シルベック List of Products and Services

We will perform anodizing on aluminum die castings (ADC5, 6, 12)! Our company has been honing our surface treatment techniques for aluminum die castings for many years. We take pride in having extensive know-how regarding plating, chemical treatment, and anodizing. We are skilled in anodizing not only ADC5 and ADC6, which have good anodizing properties, but also ADC12. Our original technology, HiC Anodizing, has a proven track record of 240 hours R.N9.5 in the JIS Neutral Salt Spray Test (SST). ■ Standard Anodizing ■ Color Anodizing ■ High Corrosion Resistance Anodizing

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Q: I would like to apply a plating with good solderability to fine items around 2mm. Is this possible? A: Yes, it is possible. There are several types of plating with good solderability, such as solderable nickel plating, silver plating, tin plating, and other barrel plating options. If you could provide the intended use and any other quality requirements, we can make recommendations.

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Q: Can barrel plating be done for complex-shaped SUS304 (stainless steel) parts? A: Yes, barrel plating can be done. Barrel plating for products that are prone to entanglement or bending is one of our specialties. Please feel free to consult with us.

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Q: How thick can silver plating be applied? A: Generally, silver plating can achieve thicknesses of several hundred micrometers, but regardless of silver plating, the risk of variation in plating thickness increases as the thickness increases. We can propose the optimal plating thickness based on your application and purpose, so please feel free to consult us.

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Q: Is it possible to nickel plate aluminum materials using a barrel? A: Yes, it is possible at our company. Depending on the shape and size of the aluminum, the cost-effectiveness of plating using jigs versus plating using barrels will vary. We will review the product drawings and shapes to suggest which method would be more cost-effective, as well as discuss the differences in quality. In addition to price differences, the performance benefits of having a complete plating coating without jig contact, and the effectiveness of barrels for achieving plating on the inner diameter in the case of tubular products, are significant.

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Q: Is it possible to nickel plate products with shapes that are easily bent or stacked using a barrel? A: Yes, it is possible at our company. We have a variety of barrel systems that accommodate different shapes and movements. While there are limitations, we can select barrels or dummies (dummy materials placed in the barrel together) that match the shape, allowing us to plate many parts with easily deformable shapes, overlapping plate-like components, and parts with numerous holes. We look forward to your request for sample creation.

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Q: Is there a comparison table of soldering performance between solderable nickel plating and other types of plating? A: The results of solder wetting evaluation tests conducted using the wetting balance method (equilibrium method) for various platings are included in our document "Soldering Performance Test Data."

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Q: I heard that there are three types of gloss: glossy, semi-gloss, and matte. Is it possible to layer these nickel finishes, for example? A: Yes, it is possible to layer them. For instance, by layering a glossy nickel plating over a semi-gloss nickel plating, you can utilize the potential difference to create a plating with good corrosion resistance, known as double nickel plating.

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Q: Please tell me the correlation between the thickness of solderable nickel plating and solder wettability. A: Below 3μm, the original performance cannot be achieved. A thickness of around 5μm provides stable and good solder wettability. Even if the thickness increases beyond 5μm, the solder wettability remains the same as at 5μm.

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Q: Is it possible to apply solderable nickel plating on aluminum? A: Solderable nickel plating can be applied to aluminum materials. Plating processes such as jig plating and barrel plating are possible. Regardless of the type of aluminum material, it is certainly possible for rolled aluminum alloys, and we can also accommodate cast aluminum alloys, such as aluminum die castings, without any issues.

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Q: Can the gloss level of solderable nickel plating (electrolytic nickel plating for soldering) be specified, such as glossy nickel or semi-glossy nickel? A: It cannot achieve a super glossy finish like a mirror. The determination of gloss level is up to the customer, but management from a slight gloss to semi-gloss is possible.

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Q: Can solderable nickel plating be done with both jigs and barrels? A: Yes, it is possible. Our company has both jig plating lines (static bath plating lines) and barrel plating lines (rotating plating lines) for electric nickel plating "solderable nickel plating," which has solder wettability equivalent to tin plating. We can provide samples for solder wettability evaluation tests, so please feel free to contact us.

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Q: Please tell me the minimum thickness, maximum thickness, and recommended thickness for solderable nickel plating (electrolytic nickel plating for soldering). A: To achieve solder wetting properties equivalent to tin plating, a minimum of 3μm and a recommended thickness of 5μm is required. However, even if the thickness exceeds 5μm, the solder wetting properties remain "unchanged," so for barrel-plated solderable nickel, we specify a thickness of 3 to 6μm as per the drawings.

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Q: Is it possible to have nickel plating with solder wetting properties equivalent to tin plating in non-flux soldering? A: Yes, it is possible with our company. We have a unique technology that allows us to achieve solder wetting properties equivalent to tin plating with nickel plating. We call this product "Solderable Nickel Plating." It is a technology with many years of successful applications. We can provide samples for solder wetting property evaluation. Please consider evaluating it.

