Tech Inc provides gold and platinum plating services from Santa Clara, CA. They specialize in difficult-to-plate materials for medical, military, aerospace, and semiconductor tool industries, offering prototype to production capabilities. The company holds AS9100, ISO 9001, and NADCAP certifications.
Based in Mukilteo, WA, Production Plating, Inc. is a Pacific Northwest metal finisher providing chemical processing, plating, and painting services. Established in 1972, they offer a range of high-quality solutions for aerospace, electronics, medical, and industrial applications, known for reliable processing and superior workmanship.
Quaker City Plating is a family-owned metal finishing company based in Whittier, CA. They specialize in a comprehensive array of plating services, including gold, electroless nickel, silver, and tin. The company provides quality metal finishing solutions, adhering to both commercial and military specifications for various industrial applications.
Based in Houston, TX, Reds Parts Attic & Chrome Plating Service provides expert metal plating. Specializing in gold, nickel, copper, and triple chrome finishes, they restore classic car bumpers, motorcycle, aircraft, and marine components. Their skilled craftsman offer polishing, repair, and plating services for a show-quality finish on various metals.
Based in Chicago, IL, Reliable Plating Corporation offers comprehensive metal finishing services, including gold, chrome, and nickel electroplating, electroless plating, and chemical conversion. Established in 1954, they serve diverse sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and military manufacturing. The company maintains ISO:9001 certification and provides many RoHS compliant finishes.
Based in Santa Clara, CA, Scientific Metal Finishing Inc. provides comprehensive metal finishing services. The company specializes in surface treatments and coatings for industrial and commercial applications, including precious metal plating such as gold.
Based in San Diego, CA, Sheffield Platers, Inc. has provided precision metal finishing services since 1946. The company specializes in a range of plating options, including gold, silver, copper, and electroless nickel. They partner with clients from product conception through production, delivering cost-effective, high-quality plating solutions for diverse applications.
Based in Sacramento, CA, Sherm's Custom Plating specializes in gold plating and comprehensive metal finishing services. They offer custom solutions including nickel, chrome, copper, brass, silver, and zinc plating, plus powder coating for various applications. The company caters to diverse industrial and commercial needs.
Based in Cibolo, TX, Signature Plating is a family-owned provider of quality plating products and services. They specialize in supporting the aviation industry, particularly for custom aircraft interiors. Their diverse team delivers top-quality work and an excellent customer experience to commercial and industrial clients.
Sonic Plating Company, based in Gardena, CA, offers over 50 years of experience in high-quality metal finishing. They specialize in gold, silver, nickel, copper, and tin plating, including chromate conversion coatings and passivation. The company serves demanding industrial clients across aerospace, medical, electronics, and defense sectors.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Spectrum Plating Company provides world-class metal finishing services. They specialize in reel-to-reel, rack, and barrel plating of contacts and components. The company serves diverse sectors, including automotive, computer, aerospace, and telecommunications industries, delivering high-quality solutions.
Based in Cleveland, OH, Stricker Refinishing specializes in electroplating services, including 24K bright gold plating compliant with Mil-G-45204 on aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, and steel. They also offer silver, electroless nickel, tin, copper, and Miralloy plating for aerospace, medical, automotive, and telecommunications industries.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Stutzman Plating Inc. is an established provider of high-end decorative metal finishes, operating since 1950. The company specializes in gold, chrome, brass, nickel, silver, and copper plating, among other finishes. They also offer proprietary non-hex California Compliant Chrome Plating.
Based in Lodi, NJ, Suffern Plating Corporation offers comprehensive metal finishing services. This ISO 9001:2008 registered company provides full-service solutions, including NFLICT mineral compliance and computerized lot control. As a dedicated metal finishing provider, they serve various industrial clients with their own facilities and workforce.
Based in Houston, TX, Surface Techniques specializes in metal finishing, offering anodizing and precious metal plating services. Serving industries such as packaging, food manufacturing, industrial fabrication, and oil and gas, the company provides finishing for varying metal product sizes and types. They have operated since 1976.
Based in New York, NY, T&M Plating is a direct provider of electroplating and metal finishing services. The company offers a range of plating capabilities to commercial and industrial clients, focusing on delivering high-quality surface treatments for various project types.
Based in Garden Grove, CA, Valence Surface Technologies provides aerospace product finishing services. The company specializes in chemical processing, shot peen, painting, spray coatings, and precision plating for critical satellite and UAV components. They serve commercial, business, space, medical, and defense sectors.
