3M™ 470 Electrodeposition Tape

3M 470 tape is a vinyl masking tape for electroplating and bath surface treatments. It protects the areas of the part that must not receive the deposit: threads, bearing faces, contact surfaces, areas to be reworked.

Specifications

• Backing: vinyl (PVC).
• Use: masking for electroplating, galvanic plating and bath treatments.
• Widths: 12, 19, 25, 38 and 51 mm, plus 330 and 1,220 mm for cutting.

Why a vinyl tape

In electroplating, the part goes through successive baths: degreasing, pickling, deposition, rinsing. A paper tape soaks up liquid and lifts. Vinyl is impermeable and flexible: it follows the shape of the part and keeps its edge sealed throughout the cycle.

The edge is the critical point. If the bath seeps under the tape, the masked area receives a partial deposit and the part must be reworked.

Successful masking

Clean part. The tape is applied after degreasing, to a dry surface.

Edge pressed down. Press firmly all round to expel the air.

Stretch slightly on shapes. The flexibility of vinyl lets it follow a radius without creasing; a crease would form a channel for the bath.

Templates for production runs. The wide formats allow repeatable masking shapes to be cut.

See also the 3M 8985L anodising tape, our PVC tapes and our 3M products.