Thermal properties of functional platings are as follows.

(1) Heat resistance

This characteristic pertains to the plating nature that resists the plating layer property degradation under high temperatures where the plating layers oxidize and lose hardness.Some plating types can overcome these conditions. As opposed to the industrial chrome and electroless nickel platings losing the hardness when exposed to temperatures of 300°C or more, sulfamate bath nickel plating does not show the hardness reduction at over 500°C, as well as nickel-boron plating also has good heat resistance.

(2) Heat absorbency

This is a characteristic regarding how well the plating absorbs heat, and black coatings are often utilized as similar to light absorbent applications. This is used to absorb heat generated by electrical components to maintain the component temperature below certain levels. Shield casing and etc. are examples.

(3) Thermal radiation

This is a character of radiating heat that has been absorbed, and is important for radiators. It is known that black surfaces have high radiation radiation coefficients, and the black platings are applied to heat sink radiation portion with enlarged radiation surface area configuration.

(4) Thermal conductivity

This is a character about how well the heat is conducted. Silver, copper, and gold are particularly excellent. Copper is often used for practical applications. As a product, thickly applied copper plating on thermal conduction poor stainless steel pan bottom is well known. The copper plating excellent in thermal conductivity maintains the pan bottom temperature even to prevent burning inherent with stainless steel pans.

(5) Thermal reflectivity

This is a property of reflecting infrared of wavelength 2.5 micro meters or more. It is said that surfaces that are mirror-like with white metallic gloss have better thermal reflectivity. Chrome plated reflector plates of electric and kerosene stoves are very well known.