“Selective plating” is often misunderstood. This informative article will help take the mystery out of the process, and out of the vendors who do this specialized service. For example, did you know that selective plating is usually done at room temperature?

1. “Selective plating” is often misunderstood. This informative article will help take the mystery out of the process,
and out of the vendors who do this specialized service. For example, did you know that selective plating is usually
done at room temperature?
Selective plating means that only a portion of a part has plating applied to it.
Let’s say you have an a metal arm inside an electrical switch and you only need the tip plated (for low electrical resistance),
not the entire arm. This is a perfect application for selective plating. The arm can be masked so only the tip is plated.
This information might help you decide if selective plating is right for you…
1. It’s selective
True to its name, this process allows you to only deposit metal on the areas that need it, instead of having to dip the entire
component into a plating bath and plate the whole surface. That way, you don’t have to worry about coating areas that don’t
need it – which is a waste of your time and money!
And, because your metal plater can control exactly where the metal coating goes (and doesn’t go), they can also control
how thick the coating is applied. That way, areas that need a thick coating can get it, while areas that need just a little can
get that, too.
2. It’s done by the very best
When it absolutely, positively must be done right the first time, you need to make sure it’s done by the best of the best.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to help you find them! Just be on the lookout for Nadcap certified metal platers.
In order to get Nadcap certification, platers have to go through a very rigorous process that can last for months. They’re
tested and evaluated, and only those meeting stringent standards are rewarded with certification at the end. So, if you find
a company with Nadcap certification, you can rest easy knowing that you’re going to get a quality finished product.
You can even narrow your search down to Nadcap certification that’s done by metal to be plated. For example, you can look
for specific Nadcap certified gold platers, if that’s the only metal you’re interested in.
Nadcap certification isn’t easy, and that’s why there aren’t very many of them. If you’re in a large metropolitan area, there
might be one near you. However, if you’re away from large population centers, you might have to ship your parts some
distance.
When quality is your most important plating concern, choose a Nadcap certified metal plater every time.
It costs the metal plater money and time in order to become Nadcap certified, and keep that certification. That cost has to be
included in the price of plating your parts. You may pay a little more…but what is your peace of mind worth? And maybe
your job, if you’re a purchasing agent?
3. It can be done on one piece or a whole bunch of pieces
Even though it’s got “selective” in the name doesn’t mean you can’t use selective plating on a lot of parts. Luckily, a good
plating company will have a facility that’s big enough to handle virtually any size order.
4. There’s no heat involved
Selective plating can be done at room temperature, so there’s no risk of damaging anything from extreme heat.