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Q: Is it possible to purchase the Alon plating system? A: We do not sell Alon plating chemicals or systems.

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Q: What is Alon plating? A: It refers to a high corrosion-resistant plating on aluminum materials. The type of plating can vary depending on the customer's application, and we can accommodate various types of plating. If you provide us with the corrosion resistance you are targeting, we can evaluate it by creating Alon plating samples in consultation with our specifications.

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Q: I want both corrosion resistance and solderability in aluminum material. Is it possible to use aluminum plating with solderable nickel plating? A: Yes, it is possible. Depending on the corrosion resistance required by the customer, the thickness of the base plating will vary, but it is possible to plate aluminum metal with a coating that has high corrosion resistance and solderability.

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Q: I would like to apply a medium-phosphorus electroless nickel plating as a final coating on aluminum alloy (A5056). Is this possible? If so, what level of corrosion resistance can be expected? A: Based on our experience, we have achieved a corrosion resistance test result of over R.N9.3 for 96 hours in a CASS test on a product with 15μm of medium-phosphorus electroless nickel directly applied to A5056. If we use an Alon plating, the corrosion resistance will further improve. If you provide us with your target corrosion resistance, we can create samples and conduct evaluations.

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Q: Is it possible to apply aluminum nickel plating to aluminum die-cast (ADC12) material using barrel plating? A: Yes, it is possible. Our company has extensive experience with barrel nickel plating on aluminum die-cast ADC12. There are no issues with barrel plating aluminum nickel plating on ADC12.

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Q: I would like to ensure electrical properties and corrosion resistance by applying Alon silver plating to aluminum alloy (A5052). Is this possible? A: Yes, it is possible. The corrosion resistance will vary depending on the required performance, but by using "Alon plating," which has high adhesion, to apply a silver plating on the top layer, it is possible to achieve a silver plating that combines high corrosion resistance with the electrical properties of silver.

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Q: Is it possible to apply aluminum chrome plating on aluminum die casting (ADC12)? A: Yes, it is possible. Our company has a wealth of experience with aluminum chrome plating on aluminum die casting ADC12. The most commonly adopted is aluminum chrome. The characteristics of our aluminum chrome include not only very high corrosion resistance but also excellent post-plating workability, particularly in terms of ductility, making it a significant feature that the coating does not crack even when subjected to processes like riveting.

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Q: Can aluminum materials be galvanized with zinc? A: Yes, we can. We perform zinc galvanizing on aluminum die castings and aluminum lost wax products, among others.

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Q: What is the storage method for galvanized products? A: Not just for galvanized items, it is recommended to store plated products in a sealed container that can block outside air, avoiding high temperatures, high humidity, and direct sunlight.

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Q: Is it better for the zinc plating to be thicker? A: Generally, thicker zinc plating improves resistance to red rust. However, resistance to white rust does not depend on the thickness of the zinc plating, but rather on the performance of the chromate treatment coating.

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Q: What are the suitable applications for zinc plating? A: The main application of zinc plating is rust prevention (anti-corrosion) for steel parts, but we can also perform zinc plating on zinc alloy die castings and aluminum alloy die castings (with trivalent chromate and black chromate options available). Please feel free to consult us.

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Q: Is chromate treatment necessary for zinc-coated surfaces? A: In the case of electro-galvanized coatings, chromate treatment is applied to most products after zinc plating. Zinc coatings are very prone to rust. For zinc plating on iron materials, the zinc coating helps to delay the onset of red rust by corroding (forming white rust), which prevents the occurrence of red rust. Chromate treatment is performed to prevent the formation of white rust (for rust prevention purposes). The corrosion resistance against the formation of white rust depends on the performance of the chromate coating.

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Q: What is the difference between electroplating and hot-dip galvanizing? A: Electroplated zinc is a type of plating that uses electrical action to deposit metal dissolved in the plating solution onto the product. Hot-dip galvanizing involves immersing the product in molten zinc to adhere the metal to it. Since it is easier to achieve a thicker coating with hot-dip galvanizing, it is often applied to steel structures for corrosion protection against salt damage.

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Q: Is trivalent chromium plating different from trivalent chromate? A: The two are completely different technologies. Plating is a technique that covers a material with metal, while chromate treatment is a chemical treatment. Trivalent chromium plating is typically done over nickel plating, and the base material can be any metal that can be plated. However, trivalent chromate is generally applied after zinc plating, but we can also directly apply trivalent chromate to aluminum die casting and zinc die casting.

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Q: What is the difference from other black coatings? A: Generally, it is cheaper than other black coatings, but it tends to discolor quickly and has a large variation in color tone, so its applications can be considered limited.

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Q: Does Silvec's black nickel plating have a range of color tones? A: The color tone varies from a bluish-black to a brownish-black, but it is difficult to control it to a specific color tone.