Based in Woodside, NY, Vernon Plating Works, Inc. provides selective and precision electroplating and metal finishing services. Since 1962, the company has delivered solutions for mission-critical components for the aerospace, defense, and telecommunications sectors, meeting AMS, MIL, and ASTM standards.
Based in Bronx, NY, Victoria Plating Co. is an ISO 9001:2000 certified provider of electro-plating and metal finishing services. Established in 1949, the company specializes in high-end decorative and custom finishing, serving large corporations, small businesses, decorators, and homeowners with personalized assistance.
Based in Chatsworth, CA, West Valley Plating Inc. is a full-service metal finishing provider for the aerospace, military, defense, and commercial industries. They specialize in plating, anodizing, passivation, and chemical conversion coatings, serving as a major producer of plated and anodized parts for critical applications.
W.F. Scott & Co. Inc. is a family-owned plating company established in 1956, specializing in decorative gold, rose gold, rhodium, silver, white bronze, nickel, and copper plating. They offer rack and barrel plating with high luster, low luster, matte, two-tone, select plating, and pen plating services from their Pico Rivera, CA facility, serving clients nationwide.
Based in Santee, CA, 24K Gold Plating Solutions specializes in providing comprehensive gold plating services. The company offers professional solutions for various items requiring a 24-karat gold finish. They cater to clients seeking high-quality and durable gold plating applications for diverse needs.
Based in Escondido, CA, A & D Electroless Nickel Zinc Plating Anodizing Chem Film Passivation provides diverse metal finishing services. Offerings include electroless nickel, zinc plating, anodizing, passivation, and Chem Film in gold and clear. The company serves local manufacturers across Southern California, ensuring fast turnaround times and immediate quotes for various plating specifications.
Based in Milwaukee, WI, Advanced Plating Technologies is a fourth-generation, family-owned metal finishing job shop. They provide engineered solutions in surface finishing, specializing in conductive and functional coatings. Services include rack, barrel, and vibratory plating, powder coating, and passivation for a range of demanding industries.
Advanced Metal Finishing provides precision metal finishing services for mission-critical components in the aerospace, defense, and medical sectors. The company delivers high-spec finishes with NADCAP-ready processes, full traceability, and rapid turnaround, ensuring parts meet demanding specifications and tight tolerances.
Based in Long Beach, CA, Antique Metal Finishing specializes in custom metal plating and polishing services. Their offerings include a diverse range of finishes such as brass, bronze, copper, nickel, silver, and gold plating. They serve the restoration, design, and manufacturing industries, providing high-quality metal finishing solutions.
Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Cal-Aurum Industries delivers high-quality metal finishing and electroplating services. Since 1971, the company has specialized in gold, silver, palladium, and nickel plating for the microelectronics, aerospace, electrical connector, and test and measurement markets. They hold Nadcap and AS9100 quality accreditations.
Based in Ponder, TX, Metal Fusion Plating offers comprehensive plating services, including 24K gold, chrome, brass, nickel, and copper. They specialize in plating non-conductive materials like plastic, fiberglass, and 3D prints, alongside metals such as steel and aluminum. Services also include polishing and stripping.
Based in Oceanside, CA, Decorative Metal Coatings provides comprehensive metal finishing services. They specialize in 24k gold, chrome, electroless nickel, copper, brass, nickel, and silver plating. The company enhances the aesthetics and durability of metal surfaces, catering to various applications including classic car and home decor restoration.
D & L Custom Metal Finishing, based in Riverside, CA, specializes in industrial gold plating services. They provide comprehensive electroplating solutions for demanding applications, offering precise finishes in copper, nickel, silver, and tin, along with anodizing and passivation. The company serves critical sectors including aerospace, medical, electronics, and defense.
Electronic Precision Specialties, Inc. (EPSI) is a precision electroplating facility based in Brea, CA. Established in 1980, EPSI offers premium gold, silver, nickel, and other metal plating services. They specialize in complex projects for industries including electronics, medical, and aerospace.
Based in Oceanside, CA, Elite Metal Finishing provides specialized metal finishing services, including comprehensive gold plating solutions. The company offers precise and durable surface treatments for various industrial and commercial applications, focusing on quality and adherence to specific customer requirements for high-performance finishes. They serve clients needing reliable plating expertise.
Based in Santa Clara, CA, ENS Technology offers full-service metal plating and finishing for metal and plastic substrates. Capabilities include electroless nickel, stainless steel passivation, chemical film deposition, exotic metal, and diffusion firing. As an FAA Certified Repair Station, they serve aerospace, defense, and other demanding industrial applications.
