Post-Treatment

Electroplated parts often undergo more processing to further improve one or more characteristics of the parts, such as corrosion resistance, lubricity, ductility, torque uniformity, and identifiability.

A brief review of each post-treatment is provided below.  Wolverine Plating Corporation can provide each of these post treatments to obtain the results you need from your metal part:

Hexavalent Chromates

These can be applied to electroplated parts after the plating process has been completed.  As a result, the corrosion, wear, and abrasion resistance of the part are dramatically improved.  These include clear, black, olive drab and yellow.

Trivalent Chromates

Same as hexavalent, except these “these coatings are ELV (end of life vehicles) and RoHS compliant.”

Baking for Hydrogen Embrittlement

Embrittlement, or loss of ductility or strength of a part, can be a cause of failure in hardened metal parts.  The electroplating process may induce hydrogen embrittlement.  To offset this, parts are subjected to a baking process that dramatically reduces the chance of hydrogen embrittlement.

Sealants

These can be applied after the plating process to improve the corrosion resistance of the part.

Waxes and Torque Tension Fluids

These can be applied after the plating process to improve lubricity and the uniformity of the torque.

Dyes

To improve the look of the part, dyes can be added.  Red, orange, black, yellow, green, blue and violet are commonly used.  These dyes can also be applied for identification purposes. FOR example green and red could identify a right side or left side part.

Don’t Know if Your Part Needs a Post-Treatment?

The experts at Wolverine Plating Corporation can help.  Please contact us to discuss your post-treatment needs and options.