- The layer of metal deposited through electroplating has some desired property, which the metal of the object lacks. For example, chromium plating is done on many objects such as car parts, bath taps, kitchen gas burners, wheel rims and many others. Using it as a coating allows corrosion-resistance and prolongs the life of the parts.
- There are different types of electroplating which includes:
| Mass Plating | As its name, mass plating plates a “mass amount” of objects efficiently. This process is unlikely to be used to coat jewelries because it requires details and needs prevention from scratches and entanglement. |
|---|---|
| Rack Plating | This type is more expensive than mass plating, but effective for either large or delicate parts. |
| Continuous Plating | This type is cheaper and is used for parts such as wires and tubes. |
| Line Plating | This type is cheaper, as fewer chemicals are used and a production line is used to plate parts. |
- According to https://www.kleinplating.com, electroplating doesn’t damage the environment despite the uses of many hazardous materials such as acids and cyanide. Governments of nations all around the world makes sure of the strictness in policies regarding wastes into the environment through Clean Water Act, Federal, State and Local requirements as well as through monitors.
- Common Base Materials include:
| Beryllium Copper Brass Cold Rolled Steel Copper Nickel | Phosphorus Bronze Stainless Steel Tellurium Copper Nickel Silver |
- Common Surface Coatings include:
| Gold Silver Electroless Nickel | Copper Electrolytic Nickel Alloy Co-Deposit |
- There are a few disadvantages of electroplating:
– Non-uniform plating: electroplating may or may not be uniform and this may result in a substandard appearance of the plated material.
– Cost: the process is costly and time consuming.
– Pollution potential: the electroplating solution, after use, needs to be disposed off safely and is a cause of environmental concern.
Electroplaeting! 