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Along with ceramic, glass, and plastic, graphite is one of the non-metallic substrates that we plate at AOTCO. However, the plating-on-graphite process varies greatly from the plating process of other non-metals. Graphite can be plated with traditional electroplating methods, unlike our other non-metallic substrates. This is because graphite is the only non-metallic substance in the world that is also electrically conductive.
Due to its conductivity, traditional electrolytic plating processes can be applied directly to the graphite substrate’s surface. Non-metals like plastic or glass require base layers or surface preparation to make the surface conductive, Graphite does not need this extra first layer.
Graphite is also commonly used, in powder form, to make the surface of non-metallic substrates conductive. The thin layer of graphite applied to the surface of the substrate allows it to be more adhesive for further surface finishing.
