Aerospace Plating Services

Low angle on left side of airplane with view of extended landing gear and turbine engine

Aerospace programs run on tight tolerances and schedules. A coating on a hydraulic fitting, actuator, or structural fastener does not just enhance a part. The finishing supplier behind those components is a key partner in meeting specifications for the application’s demands.

Saporito Finishing has delivered aerospace plating services out of Chicago since 1946. We hold NADCAP certification and support the finishing needs of leading aerospace organizations. Learn more about our aerospace plating services and anodizing abilities below.

Mission-Critical Metal Finishing for the Aerospace Industry

Aerospace components operate under conditions that can expose any weaknesses in a finish. Factors like temperature extremes, hydraulic fluid exposure, and mechanical stress must be accounted for when finishing metal components for this industry.

At Saporito Finishing, we work with aluminum, steel, and magnesium components across hydraulic systems, structural assemblies, and precision hardware. Purchasing teams and engineers come to us when the finish has to be right the first time and when the paperwork behind it has to hold up to an audit.

Our NADCAP Certified Aerospace Plating Services

Saporito Finishing has held NADCAP certification for over 25 years, and our involvement goes back even further. When the NADCAP standard for chemical processing was first developed in 1995, our team was part of the founding group. That history reflects an institutional depth of process knowledge that shapes how we run our shop every day.

Our NADCAP scope covers chemical processing and includes the plating operations that aerospace customers and their supply chains depend on most. We hold approvals from SpaceX, Boeing, Lockheed, Rockwell Collins, Moog, and more. Earning those approvals requires documented process controls, recurring audits, and a quality system built around aerospace expectations.

The aerospace plating services we can perform include:

  • Nickel plating. Offers excellent adhesion and enhanced corrosion protection. Common on fasteners and landing gear components.
  • Electroless nickel plating. Deposits a layer of uniform thickness on complex geometries, including blind holes and tube interiors where line-of-sight processes fall short.
  • Chrome plating. Can be used for wear resistance and dimensional restoration on hydraulic cylinders, actuators, and wear-surface components.

Anodizing and Coatings for Demanding Aerospace Applications

Plating is not the only finishing discipline aerospace programs depend on. Different aluminum components may require anodizing or chemical film treatment as part of finishing. Sourcing those processes from separate vendors can extend lead time, create additional handoffs, or introduce risk at each transfer point.

Saporito Finishing processes anodizing and chemical film in-house alongside our plating operations. Buyers consolidate their finishing work under one quality system and one point of contact rather than coordinating across multiple suppliers.

Our anodizing processes for aerospace applications include:

  • Hardcoat anodize. A denser oxide layer for wear-resistant applications, including valve bodies, actuator components, and housings in abrasive service.
  • Chromic anodize. A thinner film suited to enhance fatigue-sensitive aluminum parts.

We can use passivation treatments to enhance the natural oxide layer on stainless steel components. We can also apply both hexavalent and trivalent chem film treatments to aluminum parts across a range of aerospace applications.

A Trusted Finishing Partner to Aerospace Leaders

Leading aerospace organizations rely on quality finishing services. At Saporito Finishing, we hold approvals as a trusted finishing partner, and our shop runs operations to keep meeting those expectations. For purchasing managers sourcing aerospace plating services in the Chicagoland area, our fleet of trucks handles regional pickups and deliveries. For engineering teams working through finish selection or reviewing a technical challenge, our technical staff can walk through the process with customers to find the right option for the application.

If you are qualifying a new finishing supplier or have a production program that needs a dependable source, request a quote or contact our team to get started.