Hamilton, OH-based Future Finishes provides precision metal plating for demanding industries. Services include tin and copper plating, plus bright dip, for automotive, electrical, and industrial components. They focus on consistent quality and a collaborative approach for business clients.
Based in Rowlett, TX, Gleco Plating Inc. specializes in high-quality precious metal plating services, including gold, silver, palladium, copper, and nickel. Serving industries such as automotive, electronics, medical, and defense, the company leverages over 25 years of experience to provide comprehensive plating solutions from its US facility.
Based in La Habra, CA, La Habra Plating Company specializes in fine metal finishing services. Established in 1972, the company provides gold, copper, nickel, chrome, and black nickel plating. With over 50 years of experience, they also offer polishing services for a wide range of industrial applications.
Based in Sacramento, CA, Metal Finishing Group provides a comprehensive suite of metal finishing processes and solutions from its large-scale facility. With Northern California's largest finishing infrastructure, they accommodate diverse part dimensions with tanks up to 12 ft long, serving critical applications across various industrial sectors.
Based in Sugar Land, TX, Mitchell's Plating specializes in 24Kt gold electroplating, silver plating, refinishing, and restoration of sacred vessels. Serving the Catholic Church since 1967, they provide replating, polishing, and repair for chalices, tabernacles, and other churchware, with a five-year guarantee and onsite services.
Perfection Plating Inc. is a US-based company providing various industrial and commercial plating finishes, including gold plating services. Located in Elk Grove Village, IL, the company offers a range of plating solutions with a focus on quality, serving diverse manufacturing needs.
Pulido Plating is a metal finishing company based in Balch Springs, TX. They specialize in a wide range of custom plating services, including gold, silver, zinc, and electroless nickel. Serving industrial clients in defense, aerospace, medical, and electronic sectors, Pulido Plating provides essential surface treatment solutions.
Quality Gold Plating, LLC provides 24K gold electroplating services, utilizing a wand application method. They apply gold to chrome auto emblems, stainless steel, and mechanical parts in the medical field for corrosion prevention. The company also offers gold plating for watches.
Based in Garland, TX, Texas Precision Plating, Inc. is a family-owned metal finishing company established in 1966. They provide extensive plating services, including gold, silver, and nickel, alongside anodize and chem film. The company serves commercial, automotive, aerospace, military, and government sectors.
Based in Baton Rouge, LA, The Chrome Man provides custom electroplating services, specializing in chrome, nickel, copper, gold, and silver finishes. With over 50 years of experience, the company offers show quality plating for automotive, motorcycle, marine, and antique parts restoration projects.
Based in Stockton, CA, Valley Plating Works, Inc. is a family-owned metal finishing company established in 1939. They provide comprehensive electroplating services, including gold, nickel, copper, and silver plating, alongside anodizing and powder coating. The company utilizes advanced technology for diverse industrial plating needs.
Based in New Orleans, LA, Zito's Plating & Polishing Works, Inc. offers comprehensive metal refinishing services. With over 80 years of experience, they provide precious metal plating, polishing, and restoration for residential and commercial markets, including door hardware, plumbing sets, and lighting.
Based in Azusa, California, C & M Gold Plating is a metal finishing company established in 1974. They specialize in gold plating and offer a range of other finishes including electroless nickel, silver, and rhodium. The company provides custom plating solutions for industrial clients across aerospace, medical, electronics, and automotive sectors.
Golden Plating is a company based in Garland, TX, specializing in industrial gold plating services. They provide precise and durable plating solutions for various commercial and industrial components, focusing on quality surface finishing and material protection.
Houston Plating & Coatings LLC, based in Humble, TX, specializes in industrial electroplating, electroless nickel plating, and coating services. They provide both soft and hard gold plating for critical components, serving diverse industries such as oil & gas, aerospace, defense, and medical.
Based in Centralia, WA, American Plating provides comprehensive metal finishing services, specializing in gold, silver, and electroless nickel plating. They offer precision coating solutions for critical components in aerospace, medical, electronics, and automotive industries, utilizing their own facilities and expertise.
Based in Anaheim, CA, Platinum Surface Coating specializes in industrial and commercial metal finishing. The company provides a range of surface coating services, including precious metal plating. Utilizing its own facilities, they offer high-quality, precise applications of coatings like gold, platinum, and rhodium for manufacturing and technical needs.
