Blog About Cheap Palladium Plating

Electroplating Blog: Cheap Palladium Plating

Plating is a popular choice for many metalworking projects, and palladium plating provides a good mix of durability and affordability. However, with the rise in gold and palladium prices, many project owners are now starting to look for alternative options. Fortunately, there is now an alternative to palladium plating that offers significant cost savings without sacrificing performance. In this blog post, we´ll explore the advantages of using a sustainable palladium substitute for electroplating projects.

The Benefits of Palladium Plating

Palladium plating is a popular choice for many metalworking projects because it provides excellent corrosion resistance, cost-effectiveness, electrical conductivity, and wear resistance. Palladium plating can be used on a variety of metals, including steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and zinc. It is also ideal for projects that require a high degree of accuracy, such as medical devices, automotive components, and electrical connectors.

The Downside of Using Palladium

The main downside of using palladium is the cost – it is a relatively expensive metal, and its price has been gradually increasing in recent years due to increased demand. This has made palladium plating a prohibitively expensive option for some projects.

A Sustainable Alternative to Palladium Plating

Fortunately, there is now an alternative to palladium plating that can provide significant cost savings without sacrificing performance. This sustainable palladium substitute is UM-235, a patented Au/Ni/Pd alloy developed by Umicore NV.

How Can UM-235 Substitute For Palladium?

UM-235 is an alloy of gold, nickel, and palladium that has been designed to replicate the characteristics of palladium plating. It is a multi-layered alloy that has been engineered to provide excellent corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity comparable to that of pure palladium. It has also been proven to provide superior wear resistance compared to pure palladium plating.

The Advantages of UM-235

The most significant advantage of UM-235 is the cost savings it offers compared to pure palladium plating. UM-235 costs up to 80% less than pure palladium plating, making it an attractive option for projects where cost is a key factor. It is also much easier to work with than pure palladium plating, and the multi-layered alloy makes it ideal for applications that require higher degrees of accuracy and precision.

The Bottom Line

Palladium plating is still the preferred option for many metalworking projects due to its excellent performance and durability. However, the rising cost of palladium has led many project owners to seek out an alternative that offers similar performance at a lower cost. With UM-235, they can now access the benefits of palladium plating without having to pay the high cost. If you´re looking for an affordable yet reliable electroplating solution, UM-235 is worth considering.