Chris Capalbo, Author at New Method Plating Company, Inc

Cadmium vs. Zinc Plating: What You Need To Know

March 3, 2023 10:16 am Comments Off

Metal plating is a technique in which a metal layer is electrochemically deposited onto the surface of the substrate (base material). This method is utilized in various sectors to enhance materials’ durability, aesthetics, and corrosion resistance.

Cadmium and zinc are two of the most popular metals used for plating, and each has distinct benefits that make them suited for particular applications. This article will explain cadmium and zinc plating, including their advantages and particular applications.

Cadmium vs. Zinc Plating: How Do They Work?

Cadmium plating is an electroplating process that involves depositing a thin layer of cadmium onto a metal surface. Depending on the object being plated, it can be performed in various techniques, such as a barrel, rack, and continuous plating. In addition, it is frequently employed in aeronautical and military applications.

On the other hand, zinc plating is also an electroplating process utilizing a thin layer of zinc. It can also be performed using a barrel, rack, and continuous plating and customized with different types of zinc coatings. These include yellow, black, clear, or olive drab. Furthermore, it is often utilized in the automotive and construction industries.

Typically, both the cadmium and zinc plating procedures consist of the following steps:

Before plating, it is crucial to properly clean the metal surface of any impurities like dirt, grease, rust, and other contaminants. This can be accomplished through degreasing and acid-cleaning procedures.
The metal surface is prepared to receive the plating by activating it with an acidic solution, which enhances its receptivity to the plating material.
A direct current is applied to the metal object while it is submerged in an electrolytic bath containing a salt solution. This causes ions to be attracted to the metal surface, where they are deposited as a thin coating.
Once the plating is complete, the object is rinsed to eliminate any remaining reagent. It may also be subjected to additional processes, such as chromate conversion or baking, to improve its adhesion and resistance to corrosion.

Benefits of Cadmium Plating

Due to its unique features, cadmium plating is a versatile procedure widely employed in various sectors. It specifically provides the following advantages:

Excellent Corrosion Resistance

Cadmium plating is widely known for its exceptional corrosion resistance, especially in harsh conditions. The distinctive chemical characteristics of cadmium make it exceptionally resistant to rust, oxidation, and other types of corrosion.

High Conductivity

Cadmium is a highly conductive, low-resistance metal that facilitates the optimal flow of electricity. This makes cadmium plating an excellent option for electrical applications requiring high conductivity, including couplings, ports, and other electronic components.

High Ductility

The ductility of cadmium plating enhances its flexibility and deformability without losing its protective qualities. This feature allows it to be used for aerospace and military applications in which the object is subjected to extreme stress or mechanical strain.

Uniform Coating

Cadmium plating provides an extremely uniform coating, ensuring the whole metal surface is evenly coated. This advantage is crucial when the plating is designed to provide a barrier against corrosion and other damage. Additionally, it assures that the end product has a uniform appearance.

Benefits of Zinc Plating

Zinc plating is extensively utilized in various industries due to the following benefits:

Good Corrosion Resistance

The natural tendency of zinc to produce a protective layer on its surface helps to prevent rust and other forms of corrosion. Consequently, zinc plating is recommended for applications not exposed to seawater or other chemicals since it provides better corrosion protection in dry conditions.

Affordability

Because zinc is a relatively inexpensive metal, the plating technique is more cost-effective than other plating methods. Zinc plating also consumes less energy than other processes, decreasing project costs.

Non-Toxicity

Zinc is a non-toxic metal, which makes it preferable to other elements in many applications. Thus, it is commonly employed in the food and beverage industries.

New Method Plating: The Leading Provider of Precision Electroplating!

At New Method Plating, we have vast experience providing cadmium and zinc plating services, assuring our clients of quick turnaround times and exceptional results! We are strongly committed to high standards and pride ourselves in our craftsmanship. These values enable us to give our loyal customers electroplating solutions of the highest caliber.

All You Need To Know About Nadcap Certified for Chemical Processing

February 1, 2023 2:55 pm Comments Off

Any manufacturer certified by the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (Nadcap) can guarantee high industry standards, especially in the aerospace industry. As a result, the company will get increased customer satisfaction, higher-quality products, and reduced prices.

Since 1931, New Method Plating has provided customers with high-quality precision electroplating and metal finishing services. Our Nadcap certification for all our services demonstrates our commitment to quality and dedication to meeting our customers’ needs as quickly as possible. Furthermore, we are an ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified aerospace and defense parts provider.

What Is Nadcap Certified for Chemical Processing?

The Nadcap accreditation is an industry-driven program in which highly qualified industry experts perform operating evaluations using process-specific criteria. It is administered by the Performance Review Institute (PRI), allowing it to establish stringent standards for chemical processing, including metal plating.

The process assessment of Nadcap ensures that all critical component processing, safety checks, and testing are carried out following standard procedures. It also includes recording, storing, and furnishing essential information per specification. This is accomplished by conducting stringent and in-depth audits on parts from receiving requests to final inspection.

What Is the Process of Obtaining Nadcap Certification?

Almost every aerospace prime and their major suppliers all over the globe now require Nadcap accreditation as a prerequisite for doing business. This prompted Nadcap to offer programs for testing labs, non-destructive diagnostics, heat treating, surface coating, chemical processing, and other applications.

