Plating & metallizing · finish comparison
Chrome Plating on Plastic vs Electroless Plating on Plastic
Chrome Plating on Plastic and Electroless Plating on Plastic are both plating & metallizing on plastics finishes; plastic chrome resists corrosion better.
Chrome Plating on Plastic
Plating & metallizing on plastics · $$$$ · instant quote
Plastic chrome is a Cu-Ni-Cr decorative plating stack on plating-grade ABS or PC-ABS.
Electroless Plating on Plastic
Plating & metallizing on plastics · $$$$ · instant quote
Electroless plating deposits nickel or copper uniformly on catalytically activated plastics and sealed 3D prints without external current.
When to choose which
Choose Plastic chrome
Choose Plastic chrome when a complete decorative Cu-Ni-Cr stack is required.
- True Cu-Ni-Cr metallic appearance
- 20–50 µm durable stack
- Better handling durability than evaporated metal
Choose Electroless plastic
Choose Electroless plastic when conductivity rather than chrome appearance is primary.
- Uniform 5–15 µm coverage
- Coats complex wetted geometry
- Makes plastic conductive
What the numbers say
- Plastic chrome resists corrosion better.
- Plastic chrome is the harder surface (700–1,000 HV vs 80–150 HV).
- Electroless plastic is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- Electroless plastic is the thinner coating (5–15 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Plastic chrome | Electroless plastic |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 72 Very good | 58 Good |
| Surface hardness / wear | 71 Very good | 39 Fair |
| Cosmetic quality | 98 Excellent | 60 Good |
| Lubricity | 42 Fair | 30 Low |
| Cost | 80 $$$$ | 70 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Plastic chrome | Electroless plastic |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 20–50 µm | 5–15 µm |
| Surface hardness | 700–1,000 HV | 80–150 HV |
| Max service temperature | 90 °C | 100 °C |
| Electrical | Conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | bright chrome, satin chrome, dark chrome | copper, silver, gold-toned nickel |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 10–20 working days | 10–20 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
Plastic chrome vs Electroless plastic — frequently asked
What is the difference between Plastic chrome and Electroless plastic?
Chrome Plating on Plastic and Electroless Plating on Plastic are both plating & metallizing on plastics finishes; plastic chrome resists corrosion better. Plastic chrome is the harder surface (700–1,000 HV vs 80–150 HV). Electroless plastic is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
When should I use Plastic chrome instead of Electroless plastic?
Choose Plastic chrome when a complete decorative Cu-Ni-Cr stack is required. Conversely: choose Electroless plastic when conductivity rather than chrome appearance is primary.
Is Plastic chrome or Electroless plastic cheaper?
Electroless plastic is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for Plastic chrome) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.