Finishing
Metallic plating for 3D printed parts
Builds a thin metal shell on the part. Printed plastic must be made conductive before electroplating.
- Unchanged
- Core material and geometry apart from a thin shell
- Strength
- Thin shell adds some stiffness
Finish profile
Properties added
- Surface finishReflects the base surface; smooth first
- StrengthThin shell adds some stiffness
- Water resistanceMetal barrier
- Chemical resistanceDepends on the top metal
- Wear / abrasionHard metal surface
- Colour / lookChrome, nickel, copper and others
- Electrical conductivityConductive surface
Trade-offs
- Dimensional changeThin layers
- Lead-time impactMulti-stage process
Typical values on a 0 to 4 scale.
Suitable materials
- ABS (plating grade)Suitable
- SLA resinAfter surface prep
- SLS nylonAfter surface prep
- PLA, PETGConfirm with us
Metallic plating specification
| Process | Make the surface conductive, then electroplate in stages |
|---|---|
| Prep | Layer lines show through, so smooth first |
| Finish | Bright, satin or matte metal |
| Route | Quoted per part |
Metallic plating FAQ
How is plastic electroplated?
The surface is first made conductive, then metal is built up in stages, typically copper, nickel and a top layer.
Will plating hide layer lines?
Plating follows the surface, so smooth the part first for a bright finish.
Which plastics can be plated?
Plating-grade ABS is the easiest. Other materials need surface preparation; ask us first.
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Related guides
Process pages: FDM 3D printing, SLA 3D printing, SLS 3D printing. Material data: 3D printing materials.
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