Different lapel pin plating
Generally speaking, most of the lapel pins need to be electroplated. Common electroplating treatments are: gold, silver, red copper, rose gold, nickel, black nickel, antique, etc.
The principle of electroplating
The principle of electroplating metal is that electroplating is the process of plating a thin layer of other metals or alloys on the surface of certain metals using the principle of electrolysis. Process to prevent metal oxidation (such as rust), improve wear resistance, electrical conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance (copper sulfate, etc.). For lapel pins, the electroplating layer can also improve the smoothness of the badge and increase the badge’s hardness to prevent wear while enhancing aesthetics
Commonly used plating colors and characteristics
1,Gold plating
Gold plating is one of the most common platings for enamel pins. Electroplating materials are generally made of 18K gold and 24K gold (real gold electroplating, the price will be relatively expensive), the surface effect treatment has the effect of matte gold and bright gold, gold-plated medals have a strong sense of metal, not easy to oxidize, color Bright, bright and long-lasting.
If your budget is limited, we have alternatives. Compared with real gold, the cost of electroplating imitation gold is also much lower. The color of imitation gold plating is close to real gold. The material of imitation gold is generally alloy. Adding tin metal elements can also be processed into matte gold and bright gold. The cost is relatively lower than real gold, and it can also improve the aesthetics of the product.
2,Silver plating
The silver-plating process is a method of plating a thin layer of silver on the metal surface of the badge through the principle of electrolysis. However, in the current badge process, the silver-plating process has been used very little, mainly because the chemical properties of silver are relatively active. It is easy to change color due to oxidation, and its color is not easy to maintain. In the process of making silver, nickel has been used instead. The color of nickel is basically similar to that of silver. The chemical properties of nickel are stable, and it is also wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant. Now it is generally used to read Nickel to replace silver plating process
3,Plating antique
The commonly used colors of electroplating antique pins are: antique silver, antique gold, antique copper
Advantages: no fading, very good anti-corrosion performance. At the same time, it has strong binding force and penetration force. After the pins are treated with antique, the surface of the product is glossy and not easy to be scratched.
4,Chrome plating
Electroplated chrome has very similar metallic color to electroplated silver/nickel
Chrome has high hardness, good heat resistance and wear resistance, and good reflective ability. Chrome is a silver-white or sky blue metal. Chrome-plated enamel pins have excellent performance and are widely used in the production of enamel pins. Used as a decoration for protection.
Chromium can be stored for a long time without discoloration, and it is still very stable in a variety of chemical substances and corrosive media. As a material for making badges, its preservation ability and use time are better than nickel and silver. Chrome plating is also more widely used, and auto parts, hardware accessories, etc. are all using this process.
Plating Nickel
Nickel plating is a common electroplating process in pin badgs making and is one of the most commonly used metal colors. Nickel plating is a method of applying a layer of nickel to a metal or non-metal by electrolytic or chemical methods. Nickel plating is divided into electroplating nickel plating and electroless nickel plating. Different nickel electroplating methods can be used for badge production according to different processes. Generally, silver badges are mostly nickel-plated, and less silver-plated. Because the effect of nickel plating is very close to that of silver plating, nickel plating is generally called silver plating in the industry. The appearance of the nickel-plated badge is very similar to the appearance of the silver-plated badge, both of which are bright silver.
However, the characteristics of nickel are relatively stable, and the color after electroplating can be relatively stable, while silver is more active than nickel, and it is easy to oxidize and turn gray and black
Regarding Different lapel pin plating, if you still don’t know how to choose the plating color you like. Feel free to contact us anytime
