Plating & metallizing · finish comparison
Electroless Plating on Plastic vs Vacuum Metallization
Electroless Plating on Plastic and Vacuum Metallization are both plating & metallizing on plastics finishes; electroless plastic resists corrosion better.
Electroless Plating on Plastic
Plating & metallizing on plastics · $$$$ · instant quote
Electroless plating deposits nickel or copper uniformly on catalytically activated plastics and sealed 3D prints without external current.
Vacuum Metallization
Plating & metallizing on plastics · $$$$ · instant quote
Vacuum metallization evaporates aluminum or another metal onto prepared plastic to create a reflective or conductive-looking film.
When to choose which
Choose Electroless plastic
Choose Electroless plastic when uniform conductive coverage is primary.
- Uniform 5–15 µm coverage
- Coats complex wetted geometry
- Makes plastic conductive
Choose Vacuum metallization
Choose Vacuum metallization when reflective appearance with minimum metal thickness is wanted.
- Mirror-like appearance at 0.05–1 µm
- Low added mass
- Works on moulded and printed polymers
What the numbers say
- Electroless plastic resists corrosion better.
- Vacuum metallization is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- Vacuum metallization is the thinner coating (0.05–1 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
- Electroless plastic tolerates more heat (100 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Electroless plastic | Vacuum metallization |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 58 Good | 45 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 39 Fair | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 60 Good | 94 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 30 Low | 20 Low |
| Cost | 70 $$$$ | 65 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Electroless plastic | Vacuum metallization |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5–15 µm | 0.05–1 µm |
| Surface hardness | 80–150 HV | — |
| Max service temperature | 100 °C | 80 °C |
| Electrical | Conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | copper, silver, gold-toned nickel | bright aluminum, chrome-look, gold tint, custom tint |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 10–20 working days | 7–14 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
Electroless plastic vs Vacuum metallization — frequently asked
What is the difference between Electroless plastic and Vacuum metallization?
Electroless Plating on Plastic and Vacuum Metallization are both plating & metallizing on plastics finishes; electroless plastic resists corrosion better. Vacuum metallization is the lower-cost option ($$$$). Vacuum metallization is the thinner coating (0.05–1 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Electroless plastic instead of Vacuum metallization?
Choose Electroless plastic when uniform conductive coverage is primary. Conversely: choose Vacuum metallization when reflective appearance with minimum metal thickness is wanted.
Is Electroless plastic or Vacuum metallization cheaper?
Vacuum metallization is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for Electroless plastic) 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.