ASTM B700 | QQ-S365
Semi-Bright Deposit for Contacts, Connectors, Bus Bars
FAST! 2 – 3 Days Turn-Around
Same Day & Next Day Expedited Service Available!
Guerrero Plating Technology specializes in producing high quality industrial silver plating. Our product is applied on Seal Rings, Gaskets, Contacts, Connectors, and Bus Bars. Delivering an excellent corrosion and tarnish resistance when used as a coating alongside it’s impressive capabilities in conductivity, silver plating is often used in electrical components. Furthermore, exhibiting good lubricity at very high temperatures, silver is also commonly used in the oil and gas industry on components such as seal rings. Additional benefits of using silver plating also include its comparatively low cost to other precious metals and its ease of manufacturing with capabilities to alloy with other metals.
Industrial Standards of Silver Plating
Our industrial silver plating services currently conform to the following standards:
ASTM B700 |QQ-S-365
Please contact us for more information on our silver plating quotations, capacity, and other questions.
Applications For Industrial Silver Plating
Seal Rings
Turbine fastener components, airplane electronic components, rotorcraft gears amongst others.
Microwave components
High electrical and heat conductivity makes silver plating ideal for electrical components and connectors
Bearing Surfaces
The excellent lubricity displayed by silver plating results in usage with high load applications
Our rack process line is being set up to process silver plating on thousands of components for wide range of other industries, including oilfield, oil & gas, electronics, medical, air defense, military
Industrial Service Specifications
We specialize in providing our customers with thickness specific coatings. We pride ourselves in understanding the engineering behind the coating call out, therefore we ensure our coating deposit is verified and certified to the customer’s requirements. Our inspection process includes an XRF coating thickness analysis (nondestructive), as well as adhesion tests, both compliant to world known specifications, including ASTM, Military, and AMS, and ISO.
Guerrero Silver Plating FAQ
What are the main benefits of industrial silver plating?
As a noble metal, silver is naturally corrosion-resistant, offers outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity, and possesses superior lubricity and anti-galling properties. Silver also retains its integrity under extreme heat, making it highly solderable, while medical applications benefit from its inherent antimicrobial and biocompatible qualities. It is also a far more cost-effective metal for plating purposes compared to alternatives like gold, platinum, and palladium.
What industries typically use silver plating?
Silver is the coating of choice for many performance-intensive industrial applications, especially where maintaining functionality under intense operating conditions is crucial. Thanks to its many beneficial properties, silver-plated components are integral to the electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, defense, energy, and medical sectors.
How does silver plating compare to other conductive finishes, like gold or copper?
Silver surpasses copper and gold in both electrical and thermal conductivity, while also providing superior lubricity and resistance to galling. Silver is a significantly more economical plating material than its fellow noble metal, gold, although it is susceptible to tarnishing, whereas pure gold is not. However, tarnish-resistant (Class T) treatments may be applied to maintain the appearance and function of silver over time.
What base metals can be silver plated?
Guerrero can plate a variety of base metals, including copper, brass, stainless steel, and aluminum. The plating method (rack, barrel, or vibratory) is selected based on the part's geometry and size.
What plating thicknesses are available, and how do I choose the right one?
Thickness recommendations are application-specific. Typical ranges include:
- Electrical conductivity: 0.0001" – 0.0004"
- Anti-galling (threads): 0.0001" – 0.0003"
- Gaskets: 0.001" – 0.002"
- Heat sinks: 0.0004" – 0.0008"
Guerrero works with clients to ensure the optimal thickness for both performance and cost efficiency.
What determines the grade of silver used in industrial plating?
The silver grade is typically determined by the engineer or client based on the application. For example, gaskets used in oil pipelines often require more than 1 mil of silver plating for maximum conductivity and ductility.
What are the differences between matte, semi-bright, and bright silver finishes?
- Matte (Grade A): Pure silver with no additives. Softest and most ductile, but not typically offered due to limited industrial suitability.
- Bright (Grades B & C): Contains additives for enhanced hardness, smoother appearance, and improved corrosion resistance.
- Semi-bright (Grade D): A mid-range finish offering balanced hardness and performance.
Do you offer matte silver plating (Grade A)?
No, we do not offer Grade A matte silver. Our focus is on finishes that provide superior durability and corrosion resistance for demanding industrial applications.
What is the purity of your silver plating?
We use 99.9% pure silver, meeting Type I requirements as specified in ASTM B700. This high-purity standard ensures optimal electrical and thermal conductivity for mission-critical parts.
Can you provide Type II or Type III silver plating?
Yes, while Type I is the industry standard and our most common offering, we can accommodate Type II and III plating specifications based on your application and design needs.
Is your silver plating compliant with military or aerospace standards?
Yes. Guerrero follows industry-recognized standards such as ASTM B700 and MIL-QQ-S-365 (though ASTM standards have largely superseded MIL specs). Plating is also tested and certified using XRF thickness probes and adhesion tests.
Can you silver plate complex geometries or high-volume parts?
Absolutely. Guerrero uses rack, barrel, and vibratory plating depending on the part’s geometry and batch size. This ensures uniform coverage and consistent quality regardless of complexity or volume.
What is the turnaround time for silver plating orders?
At Guerrero, we take pride in our fast turnaround times. While turnaround may vary depending on order complexity and volume, 2 - 3 days is standard, with same-day and next-day expedited service options available. With every order, we offer quick and reliable lead times, utilizing a detailed quoting system to ensure fair and predictable pricing.
Do you offer any post-plating services, such as baking, masking, or testing?
Yes. Guerrero performs adhesion (tape), bake, and burnish tests, and uses XRF to verify coating thickness. We also apply a supplementary non-chromate (Class T) treatment to increase the tarnish resistance of silver-plated components.
How should I prepare parts for silver plating before sending them to you?
Typically, clients will need to ensure parts are clean and may need to specify masking requirements. For prep guidelines, our engineering team can provide direction based on the part’s use.
Can I receive technical guidance to determine if silver plating is the right choice for my application?
Yes. Guerrero’s team works closely with clients to recommend the right grade, thickness, and spec for any application. If you’re unsure, we'll guide you through the selection process to match function, compliance, and budget goals.
Is there a minimum order size or volume requirement?
There is no strict minimum—Guerrero can do everything from prototyping to large-scale production runs, thanks to our flexible plating methods and client-focused approach.
