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Brush plating, or selective plating, is
a technology that has been around for over 40 years. Prairie
Hydraulic Equipment Ltd. has adopted this technology to provide a
cost-effective method of repairing damaged areas of metals. What is Brush Plating? Brush plating was invented in 1938 by French scientists and has been in North America since 1959. It is a simple method of resurfacing, or repairing damaged or mismatched ID, OD, housings, or other important metal surfaces. It uses electrical and chemical reactions to bond two types of metal together, using the certified SIFCO process. There are six main purposes for brush plating: 1. Salvage 2. Surface enhancement 3. Repair 4. Dimensional Restoration 5. Defect Repair 6. Corrosion Protection In the past damaged or mismachined surfaces would have to be disassembled and either replaced or resurfaced either by chroming or welding. These methods were time-consuming, and often costly. Brush plating is a simple alternative, which can make the new surface harder, and more resistant to wear damage. We have a wide range of pure metals and metal alloys that can be used to resurface damaged areas. The Process The process is simple; it uses electrical currents to bond two metals together so they become as one. In its simplest form, the brush plating process is much like a painting operation. The operator soaks the plating tool in the plating solution and the plating solution is delivered to the work area by an absorbent cover wrapped around the anode of the plating tool. The deposit is applied by plating tool against the work area. The process consists of eight easy steps: 1. The operator determines what is the make up of the base material 2. Dimensions and calculations are made of the damaged area for correct solution and amp hour specifications 3. The surface is masked off using aluminum and vinyl tape 4. Surface is connected to the DC circuit 5. The surface is cleaned and prepared in a basic 3-step process 6. The metal solution is applied on a continuous basis until the amp hour (previously calculated) is reached 7. Surface is cleaned and polished 8. The plated item is ready for surface once again Where can it be done, and to what?
Because this process is quick and few
tools are needed, brush plating can be performed right on site
without costly and time-consuming disassembly. This ease of
repair is 30 to 60 times faster than conventional tank plating and
often improves the surface of the tool. Many different
surfaces can be done including ID or OD surfaces, simple localized
contours or even flat surfaces. Almost any surface that
conducts electricity can be plated, from aluminum to zinc, including
hard-to-repair metals such as cast iron. Even small internal
diameters can be done with much ease.
Almost any company who uses any type
of equipment, which requires it to be a specified shape, size and
strength, will find brush plating helpful and cost effective.
Companies in industries such as; aerospace, general maintenance,
public utilities, transportation, electronics, electric motors and
pulp and paper will all have a need for it. Why not? Brush plating is
cost-effective and time-saving. Surfaces can be resurfaced to
perfection, and made even better than original. Hardness can
be increased for wear resistance. When Prairie Hydraulic
Equipment Ltd. president Merv Farmer was asked as to why PHE has
begun plating, he said, "We saw its usefulness, practicality, and
need in the industry." |
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403-279-2070 |
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©2004 Prairie Hydraulic Equipment Ltd. |
