Brass Electroplating

Brass electroplating deposits a thin brass layer onto a base material to provide warm decorative appearance with moderate corrosion protection at low coating thickness.

Overview

Brass electroplating applies a thin, adherent brass layer onto a conductive substrate such as steel, zinc die cast, copper, or prepared plastics. It delivers a warm, gold-like appearance with controllable color tone (yellow to reddish) and moderate corrosion resistance, often used with a nickel underplate for durability. Coating thickness is typically 5–25 µm, so it preserves fine details, threads, and tight fits.

Use brass electroplating when cosmetic appearance drives the design but you still need reasonable wear resistance and conductivity. It suits small to medium parts, from hardware to electrical components, in low to very high volumes. Tradeoffs: surface prep is critical, plating may be non-uniform in recesses and sharp corners, and the finish can tarnish without clear coats or sealers. It is not a substitute for hard-wearing functional coatings in abrasive or highly corrosive environments unless combined with additional layers.

Common Materials

  • Low-carbon steel
  • Stainless steel 304
  • Zinc die casting
  • Copper
  • Brass
  • ABS plastic (metalized)

Tolerances

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Applications

  • Architectural door hardware and handles
  • Plumbing fixtures and trim rings
  • Electrical connectors and terminals
  • Musical instrument components and fittings
  • Consumer electronics bezels and knobs
  • Decorative fasteners and bracketry

When to Choose Brass Electroplating

Choose brass electroplating when you need a warm brass appearance with a thin metallic coating that preserves threads, fine details, and tight dimensional fits. It suits decorative or lightly loaded contact surfaces where moderate corrosion resistance is acceptable, often in high-volume hardware, consumer, or electrical parts. It works best on conductive materials that can be thoroughly cleaned and fixtured for consistent coverage.

vs Anodizing

Pick brass electroplating instead of anodizing when the substrate is not aluminum or titanium, or when you specifically want a metallic brass look rather than a dyed oxide layer. Brass electroplating maintains electrical conductivity and can be applied to steel, zinc die cast, and prepared plastics, which anodizing cannot handle.

vs Powder Coating

Choose brass electroplating over powder coating when you need a true metallic brass appearance and minimal impact on part dimensions. The thin plated layer keeps threads, snap fits, and fine text crisp, while powder coating’s thicker film can fill details and change fits.

vs E-Coating

Select brass electroplating instead of e-coating when cosmetic metallic finish and controlled brass color tone matter more than uniform paint-like coverage. Electroplating is better for premium, jewelry-like hardware or visible trim, whereas e-coating is primarily a protective paint film with a more utilitarian look.

vs Chromium Electroplating

Use brass electroplating instead of chromium electroplating when you want a warm, gold-brass tone rather than a bright blue-white chrome appearance. Brass plating is often preferred for architectural hardware and decorative components where visual warmth and design aesthetics outweigh maximum hardness and abrasion resistance.

vs Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

Choose brass electroplating over PVD when you want a lower-cost brass-colored metallic finish on high volumes and can accept lower wear resistance. Electroplating can coat complex geometries and recessed areas more uniformly than many PVD setups, which are more line-of-sight and typically justified for premium, high-durability applications.

Design Considerations

  • Specify base material, required underplates (e.g., copper, nickel), and target brass thickness range so shops can design the correct process stack-up
  • Call out cosmetic requirements clearly: visible surfaces, acceptable defects, gloss level, and whether a clear lacquer or topcoat is required to reduce tarnish
  • Avoid very deep blind holes, sharp corners, and knife edges where plating will be thin or burnt; add small radii and reduce aspect ratios where possible
  • Provide robust fixturing or racking surfaces away from cosmetic areas to allow good electrical contact without leaving visible marks
  • Define which threads, bores, and functional interfaces must be masked to prevent fit issues or electrical isolation from unintended plating
  • For high-strength steels, specify hydrogen embrittlement relief baking requirements after plating, including hardness threshold, bake temperature, and time