Master’s in Chrome, Nickel Plating and Surface Treatments Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in chrome plating, nickel plating and surface treatment engineering, structured in 12 modules covering surface electrochemistry, part preparation, copper, nickel and chrome plating, other metal treatments, mechanical polishing, quality testing, bath control, environment and safety and application in restoration, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Chrome, Nickel Plating and Surface Treatments Engineering — studying from Australia
Restoration of classic vehicles and heritage machinery is a valued pursuit in Australia, supported by active car clubs, museums and a dedicated enthusiast community. Engineers and skilled restorers work on historical preservation, parts sourcing, engine rebuilding and compliance with vehicle registration requirements. The heritage and collectable vehicle market supports specialist workshops, parts suppliers and appraisal services. Employers include restoration workshops, museums, specialist importers and heritage organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$14,200 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by any Australian heritage or automotive restoration body?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body or heritage authority. Recognition is decided by employers and individual clients. Heritage listings and vehicle registration are governed by state authorities, so check their requirements separately if they affect your work.
Which Australian businesses might employ restoration specialists with this training?
Classic car restoration workshops, heritage vehicle dealers, museums, and specialist parts suppliers are examples of Australian employers and clients in this area. Hiring decisions rest with each business. A strong restoration portfolio and practical experience are typically more persuasive than a private qualification.
Can I study from Australia while keeping my current work, and can it be funded?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and around your existing work. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the total hours and build a schedule you can sustain.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the electrochemical principles of electroplating.
Prepare parts for high-quality coatings.
Apply copper, nickel and chrome plating.
Select alternative surface treatments.
Control electrolytic baths and processes.
Evaluate coatings with standardised tests.
Manage the environmental and occupational risks of chromium VI.
Who it's for
- Electroplating technicians working with copper, nickel and chrome baths.
- Chrome restorers handling bumpers, trims and badges on classic vehicles.
- Metal polishers specialising in stainless steel, aluminium and brass.
- Plating line managers responsible for bath chemistry and process control.
- Coating quality technicians running thickness, salt spray and CASS tests.
- Environmental technicians in surface treatment plants dealing with chromium VI and wastewater.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- ISO 1456 (electrodeposited coatings of nickel, nickel plus chromium, copper plus nickel and copper plus nickel plus chromium)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), Annex XIV (authorisation list of substances of very high concern, including chromium VI compounds)
- ISO 9227 (corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — salt spray tests)
- ISO 2081 (electroplated coatings of zinc on iron or steel)
- ISO 7599 (anodising of aluminium and its alloys)
- ISO 4527 (autocatalytic (electroless) nickel-phosphorus coatings)
- ISO 2178 (non-magnetic coatings on magnetic substrates — measurement of coating thickness)
- Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions)
- Microsoft Excel
- Fischer WinFTM
- Minitab
- Adobe Lightroom
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Principles of electrodeposition1.2Faraday's laws1.3Potential and current density1.4Cathode efficiency of the bath1.5Deposit distribution and throwing power1.6Soluble and insoluble anodes1.7Electrolytic surface preparation1.8Adhesion of deposits1.9Deposit defects1.10Case study: calculating deposition time
2.1Disassembly and sorting2.2Stripping old chrome plating2.3Removing corrosion2.4Repairing pitting2.5Welding and filling zamak parts2.6Preliminary mechanical polishing2.7Chemical and electrolytic degreasing2.8Surface activation2.9Preparation control2.10Workshop: preparing a bumper
3.1The role of copper as a base layer3.2Alkaline and acid copper3.3Copper on zamak3.4Surface levelling3.5Polishing the copper3.6Recommended copper thicknesses3.7Bath control3.8Common problems and their solutions3.9Safety in copper baths3.10Practical exercise: acid copper plating of a part
4.1Bright and semi-bright nickel4.2Duplex and triplex nickel4.3Autocatalytic electroless nickel4.4Composition of Watts baths4.5Brightening additives4.6Thicknesses for exterior use4.7Period chrome-free nickel4.8Analytical bath control4.9Defects and solutions4.10Laboratory: bright nickel plating in a Hull cell
5.1Hexavalent chromium: chemistry and hazards5.2Decorative trivalent chromium5.3Differences in appearance5.4Industrial hard chrome5.5Microcracking and microporosity5.6REACH restriction of chromium VI5.7Alternatives to chromium VI5.8Chrome plating period parts5.9Thickness standards5.10Case study: comparing chromium VI and III
6.1Zinc plating and passivation6.2Historic cadmium plating and alternatives6.3Phosphating and parkerising6.4Bluing steel parts6.5Anodising aluminium6.6Colour anodising6.7Silver and gold plating6.8Tin plating6.9Conversion coatings6.10Practical exercise: anodising a trim strip
7.1Polishing with mops and compounds7.2Final buffing with compounds7.3Polishing stainless steel7.4Polishing aluminium7.5Satin and brushed finishes7.6Decorative shot blasting7.7Vibratory finishing and tumbling7.8Tools and machines7.9Safety in polishing7.10Workshop: polishing aluminium trims
8.1Thickness measurement8.2Neutral salt spray test8.3CASS corrosion test8.4Corrodkote corrosion test8.5Coating adhesion8.6Porosity assessment8.7Gloss and reflectance8.8Visual inspection of defects8.9Quality report8.10Laboratory: CASS test on a chrome-plated part
9.1Chemical analysis of baths9.2Hull cell tests9.3Filtration and purification9.4Temperature and agitation9.5Rectifiers and current control9.6Managing contaminants9.7Process documentation9.8Plant maintenance9.9Process indicators9.10Practical exercise: control plan for a nickel bath
10.1Hazards of chromium VI10.2Occupational exposure to chromium10.3Ventilation and extraction10.4Protective equipment10.5Wastewater treatment10.6Sludge management10.7Environmental permits for the workshop10.8Best available techniques10.9Sustainable alternatives to chromium VI10.10Case study: environmental management plan for a plating shop
11.1Originality criteria11.2Period thicknesses and appearance11.3Zamak parts11.4Brass parts11.5Badges and enamels11.6Headlamps and bezels11.7Treating fasteners11.8Coordination with the restorer11.9Full documentation of the process11.10Practical exercise: treatment plan for a set of chrome parts
12.1Selecting the parts12.2Diagnosis and analysis12.3Treatment plan12.4Preparation and deposition12.5Quality testing12.6Environmental management of the process12.7Full documentation of the process12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Excel, Fischer WinFTM, Minitab and Adobe Lightroom, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: salt spray and CASS tests, Hull cell tests and coating thickness measurements. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 1456, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), Annex XIV, ISO 9227, ISO 2081, ISO 7599, ISO 4527, ISO 2178, Directive 2010/75/EU.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Microsoft Excel, Fischer WinFTM, Minitab and Adobe Lightroom, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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