To qualify for the Nadcap review, companies must possess a quality system certification — such as the AS9100 — or acceptable equivalents from a recognized third-party advisory committee. Suppliers who do not have the necessary quality system certification can add an extra audit day with the PRI to achieve the AC7004 aerospace quality system audit or the AC7006 laboratory audit.

Once a company officially requests an audit for a Nadcap certificate, it must follow a few steps. First, the audit will be arranged and scheduled, and the company will be assigned an auditor. Next, any non-conformity issues will be brought up, and non-conformance findings and reports will be issued after the audit. The PRI will then close out the non-conformance reports and submit the completed audit package to a task group, which will review it and vote on its approval.

Nadcap task groups are made up of individuals — prime contractors, government representatives, and suppliers — who are considered experts in the product, process, or service for which companies are to be audited. Their responsibilities for the accreditation program include the following:

Implementing the accreditation process
Recommending auditor hiring and training needs
Developing standards and checklists
Creating performance measures, metrics, and quality improvement

Lastly, when all non-conformances have been resolved, accreditation is granted to the company or supplier. The enterprises that have been given the auditing approval will gain new perspectives on their operational processes and a summary list of areas for improvement. Everything from system escapes to field failures is avoided through thorough assessment and methodical change, resulting in reduced part cost and process variability.

What Are the Best Preparation Techniques for a Nadcap Certification?

The Nadcap process assessment is a complex and time-consuming procedure. Often, the most difficult step is knowing where to begin. Here are a few techniques for adequate auditing preparation:

Identifying Key Documents and References

A recommended first step in preparing for an audit is to know which documents to refer to and which requirements to follow throughout the audit. Several websites provide useful information about Nadcap.

PRI gives access to various supplemental materials for reference during the Nadcap audit. These include documents on pre- and post-audit processes, detailed information on response timeframes, how to reduce the frequency of audits, what to do in the event of a failed audit, and other topics.

Consulting With Other Suppliers and Companies

Consultation with other suppliers can aid in exploring best practices for audit preparation. Attending at least one of PRI’s three annual meetings is one opportunity to discuss others’ audit experiences. If you cannot participate in a PRI meeting, you can read the meeting notes, which contain information on the discussions and decisions made on particular issues and guidelines.

Discussing other companies’ Nadcap audit experiences can benefit a company because it provides exposure to different points of view to better understand the process. Furthermore, constructive conversations about best practices and proposed methods contribute to better regulation and ensure consistent adherence to global quality standards.

Scheduling the Nadcap Audit

The official Nadcap audit can be scheduled via the official website following a thorough review of the relevant documents, reference materials, and other auditing notes. It is suggested to know the answers to the following questions:

During the audit, will you run real orders for an aerospace client or sample parts?
Have you identified the accreditation scope for which you wish to be audited?
Do you already have an approved quality system?
Have you allotted enough time to plan for and conduct an internal audit?

Understanding the Internal Audit Procedure

Knowing the specific internal audit requirements is crucial to preparing for the official Nadcap audit. Internal audits include quality system audits (such as AS9001 or AC7004) and live job audits. These include reviewing past surveys, system accuracy tests, leak assessments, maintenance logs, and historical jobs.

What Are the Advantages of Working With a Nadcap-Certified Company?

Obtaining a Nadcap certification is currently a challenge for small businesses. Many suppliers opt not to be accredited, either by declining audits after initial accreditation or by never becoming certified in the first place.

Audits can be costly, and committing to constantly evaluating processes and trying to manage audit tasks throughout the year can be time-consuming. Moreover, it can be a significant financial investment to update processes and procedures and a substantial time dedication for staff training and quality management.

As a result, finding a company that has gone through the process assessment is critical, as the primary goal of Nadcap is to ensure and sustain high-quality, standardized business practices that benefit both the company and its customers.

Here are other advantages that a Nadcap-certified company can provide you with:

Confirmed adherence to best practices
Ensured high-quality processes based on proven methodologies
Guaranteed optimum industry standards
Guaranteed safe chemical processing services
Improved product quality
Increased customer satisfaction
Reduced prices through increased standardization

New Method Plating’s Nadcap Accreditation and AS7108 Certification for Chemical Processing

The Nadcap for chemical processing is the most recent in a series of Nadcap monitoring and assessment designed to standardize auditing and guarantee that suppliers keep up with new technologies and compliances. To become Nadcap-certified, New Method Plating went through a rigorous accreditation process.

Our Nadcap credential for chemical processing certifies that our procedures adhere to industry standards and that our products and services have been thoroughly checked. This includes the following:

Chemical processing
Wet paint coatings
Resistance welding
Measuring
Testing
Calibrating
Documentation

Partner With New Method Plating: A Nadcap-Certified Chemical Processing Company!

New Plating Method is a Nadcap-accredited metal finishing, electroplating, and aerospace parts provider with ISO 9001:2015 AS9100 certifications. We collaborate with customers to develop custom finishing solutions that maximize their products for various conditions and applications.

Contact us today if your company needs high-quality metal finishing services in the aerospace and defense industries. Our team will review your prints, provide price quotes and lead times, and answer any questions you have about our company and capabilities!

Author Archives: Chris Capalbo