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Other Metal Finishing Services

Wide Range of Other Coatings to Meet Your Needs

Cook-Leitch, Inc., based in Cleveland, Ohio supports customers throughout North America with a variety of other coatings and metal finishes. It is our objective to be a full-service coating & metal finishing solution provider for our customer’s tooling, molds, dies, fixtures, as well as offering plating solution for your metal (i.e. stampings, machined parts, castings, fasteners, etc.) and plastic (chrome on plastic) components.

Below is a summary of our variety of coatings, metal finishing and plating services:

Anodizing of Aluminum

  • Aluminum alloys are Anodized to improve corrosion resistance and enhance the aesthetic appearance.
  • Anodizing is an electrolytic process in which that aluminum part becomes the anode.
  • Anodizing films can be added to create a variety of (dye) colors.
  • The most common Anodizing specification is MIL-A-8625 Type II, Class 1 & 2, or Type IIB (a thinner coating).
  • Standard Anodizing Thickness: Type II Anodizing can see a coating variance ranging from 0.0002” to 0.0014”. However, the typical range for Type II, Class 1 (Undyed) is 0.0004” – 0.0006” and Type II, Class 2 (Dyed) is .0007” to .0012” thick.
  • In addition, we offer Aluminum Hard Anodizing—which is referred to as Type III. This is a thicker, more dense coating with excellent abrasion, corrosion resistance, and increased hardness properties.
  • Our Anodizing’ partner is capable of processing large aluminum components with our tank capacity size of 10 ft. x 8 ft. x 7 ft.
  • Hard Coat Anodizing Thickness: Typically, .002” +/- .0004”.

A variety of Dye Colors:

Dye Colors

Black Oxide

  • Black Oxide is a conversion coating used on ferrous metals to add mild corrosion resistance, an enhanced aesthetic appearance, and often times to minimize light reflection.
  • Most common specification is AMS 2485.
  • Excellent coating for sheet metal fabrications, fixtures, stampings, and machined components.
  • Very thin coating with increased salt spray protection (approximately 120 Hrs. with oil topcoat).
  • Added lubricity with oil coating.
  • Excellent pre-coat prior to powder coating or painting.

Bright Dipping of Brass

  • Bright Dipping of Brass is a chemical conversion coating process used to remove oxides from the surface of copper and brass. This process results in a bright, shiny aesthetic finish.

Electopolishing & Passivation of Stainless Steel

  • Electropolishing of Stainless Steel is an electrochemical finishing process which removes a thin layer of the stainless-steel material—thus, removing the top layer of impurities, oxides, etc. The result is a bright, super-clean stainless steel surface finish.
  • The electropolishing process is often considered a reverse electroplating process since it removes material (not adding material).
  • In addition, the electropolishing process will often be effective at reducing burrs, enhance sharp edges/corners, etc.
  • The Passivation of Stainless Steel is a non-electrolytic submersion of a stainless-steel component into a mild oxidant such as nitric acid which results in a Chromium Oxide layer on the surface. In other words, the ratio of Chromium to Iron particles on the surface is increased.
  • Passivation removes free iron from the surface which enhances the corrosion resistance properties of the stainless-steel surface.

Chrome Plating on Plastic (Plateable Grade ABS)

Cook-Leitch Inc. has vast experience with chrome plating of injection molded plastics. Since 1991, we have worked with injection molders who specialize in molding plastic parts for Chrome Plating. We have serviced the automotive (interior and exterior), appliance, plumbing, and other industries.

Precious Metal Plating

Copper

  • Most common specification is ASTM B734-97 and ASTM 2418 (Type 1 and 2)
  • Copper plating has high electrical conductivity (only exceeded by Silver)
  • Also, Copper plating is very malleable, and it is extremely corrosion resistant.

Gold

  • Most common specification is B488. However, we also meet MIL-G-45204C for the U.S. Department of Defense.
  • Gold plating is typically used in electrical connector applications. Nickel is the preferred base (or undercoat) for Gold plating.
  • Our Gold plating is highly solderable.

Nickel

  • Common specification is ASTM B689
  • Sulfate and Sulfamate Nickel baths are commonly used.
    • Sulfate Nickel process offers bright finish, is more economical, and is optimal when reduced thickness is required.
    • Sulfamate Nickel process requires higher bath maintenance yet has superior strength & adhesion.
  • Electroplating Nickel is often a base plating prior to applying Gold or Silver.

Platinum

  • Electroplating of Platinum is excellent in a high heat environment (up to 3,224 F degrees)
  • Excellent conductivity and absorbs hydrogen.
  • Platinum will not tarnish.

Silver

  • Most common specification is B700
  • Silver plating is a very durable, cost-effective plating solution.
  • Electrical Contacts, Pins, Buss Bars, Bearing Surfaces, etc. are Silver plated.
  • Silver has excellent lubricity.
  • Silver plating can be offered in Bright, Semi-Bright and Matte finishes.

Tin

  • Most common specification is ASTM B454 and MIL-T-10727
  • Bright and Matte finishes.
  • We offer a bright electro-Tin plating—very smooth, excellent ductility, and very good soldering properties.
  • Electrical Contacts, Pins, Buss Bars, Bearing Surfaces, Hardware, Terminals, etc. are Nickel plated.

Other Metal Finishing and Services Provided by Cook-Leitch Inc. Include:

  • Glass Bead Blasting
  • Laser Etching
  • Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Coatings
  • Vibratory Deburring