Influence of polishing quality on later plating
Author: Robby
The influence of polishing quality on later plating is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Mechanical damage: the grinding action of abrasives during polishing may scratch the plating layer, resulting in a decrease in the lustre and quality of the plating layer. The brittleness and hardness of the plating layer is high, which makes it easy to be mechanically damaged, so the mechanical stress during the polishing process will cause damage to the plating layer.
Thermal effect: The polishing wax used in polishing generates heat, which leads to an increase in the temperature of the plating layer, which in turn affects the chemical composition and lustre of the plating layer. High temperatures can cause the thermoplasticity of the plating layer to be destroyed, resulting in a loss of lustre.
Surface roughness: The roughness of the polished surface directly affects the quality of the plated layer. A rough surface will increase the defects of the plating layer and reduce its corrosion resistance and aesthetics. Therefore, the surface after polishing should reach a certain smoothness, usually 6~7 levels, to ensure that the plating layer is smooth and even.
Corrosion resistance: the quality of polishing has a significant effect on the corrosion resistance of plated parts. If the polishing is not sufficient, the corrosion resistance of plated parts will be reduced. For example, a foreign brand of faucet plating products, after the same plating layer thickness treatment, due to the different polishing process, its corrosion resistance will have a significant difference.
Measures to improve the quality of polishing include:
Choose the right polishing machine and polishing wax: avoid using too rough abrasives and overheated polishing wax to reduce the mechanical damage and thermal effect on the plating layer.
Avoid polishing on the surface of the plating layer: Try to polish before plating to minimise damage to the plating layer.
Regular maintenance: inspect, clean and maintain the plating layer on a regular basis, find and repair scratches and scuff marks on the surface in time to keep the plating layer intact and shiny.