Electroplating mechanical properties

Electroplating—the process of electrodeposition onto a metallic substrate of a thin adherent layer of a metal or alloy having desirable chemical, physical and/or mechanical properties. 

Polysulfone Good transparency, high mechanical properties, heat resistance, electrical properties at high temperature, can be electroplated Injection molding... 

Copper is rapidly emerging as the interconnect metal of choice for the next generation of sub-0.25pm devices. It has superior mechanical properties, lower resistivity and higher electromigration resistance when compared to aluminum. Electrochemical deposition (electroless/electroplating) of copper is a versatile, inexpensive and reliable way of filling... 

Silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivities of any metal and is resistant to corrosion. Pure silver is used on contacts in the form of an electroplated film. It is used in a variety of light- and medium-duty applications in telephone relays, sliding contacts, thermostats and voltage regulators. When alloyed with copper, the electrical conductivity is lowered and the hardness and mechanical properties are increased. 

Industrial treatments are made to materials surfaces for various reasons. One is to improve the appearance of a finished product to attract potential buyers. Other purposes for surface treatments are to improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance, mechanical properties, electrical properties, etc. Surface finishing processes include electroplating, electroless plating, painting, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and more. 

An important category of the surface finishing industry is plating. This includes the process of electroplating which provides metals with surface coatings (usually by electrodeposition) for corrosion protection, wear resistance, improved electrical and mechanical properties, etc. Ferrous and non-ferrous materials can be electroplated with copper, nickel, chromium, zinc, lead, cadmium, etc. They can also be electroplated with precious metals such as gold and silver. 

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