Silver Plating

Silver Plating Process

Silver plating can be deposited onto aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, steel, and stainless-steel alloys. Typically, a silver plating specification will specify a matte, semi-bright, or bright finish with or without a chromate post-treatment to improve tarnish resistance. Silver electroplate can be applied utilizing either rack fixture or barrel plating technologies.

Pure silver has a brilliant white metallic luster. It is a bit harder than gold and very ductile and malleable. Pure silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals and the lowest contact resistance. Silver is stable in pure air and water but tarnishes when exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide, or air containing sulfur.

The thickness of coatings can range from 1 micron for short-term shelf life and solderability to 10 microns for thermo-compression bonding and die attachment and up to 40 microns for severe wear resistance applications. Some common silver-plating specifications include ASTM B 700, QQ-S-365, AMS 2410, and AMS 2412.

Silver Plating Applications

Silver is primarily used in electroplating for industrial applications, particularly electrical connectors. It is also used in the telecom, automotive, jewelry, and dinnerware industries. In aerospace, this is most prevalent in turbine engines and electrical components such as industrial electrical connectors. Silver’s notable advantages as a surface finish are high conductivity, solderability, and heat resistance. Turbine engines subject their components to extreme levels of heat and usage, making silver plating vital for heat and friction resistance.

Contact the Experts at Silvex, Inc.

Our silver plating process can conform to these and many individual company specifications. We can provide matte and bright silver on aluminum, brass, castings, copper, invar, kovar, steel, and titanium on items up to 48 inches long. To learn more about our plating silver processes, contact us at Silvex today!