Anodising and Metal Plating

Anodising & Metal Plating

At Alini Metals & Plastics, we offer a wide range of advanced metal plating and surface treatments tailored to enhance durability, appearance, and performance for a variety of industries. Whether you need plating for industrial components, architectural metalwork, or decorative consumer products, our precision techniques deliver outstanding results.

Anodising Treatments

Anodising is a powerful process designed to improve corrosion and wear resistance while enhancing the surface for better adhesion of paint primers and glues. This method is particularly popular for protecting aluminium alloys and is known for its ability to provide vibrant cosmetic effects when dyes are absorbed into the porous coatings. Anodising doesn’t just change the surface texture—it also alters the crystal structure near the surface of the metal, resulting in increased hardness and durability.

Our anodising services offer a broad spectrum of colour choices, including clear, black, gold, blue, red, and green. Whether you’re seeking protection or an eye-catching aesthetic, anodised coatings are ideal for architectural finishes, decorative elements, and even industrial components where performance matters most.

Hard anodising is also available for high-wear applications, providing exceptional durability.

Electroplating Services

Electroplating is a versatile process used to apply a thin layer of material like copper, nickel, or chrome to a surface, enhancing properties such as corrosion resistance, wear protection, and even visual appeal. Whether it’s for industrial components, automotive parts, or luxury goods, electroplating helps achieve the performance and look you need.

This process works by immersing both the part to be plated and the metal to be applied into an electrolyte solution. Using electrical currents, metal ions from the anode are transferred onto the cathode (the part being plated), building up a strong and even layer. We offer finishes in acid copper, bright nickel, chrome, and a variety of zinc finishes like clear, coloured, black, drab olive, and zinc-nickel, making our services suitable for a wide range of products from heavy-duty machinery to decorative pieces.

Conversion Coating

Conversion coating is a chemical treatment that enhances the corrosion resistance of metals and improves the adhesion of subsequent coatings like paint. At Alini Metals & Plastics, we specialise in Iridite TCP, a non-toxic alternative to traditional chromate conversion coatings. This method offers excellent protection while adhering to environmentally friendly standards, making it a popular choice for aerospace, automotive, and architectural applications.

Gold, Silver & Platinum Plating

Our precious metal plating services include gold, silver, and platinum plating, each offering unique benefits for both decorative and functional purposes. Gold plating is renowned for its brilliant shine and excellent conductivity, making it ideal for electrical contacts and high-end jewellery alike. Silver plating, while slightly less expensive, provides excellent corrosion resistance and is used in both industrial components and tableware. Platinum plating offers unmatched durability and tarnish resistance, perfect for luxury items and critical industrial uses.

Rose Gold & Green Gold Plating

For a more unique aesthetic, we offer rose gold and green gold plating, popular in the jewellery and high-end consumer goods sectors. Rose gold is loved for its warm, pinkish tone, often used in fashion accessories and interior design accents. Green gold, with its subtle greenish hue, offers a fresh alternative to traditional gold finishes, making it a favourite for those looking to stand out.

Chrome & Black Chrome Plating

Chrome plating is famous for its bright, reflective finish and exceptional hardness, making it a common choice for automotive parts, industrial machinery, and even bathroom fittings. It not only enhances the look but provides excellent protection against wear and corrosion. For a sleek, modern twist, black chrome plating is also available, giving surfaces a distinctive, smoky or matte-black appearance, perfect for contemporary architectural elements or high-tech products.

Smoky Chrome & Custom Finishes

Our smoky chrome finish provides a softer, more muted version of traditional chrome, with a stylish, almost metallic-grey hue. It’s perfect for products or designs that demand a subtler, more understated look while retaining the durability and protection chrome offers. This finish is a favourite for modern interiors and high-end automotive detailing.

Copper Plating

Copper plating is a versatile and widely used process that offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. At Alini Metals & Plastics, we provide a range of plated copper finishes from our bright polished look to a matte non-reflective finish. Whether you need a highly reflective, decorative surface or a matte, industrial finish, copper plating can be tailored to suit a wide variety of applications.

The copper plating process involves immersing the part to be coated in an electrolyte bath containing copper ions. When an electrical current is applied, the copper ions in the solution are drawn to the surface of the material, forming a thin, even layer. This method ensures a smooth and uniform coating, which can be built up to achieve varying levels of thickness depending on your specific needs. Copper plating is not only visually striking, but it also provides excellent conductivity, making it ideal for electrical components, as well as decorative items.

Copper can be plated onto a variety of metals, including Steel, Brass, Aluminium, and even certain plastics, as long as they are prepared with the right conductive coating. The process is popular across a wide range of industries, from electronics and automotive manufacturing to architecture and interior design. Whether it’s for creating architectural accents, or high-conductivity parts for industrial use, our copper plating services ensure a high-quality, durable finish that meets the demands of both form and function.