Specialty Metal Finishing, Inc. provides comprehensive metal finishing services, including various plating solutions for industrial and commercial clients. Based in Houston, TX, the company focuses on enhancing the performance and aesthetics of metal components through specialized surface treatments. They serve businesses requiring high-quality, durable finishes.
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How to Choose a Company
- Verify application-specific gold type and hardness: Confirm the supplier can consistently plate the correct gold type—hard gold with specific Knoop hardness for wear resistance, or high-purity soft gold for wire bonding applications.
- Evaluate their underlayer expertise: Ensure they understand and can apply appropriate underlayers, such as sulfamate nickel, critical for adhesion, corrosion resistance, and diffusion barrier properties on specific substrates.
- Assess in-house quality control and measurement: Demand evidence of robust quality control, including XRF (X-ray fluorescence) for precise gold thickness measurement and regular adhesion and porosity testing.
- Confirm relevant industry certifications and standards: For aerospace components, require NADCAP accreditation or adherence to AMS 2422. For electronics, verify compliance with IPC-4552 or ASTM B488, alongside ISO 9001.
- Understand their process capabilities (rack vs. barrel): Determine if their primary plating method (rack, barrel, or selective plating) aligns with your component’s geometry, volume, and critical surface finish requirements, ensuring uniformity and minimizing potential damage.
- Red Flag: Vague "gold finish" descriptions or lack of material verification: Be wary of suppliers who are hesitant to provide detailed specifications for gold purity (caratage), thickness, or do not offer XRF verification reports for each batch.
- Inquire about their experience with your substrate material: Gold plating behaves differently on various base metals (e.g., copper, brass, stainless steel, Kovar); ensure the plater has proven experience with your specific substrate to prevent adhesion failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between hard gold and soft gold, and which should I choose for my application?
Hard gold, typically alloyed with cobalt or nickel, offers superior wear resistance and Knoop hardness, making it ideal for electrical contacts, connectors, and switch components that experience repeated mating cycles. Soft gold, a pure 24K gold, is softer and more ductile, making it excellent for wire bonding, soldering, and high-frequency applications where low electrical resistance and ductility are paramount. Your choice depends directly on the functional requirements of the component.
Is a nickel underlayer always necessary for gold plating, and why?
While not always mandatory, a nickel underlayer (often sulfamate nickel) is highly recommended for most functional gold plating applications. It serves several critical purposes: it provides a hard, non-porous barrier to prevent diffusion of the base metal into the gold, enhances corrosion resistance, improves adhesion, and often provides a leveling layer to create a smoother surface for subsequent gold deposition. Skipping it can lead to premature wear, corrosion, and diminished electrical performance.
How is gold plating thickness measured, and what's considered an acceptable tolerance?
Gold plating thickness is most accurately measured using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, a non-destructive method that determines the elemental composition and thickness of coatings. Other methods like eddy current or beta backscatter can be used but are less common for gold. Acceptable tolerances vary widely by application and specification (e.g., +/- 10% or +/- 0.05 microns), so it's crucial to define this precisely with your supplier.
What causes porosity in gold plating, and how can suppliers mitigate it?
Porosity refers to tiny pinholes or voids in the gold layer that can expose the underlying metal, leading to corrosion or diminished performance. It can be caused by improper surface preparation, contamination in the plating bath, inadequate plating thickness, or roughness of the substrate. Reputable suppliers mitigate porosity through meticulous cleaning processes, tightly controlled bath chemistry, appropriate underlayers, and sufficient gold deposition, often verified by specific porosity tests.
What's the difference between rack plating and barrel plating for gold, and which is better?
Rack plating involves individually fixturing parts onto racks, allowing for precise control, uniform thickness, and minimal cosmetic imperfections, making it ideal for delicate, complex, or large components, or when critical areas need selective plating. Barrel plating is a bulk process where smaller parts are tumbled in a rotating barrel, offering a cost-effective solution for high-volume, small, durable parts, though it can result in less uniform thickness and potential impingement marks. "Better" depends entirely on your part's geometry, volume, and specifications.
What certifications should I look for in a gold plating company for highly regulated industries like aerospace or medical?
For aerospace, prioritize suppliers with NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) for chemical processing and AS9100 quality management system certification. For medical devices, ISO 13485 (medical devices quality management) is critical, alongside general quality certifications like ISO 9001. Additionally, look for compliance with specific material standards like ASTM B488 or AMS 2422, and environmental regulations like RoHS and REACH.