My parts have to be plated. Is it better to plate the parts before or after assembly with a Loctite product?
Plating on the surface of parts will affect the strength and cure rate of Loctite products. Generally, products will cure more slowly and have lower strength on plated parts. In most cases, however, this is more than adequate. Assembly of plated parts often eliminates any requirements for degreasing or removal of contamination, since parts come from plating operation with very clean surfaces. Thus in most cases, parts are plated before assembly. In the few instances where plating is attempted after assembly, Loctite products will generally stand up well to the temperatures and fluids found in the plating operation. Some products do not stand up well to plating operations, and therefore, testing should be conducted before attempting this in production.
