Frequently Asked Questions
What can we expect for a turnaround time on our part?
Dav-Tech typically turns parts around in 3-5 days, and we offer 24-hour service if your project has tighter timelines.
Does masking delay your service time?
It depends on the complexity of the job. In many cases, we can still turn your project around in 3-5 days.
We have a weldment that dimensionally is outside the parameters of your current capabilities. Would you consider some other way of servicing us for finishing?
Yes, our in-house manufacturing team has the ability to design, construct and have ready to operate plating lines for those special types of finishing requirements that come along once or twice yearly and do not fit in our normal processing line.
Do you handle smaller parts with high volume?
Yes, Dav-Tech has some production programs that require us to process and ship over 20,000 pc’s per day of certain plated and anodized parts.
Does Dav-Tech have the technical expertise to offer heavy deposits of electroless nickel?
Yes, we have had certain situations where we’ve had to deposit over .010” of pit-free EN to assist a customer attempting to salvage a part that has been mis-machined.
Does Dav-Tech Plating have the engineering capability to satisfy those technically sensitive requirements?
Yes we have a staff with a combined 150 years of experience looking at customer needs and requirements. We evaluate the goals of the customer and then work to match those goals with the most effective and price-sensitive method of finishing.
When working with aluminum when do I choose between electroless nickel and hardcoat anodizing?
First, consider the function of the part. Does the configuration lend itself more towards one finish than the other due to the number of blind holes, deep bores or other considerations? How does pricing figure into the final decision? All these questions and others must be reviewed and decided in order to determine what will ultimately be in the customer’s best interest.
How is Hardcoat different from conventional Anodize?
Hardcoat film is much thicker and denser than conventional Anodic coatings. These properties give the coating far greater wear resistance.
What is the standard Hardcoat thickness?
The Military Spec dictates .002 as standard, but thicknesses from about .0005″ to .004″ may be specified. The higher thicknesses may not be achievable on certain Alloys
How closely can Hardcoat tolerances be held?
Typically plus or minus 20% of the nominal thickness, but with repeat jobs of controlled alloy, temper and surface finish, we can achieve closer tolerances.
What is Electroless Nickel (EN)?
Electroless Nickel is an Alloy of nickel and phosphorus which is harder and more corrosion resistant than nickel alone. It is produced chemically (autocatalytically), without the use of an external power supply as in conventional Electroplating.
Does EN build up on edges?
No! The beauty of EN is that it deposits uniformly over the entire surface of the part. Wherever the solution contacts the part, EN will deposit uniformly. This allows for uniform and exact deposit thickness over the entire surface of the part.
What is Anodize?
Anodize is an oxide film, usually formed on aluminum, in an electrolytic process. Current is passed between the cathode and the anode (work piece), through an electrolytic solution resulting in the formation of a porous oxide film on the work piece.
Is Anodize conductive or nonconductive?
It is considered a non-conductor when dry and is a limited conductor when wet, depending on the nature of the liquid being used.
How can Anodize dimensions be controlled when tolerances are tight?
This can be accomplished by a combination of methods all of which should be worked out between the manufacturer and the Anodizer before production begins. The methods can range from simply choosing a very thin anodic film (if allowed), to a combination of controls in manufacturing, chemical preparation at the Anodizing shop, and anodic coating thickness control. As long as both the manufacturer and the Anodizer are aware of what each is doing, acceptable parts will be produced. For general reference, the dimensional build-up per side of a conventional anodize is about 1/3 of the coating thickness per side. So if a .0006″ is applied, a dimensional change of .0004″can be expected.
What is chromate coating?
Chromate coating, Alodine, and Chem film all refer to a thin film formed chemically on metals, which contain tiny amounts of chrome compounds that act as corrosion inhibitors. In addition to having good corrosion resistance, they are very good bases for paints or other organic coatings, and for abrasive bonding.
What specification can we use to call out for chromating?
MIL-C-5541 is the most frequently used. It has only two (2) classes Class 1A and Class3. Class 1A covers the heavier coating weights and these are usually pale to dark yellow, or yellow to light brown. Class 3 is for low electrical resistance, and would be lighter yellows or clear. These have slightly lower coating weights. Aerospace Materials Specifications can also be used, AMS 2473 is roughly equivalent to Class 1A and AMS 2474 is roughly equivalent to Class 3.
When chromating, are dimensions affected?
Generally, no, but in some cases, the amount of metal removal in a preparation cycle might need to be taken into account.