We offer a diverse and tailored range of services for high-quality technical surface finishing, precisely aligned with your individual needs and requirements.
What is Galvanic Technology?
Galvanic technology, also known as electroplating, is a process for the electrochemical deposition of metallic coatings onto substrates such as steel. This process allows for the application of various metallic layers onto components to specifically enhance their properties.
We distinguish between functional and decorative coatings.
Functional Surface Coating
The functional surface coating primarily serves to protect against corrosion, wear, and to improve electrical conductivity. These processes help extend the lifespan of components and ensure their functionality under extreme conditions.
For functional coatings, we offer the following processes:
Zinc (Rack and Barrel Goods)
Zinc-Nickel (Rack and Barrel Goods)
Zinc-Iron (Rack Goods)
Decorative Surface Coating
The primary purpose of decorative surface coating is to enhance the appearance of objects, while also meeting certain technical minimum requirements.
For decorative coatings, we offer the following processes as rack goods:
Contact Persons
Galvanic zinc plating is the most commonly used process for galvanic surface treatment. Its main advantage lies in effectively protecting steel parts against corrosive influences, while maintaining economic efficiency. Zinc layers with subsequent yellow, thin or thick layer passivation and optional sealing are applied in our state-of-the-art facilities for both barrel and rack goods.
Zinc Coating
Acidic and alkaline zinc processes
Rack and barrel systems
All variants are chrome(VI)-free
Passivation Options
Thin layer passivation (Blue)
Thick layer passivation (Transparent/Iridescent)
Yellow passivation
Optional Post-Treatments
Sealing / TopCoat
Oil emulsion
Zinc Thin-Film Passivation
Zinc Thick-Film Passivation
Zinc Yellow Passivation
Rack Goods (RG)
Barrel Goods (BG)
Trommel L:1200mm D:800mm
High Corrosion Protection
High Adhesion Strength
Acidic and Alkaline Processes
All Variants Are Chromium(VI)-Free
Attractive Appearance
Cost-Effective Process
White Rust 72-240h SST (RG)
White Rust 48-120h SST (BG)
(DIN EN ISO 9227)
Red Rust 144-480h SST (RG)
Red Rust 144-264h SST (BG)
(DIN EN ISO 9227)
The zinc-nickel coating meets the increasing demands for corrosion protection, temperature resistance, and the reduction of contact corrosion in comparison to aluminum connections. Its areas of application include wind energy and vehicle construction, particularly in the chassis and steering systems, where materials are exposed to high stress. Other areas of application include thermally highly stressed installation situations, such as in engine and braking systems. This process is offered in our state-of-the-art facilities for both rack goods and barrel goods.
Zinc-Nickel Coating
Alkaline zinc-nickel process
Rack and barrel systems
All variants are chrome(VI)-free
Passivation Options
Thick layer passivation (Transparent/Iridescent)
Black passivation
Optional Post-Treatments
Sealing / TopCoat
Oil emulsion
Zinc-Nickel Thick-Film Passivation
Zinc-Nickel Black Passivation
Rack Goods (RG)
Barrel Goods (BG)
Trommel L:1200mm D:800mm
High Corrosion Protection
High Adhesion Strength
Temperature Resistant up to 200°C
No Contact Corrosion with Al
Advantageous for High-Strength Steels
All Variants Are Chromium(VI)-Free
Attractive Appearance
White Rust 240-360h SST (RG)
White Rust 168-240h SST (BG)
(DIN EN ISO 9227)
Red Rust 720h SST (RG)
Red Rust 720h SST (BG)
(DIN EN ISO 9227)
The zinc-iron process offers significantly increased corrosion protection through the addition of the alloying element iron. The coating is typically applied to steel and iron materials and is deposited from alkaline electrolytes. Typical areas of application for zinc-iron alloys include the automotive industry, construction industry, and agriculture. In our fully automated facilities, this process is applied as rack goods.
Zinc-Iron Coating
Alkaline zinc-iron process
Rack system
All variants are chrome(VI)-free
Passivation Options
Thick layer passivation (Transparent/Iridescent)
Black passivation
Optional Post-Treatment
Sealing / TopCoat
Oil emulsion
Zinc-Iron Thick-Film Passivation
Zinc-Iron Black Passivation
Rack Goods
High Corrosion Protection
High Adhesion Strength
Temperature Resistant up to 120°C
All Variants Are Chromium(VI)-Free
Attractive Appearance
Cost-Effective Process
White Rust 240-360h SST
(DIN EN ISO 9227)
Red Rust 500-672h SST
(DIN EN ISO 9227)
Chrome
In addition to nickel plating, we also offer chrome plating as a high-quality topcoat. This is used in both functional and decorative applications. Typical areas of use include the bathroom and furniture industries.
