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Can we change electroplating to vacuum coating?

I am working with metal electroplating like Nickel and other layers like brass and gold . I am looking to replace these baths with vacuum coating for metal layers. The base material of the pieces is Zamac, steel, Aluminum and other material. Some of the pieces are small size like screws ,we used to plate it with a nickel or tin layer in barrels. Is the PVD system the required system or you have more better system? Please advise for a new process which to be with out chemicals solutions .

Mohammad.Hawasly
- Damascus, SYRIA
2003

You can but it's going to be more expensive. Specially for high volume commodity work. Only situation where vacuum can beat plating in large volumes is for mirror like plastic surfaces that are not going to suffer handling or scratching. In this application, nickel and chrome can be substituted for a less expensive aluminum vacuum deposition plus lacquer (inside of lamps is an example of this).

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2003