Electroplating Services
Electroplating service is exclusively for First Mold custom parts
We pre-calculate plating thickness during machining to prevent assembly failures.
Electroplating Finishes We Manage
Available finishes only for custom parts manufactured by First Mold
Gold Plating
Nickel Plating
Silver Plating
Platinum Plating
Copper-Tin-Zinc Plating
Nickel-Tungsten Plating
Silver-Tungsten Plating
Palladium-Nickel Plating
Please specify your required plating thickness on the 2D drawing. We will pre-compensate the machining dimensions to ensure perfect assembly.
Base Materials & Common Applications
We manufacture and electroplate components across a wide range of metal and plastic substrates.
Compatible Substrates
Aluminum Alloys
6061-T6 | 7075-T6 | 5052
Extreme surface hardness and wear resistance.
Steels & Stainless Steels
1018/1045 | 304/316 SS
Mild steel rust prevention.
Copper & Brass
C360 Brass | C110 Copper
Precious metal finishes (Gold, Silver).
Injection Molded Plastics
ABS | PC/ABS
Cosmetic finishes and EMI shielding.
Typical Custom Part Applications
| Base Material | Recommended Finish(es) | Thickness Range (µm) | Representative Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Alloys | Electroless Nickel (ENP), Gold, Silver | ENP: 25–75, Au/Ag: 5–10 | Custom housings, RF shielding, aerospace structural brackets. |
| Stainless Steels | Hard Chrome, Nickel, Gold, ENP | ENP: 25–50, Hard Chrome: 20–100+ | Medical instruments, fluid control valves, marine hardware. |
| Carbon & Alloy Steels | Hard Chrome, Zinc, Nickel-Tungsten, ENP | Hard Chrome: 50–250, Zinc: 8–25 | Heavy-duty shafts, custom tooling & fixtures, gears. |
| Copper & Brass | Hard Gold, Silver, Palladium-Nickel, Tin | Gold/Pd-Ni: 0.5–5, Tin: 5–15 | Custom contacts, RF connectors, precision test probes. |
| Zinc Alloys | Cu-Ni-Cr, Black Zinc, Silver | Cu-Ni-Cr: 15–30, Black Zinc: 5–10 | Custom enclosures, lock mechanisms. |
| Injection Molded Plastics | Cu-Ni, Chrome/Gold | Total: 10–40 | EMI/RFI shielding shells, medical device bezels. |
The First Mold's Precision Electroplating Standard
Don't let inferior outsourced finishes ruin high-quality custom parts.
Through over a decade of strictly managing our integrated finishing network, First Mold has perfected the plating process for thousands of custom projects. You don’t have to worry about any quality issues related to electroplating. We have extensive experience in electroplating rapid prototypes, injection-molded parts, and more.
DFM Tips - Help Us Build It Right
As a custom manufacturer, here is what our CAM engineers and injection molding experts actually look for in your CAD models and 2D prints.
Define "Pre-Plate" vs. "Post-Plate" Dimensions
For Metal & Plastic
Do not leave tolerances to guesswork. Clearly specify on your 2D drawings whether before or after plating.
Account for Internal Stresses in Plastic
Mainly For Plastic
Ensure uniform wall thickness in your design to minimize molded-in stresses, which may cause of blistering and peeling.
Provide Fluid Drainage Paths for Complex Components
For Metal & Plastic
If your design has complex internal structures, please allow us to add small, hidden drainage holes
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