Chrome is characterized by its silver-gloss appearance and can be applied to materials such as steel, brass, copper, and bronze. The surface consists of a very thin chrome layer of 0.2–0.5 µm, which is used exclusively as a topcoat in a multi-layer system. The gloss of the chrome layer is largely determined by the underlying nickel layer. A clean and smooth surface of the base material can also contribute to the glossy appearance.
To prepare components for high-quality chrome plating, they are processed in our in-house grinding shop through grinding and polishing. This allows us to refurbish even heavily used classic car parts and give them new life.
Rack Goods
Attractive Appearance
High Wear Resistance
Low Friction Coefficients
Resistant to Aggressive Media
Decorative and Functional
Bright Chrome Plating
(Technical)
High Gloss Chrome Plating
(Polished)
Nickel
Nickel
Galvanic nickel plating of workpieces made of brass and steel provides not only effective corrosion protection but also excellent wear resistance. Nickel has a silvery bright color with a characteristic slight yellowish tint, which distinguishes it from chrome surfaces.
Nickel coatings are used in both decorative and technical applications. Due to their excellent corrosion protection properties as well as their decorative and functional quality, nickel coatings can be applied as a single layer or in a multi-layer system. A thin chrome topcoat is often added to improve both the protective effect and appearance. In a double-layer system, nickel offers even higher corrosion protection. For additional protection requirements, we use our semi-gloss nickel process.
Suitable materials include, among others, steel, brass, copper, and bronze.
Rack Goods
Max. 4000x1100x800mm
Attractive Appearance
High Corrosion Protection
High Wear Resistance
Electrical Conductivity
Solderability
Resistant to Aggressive Media
Decorative and Functional
High Glass Nickel
Semi-Gloss Nickel
Brushed Nickel
Double Nickel Process
Copper
Copper
Copper is commonly used as a base layer in corrosion protection systems. This process typically serves as a foundation or barrier layer for nickel and chrome coatings. Copper-plated surfaces offer excellent corrosion properties and enhance both thermal and electrical conductivity.
Galvanic copper surfaces are characterized by their high ductility (the material's ability to deform under stress) and adhesion strength. They are used for both decorative and functional purposes.
Suitable materials include, among others, steel, brass, and bronze.
Rack Goods
Attractive Appearance
High Corrosion Protection
Electrical Conductivity
High Ductility and Adhesion Strength
Customizable Coating Thickness
Decorative and Functional
Copper in Multi-Layer System
Old Copper
Bright Copper
Tin
Tin
As with all galvanic coatings, we also offer tin plating via the immersion process. This coating is available for rack goods.
Tin surfaces are characterized by a silver, glossy appearance and possess a soft structure. Tin-plated surfaces are primarily used in the food industry and, due to their excellent electrical conductivity, in the electronics industry. Even with a thin coating, they provide good corrosion protection. Tin-plated materials can be easily soldered after coating. However, they are not resistant to strong alkalis and acids.
Suitable materials include, among others, steel, brass, copper, and bronze.
Rack Goods
Attractive Appearance
High Corrosion Protection
Electrical Conductivity
Solderability
Food Grade
Decorative and Functional
Tin
Nickel-Tin
For electrolytic coating of stainless steel, a special nickel bath is used, often referred to as "Nickel-Strike" or "Strike Nickel".
Coatings made from a Nickel-Strike electrolyte serve as an ideal bonding layer on difficult substrates such as stainless steel and already nickel-plated parts. Due to the high activity in the electrolyte, even strong passive layers are broken through, resulting in a firm bonding layer. These coatings provide the optimal base for further galvanic coatings, such as bright nickel or chrome plating.
The high-quality stainless steel is further enhanced through chrome plating. In addition to the shiny appearance, the chrome layer additionally protects the base material against corrosion and reduces the sensitivity of the stainless steel surface to scratches and mechanical stress.
Due to the relatively thin deposited layer thickness of only 0.5 – 1 µm, even glossy parts are hardly affected and can continue to be worked on with glossy layers – without losing significant brilliance. Nickel-Strike electrolyte coatings are ferromagnetic, similar to iron materials.
Advantages of Nickel-Strike Coating
Very good adhesion: Ideal for difficult substrates, especially stainless steel
Thin layer thickness: Beneficial for sensitive surfaces
High wear protection
Optimal base layer: Nickel-Strike is an excellent foundation for further galvanic coatings such as bright nickel or chrome plating
Purity grade: 99.9% Nickel
RoHS compliant
Suitable for outdoor use
Our Team
Address: Berliner Straße 60, 27232 Sulingen
Email: info@p-comte.de
Phone: +49 (0) 4271 9389 0
Galvanotechnik Sulingen
Galvanotechnik Sulingen
Why Surface Technology is Essential
