Why Choose Alcaro

Plated Parts play a critical role in both the assembly and installation of manufactured products. As an integral product component, a dependable and affordable supply chain is required by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) at all times.

Today many components are sourced offshore. Without a trusted supplier, OEMs risk receiving plated parts that are under spec, which can impact the performance and longevity of the part or product they are used in. Additionally, any significant changes in the quantities required can take a long time to fulfill.

OEMs typically purchase plated parts, when hardness, electrical conductivity, and wear resistance are required. Usually, these parts are plated where they are manufactured – largely in Asia.

Today, most fasteners, stamped parts, and assemblies are manufactured and plated offshore, often with zinc. Although you can generally obtain the same types of coatings we have domestically, there can and often are quality issues. You never know for sure if what you are purchasing entirely meets the specifications even if the plating looks nice and bright.
Specify RoHS-compliant plating or take your chances

Most OEMs today require RoHS-compliant plating. The directive restricts the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants) in electrical or electronic products to maximum permitted concentration levels, with a few exceptions.

Unless you specifically request ROHS-compliant plating from the supplier, you probably will not get it because hexavalent chromium is still a little cheaper. Suppliers try to use [hexavalent chromium] when not specified because they want to squeeze out every penny of profit. So, OEMs that only specify commercial thickness may not be getting RoHS-compliant plating.
Even if the coating is technically RoHS compliant, not all chromates are created equal, so OEMs may still receive products that only satisfy very minimal requirements.

Alcaro plating will meet and certify all your plating requirements.