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Q: What are the applications of black nickel plating? A: Black nickel plating is well-suited for optical components that dislike light reflection, particularly for parts used inside housings. It is also applicable to decorative items such as bag fittings when coated with clear paint. While it can be used as a base for painting, if corrosion resistance is required, we recommend "zinc plating + trivalent black chromate treatment."

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Q: Does black nickel plating discolor? A: Yes, it does discolor. In particular, black nickel that is nickel-zinc based is prone to discoloration.

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Q: What are the differences other than color compared to nickel plating? A: Black nickel plating is a plating film of a metallic compound rather than a metal, so it is softer than nickel plating and has inferior corrosion resistance and discoloration resistance.

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Q: What parts do you recommend for Suzuki Kobalt? A: Suzuki Kobalt plating is recommended for applications where there is no rubbing during use, particularly for small, complex-shaped products when you want to plate at a low cost.

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Q: What is the difference between tin-cobalt plating and chrome plating? A: The difference between tin-cobalt plating and chrome plating is that the tin-cobalt plating film is made of a softer metal, which makes it less wear-resistant and less corrosion-resistant compared to chrome plating. However, it is cheaper and has better adhesion than chrome plating.

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Q: What is the substrate for Suzukoba plating? A: The substrate for Suzukoba cobalt plating is generally nickel plating.

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Q: Is there a tin-cobalt plating with good corrosion resistance? A: There are plating solutions that add nickel or copper to tin-cobalt to improve corrosion resistance, but none of them have the high corrosion resistance comparable to black chrome plating.

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Q: What are the applications of tin-cobalt plating? A: Tin-cobalt plating mainly comes in white and black types. The white type has a color tone similar to chrome plating but offers much better adhesion than chrome plating, and since barrel plating is possible, it is referred to as substitute chrome and is suitable for complex shapes and fine products. The black type can produce colors ranging from bluish black to brownish black, making it suitable for optical components that dislike light reflection, as well as for bag hardware and accessories (which require clear coating).

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Q: Please tell me about a plating that has good solderability and does not generate whiskers. A: Our solderable nickel plating has solder wetting properties equivalent to tin plating, does not generate whiskers, and is a cost-effective option. Precious metal plating (such as gold, silver, platinum, etc.) also has good solderability and does not generate whiskers, but it is expensive.

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Q: Please tell me about whiskers. A: Whiskers refer to fine, wire-like metallic crystals that occur from tin plating and zinc plating. In electrical and electronic components, the growth of whiskers can cause short circuits, making their suppression a significant challenge. It is said that whiskers are particularly likely to occur in bright tin plating, but they can also occur in matte tin plating. The prevailing theory is that internal stress within the plating film during plating or in corrosive environments is the cause of whisker formation, but the exact mechanism of their generation remains unclear. To reduce the occurrence of whiskers in tin plating, methods such as alloy plating with reflow, silver, copper, and bismuth are being implemented, but complete suppression of whiskers has not yet been achieved.

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Q: Besides tin plating, what other platings have good solder wetting properties? A: Our "Solderable Nickel Plating" has solder wetting properties equivalent to tin plating, does not produce whiskers, and is a cost-effective plating. Precious metal platings (such as gold, silver, platinum, etc.) generally have good solder wetting properties, but they are expensive.

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Q: What are the characteristics of the differences in tin plating baths? A: Acidic bath: Fast plating speed, inferior adhesion compared to alkaline baths, capable of producing matte, semi-gloss, and glossy finishes. Alkaline bath: Slower plating speed (half that of acidic baths), but good adhesion; glossy appearance cannot be achieved. Neutral bath: Suitable for plating on materials such as glass and ceramics that are affected by traditional acidic and alkaline baths; expensive.

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Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of tin plating? A: The advantages of tin plating are: 1. Good solder wetting properties during soldering. 2. Being a soft metal, it can easily break through any oxide film due to sliding, exposing the tin metal. 3. Decorative properties due to its beautiful silver-white color. 4. It is a low-toxicity metal with good corrosion resistance and chemical resistance. The disadvantages are: 1. The occurrence of whiskers. 2. Over time, an oxide film can form on the plating surface, making it prone to a gray, non-lustrous appearance.

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Q: Is it possible to have tin plating without whiskers? A: No, it is not possible. Tin plating always has the potential to generate whiskers. While applying a nickel plating as a base or reflowing can somewhat suppress their occurrence, it is not complete. Solder is an alloy of tin and lead, and adding lead to tin is effective in suppressing whisker formation. However, due to the RoHS directive, lead cannot be used now, so alternative solder platings such as tin-bismuth, tin-silver, and tin-copper are being developed. However, these also have some effect on whisker suppression, but it is not complete.

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Q: Why does tin plating have good solder wetting properties? A: Tin, the metal used in tin plating, has a low melting point of 231.9 degrees Celsius and is also a component metal of solder, allowing it to blend well with molten solder. Even if there is an oxide film on the plating surface, it is soft and easily broken, which means it has little impact on solder wetting properties.

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