Abstract: In a mechanical plating process, oxidation-prone metals, such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and mixtures thereof, can be applied to metal substrates without the corrosion problems encountered in the prior art. To avoid such problems, the substrate is plated with the oxidation-prone metal and relatively minor amounts of an immersion metal and, optionally, a protective metal. The immersion metal which can be salts or oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of tin, copper, nickel, cadmium, zinc, lead, and mixtures thereof coats the oxidation-prone metal in forming a mechanical plating coating and prevents formation of an oxide layer on the oxidation-prone metal. The protective metal which may be selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, and mixtures thereof prevents oxidation of the plated metal substrate when exposed to the environment. An etching agent is used either prior to and/or during mechanical plating.

Abstract: In a mechanical plating process, oxidation-prone metals, such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and mixtures thereof, can be applied to metal substrates without the corrosion problems encountered in the prior art. To avoid such problems, the substrate is plated with the oxidation-prone metal and relatively minor amounts of an immersion metal and, optionally, a protective metal. The immersion metal which can be salts or oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of tin, copper, nickel, cadmium, zinc, lead, and mixtures thereof coats the oxidation-prone metal in forming a mechanical plating coating and prevents formation of an oxide layer on the oxidation-prone metal. The protective metal which may be selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, and mixtures thereof prevents oxidation of the plated metal substrate when exposed to the environment. An etching agent is used either prior to and/or during mechanical plating.