What is Electroplating?
In its simplest terms, electroplating is coating a conducting material with metal. Electroplating can make an object more durable, more conductive, improve corrosion resistance, and add other desirable qualities to a piece or part. This process typically increases the thickness of the object, its wear resistance, and in many cases, the aesthetics of the object.
The Electroplating Process
An electric current is used to dissolve metal and place it on a surface during the electroplating process, which requires four specific components:
- The Anode: This is the positively charged electrode used during the process. It is the metal that is used to plate the object or cathode.
- The Cathode: this is a negative electrode. The cathode is the object that will be plated using the anode.
- The Solution: The electroplating process occurs in an electrolyte solution. The solution contains at least one metal salt to enable the flow of the electrical current.
- The Power Source: The power source adds the electrical current to the circuit.
During the electroplating process, the anode and cathode are placed in the solution, they are connected, and the power supply adds a current directly to the anode. When the electric current flows through the circuit, the metal splits up, and some of its atoms are deposited in a thin layer on the cathode. The cathode, or object, becomes electroplated.
Which metals are used in the electroplating process?
There are a variety of metals used in the electroplating process. The most common metals used include:
- Zinc: This metal serves as strong protection against rust and corrosion. A thin layer of zinc coating stops moisture from penetrating the base metal.
- Tin: This metal is a great, cost-effective option for electroplating. Tin is a non-reactive metal with non-toxic properties, making it a good choice for electroplating in the food trade.
- Copper: This metal is an excellent option for a wide range of purposes due to its heat resistance and conductive properties. It is often used in the oil and gas industries.
- Gold: This metal is highly effective at protecting against corrosion, and it is the metal that is the least likely to oxidize. It is also highly conductive.
- Silver: This metal has high electrical conductive properties, a high light reflectivity, and it holds up well against acids and chemicals.
- Palladium: This metal is a great option for electroplating in the automotive industry because it is an inexpensive alternative to gold.
- Nickel: This metal is an excellent choice for electroplating because it has strong wear and corrosion resistance properties.
Uses of Electroplating
There is a wide variety of industries–medical, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and more–that take advantage of the significant benefits of electroplating. Specifically, engineers take advantage of the process for design aesthetics, corrosion resistance, and more.
With electroplating, thin layers of gold and silver can be coated on cheap metals to make them more aesthetically pleasing, which is commonly done with jewelry. Electroplating is widely used to give car parts a smooth texture and appearance–chromium is often used in these cases.
Metals are prone to corrosion, so plating corrosive metals with a thin layer of non-corrosive metal can help them last significantly longer. Copper, chromium, and nickel are used in the electroplating process to prevent corrosion.
Beyond beauty and protection, electroplating can also add electrical conductivity. With electronic components in use in so many industries–from aerospace and automotive to oil and gas and medical–this specific benefit of electroplating bodes well for future innovation. For example, silver and copper plating are often used to add conductivity to an object.
If you’re a manufacturing or design engineer looking at electroplating to meet a design or production need, we’re here to help. Schedule a call with us today.
