Customisation Ruthenium Plating

Electroplating Customisation Ruthenium Plating

Welcome to the world of electroplating customisation, where you can learn more about one of the most fascinating topics in metal finishing – ruthenium plating. This is a type of metal finishing process which has become increasingly popular due to its unique capabilities and advantages which make it perfect for a range of applications. In this article, we will explore what ruthenium plating is, the various benefits it offers, and how it can be customised.

What is Ruthenium Plating?

Ruthenium plating is an electroplating process which uses a solution containing the element ruthenium to deposit a thin layer of metal onto a surface. This process is usually used to provide protective or decorative coatings on metals, particularly copper and nickel alloys. The process can also be used to enhance the hardness and corrosion resistance of components, as well as improve their electrical and thermal conductivity.

Benefits of Ruthenium Plating

Ruthenium plating offers a number of key advantages which make it suitable for a wide variety of applications. Firstly, it is highly resistant to corrosion and wear, which ensures that components will remain in good condition for longer. Additionally, the ruthenium layer provides excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, which makes it ideal for use in electrical components such as circuit boards. Finally, it also provides excellent hardness and abrasion resistance, making it suitable for components that are subject to high levels of wear and tear.

Customisation of Ruthenium Plating

The ruthenium plating process can be customised to suit a range of different application needs. Depending on the specific requirements of the application, the plating variables such as current density, time, temperature, and solution composition can be adjusted to achieve the desired results. By altering these variables, it is possible to create coatings that are optimised for specific applications.

Other Uses of Ruthenium

In addition to being used in electroplating, ruthenium has a number of other uses. For example, it is used in the electronics industry as a contact material due to its low resistivity and high thermal and electrical conductivity. It is also used in the manufacture of high-temperature superconductors, as well as in the production of fuel cells and catalytic converters.

Sustainable Palladium Substitute

Recently, researchers at Umicore have developed a new plating solution which contains ruthenium instead of palladium, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Compared to palladium, ruthenium plating has the advantage of being significantly cheaper, while still providing excellent protection and enhancing the performance of components. As a result, this new plating solution has the potential to revolutionise the electroplating industry.

Ruthenium plating is a valuable and versatile metal finishing process which can be used to provide a range of protective and decorative coatings on a wide variety of components. It offers numerous advantages, including excellent corrosion and wear resistance, and can even be customised to suit specific applications. Additionally, ruthenium has a number of other uses in the electronics industry and should now be considered as an alternative to palladium, thanks to its many environmental and cost-related benefits. At Umicore, we are proud to be leading the way in electroplating customisation with our new ruthenium plating solution. To learn more, please visit https://mds.umicore.com/en/electroplating/news-media/news/sustainable-palladium-substitute-with-significant-price-advantages/.