What is Electroplating

Electroplating, also known as electrodeposition, is a surface finishing technique that utilizes electricity to deposit a different metal coating on a solid metal object. For example, a silver watch can be plated in gold to give the watch the appearance that it is solid gold. Often times electroplating is used to enhance a metal item by coating it in a metal that has increased conductivity, corrosion resistance, or visual appeal.

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Electroplating Process

The electroplating process is typically broken into three categories: pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment.

Pre-treatment

During the pre-treatment stage, the part is fully prepared for treatment. This commences with disassembling any connected parts to ensure an even coat of electroplating solution can reach the entirety of the part&#;s surface area. Next, the part is completely stripped of any particles which can cause blisters or flakes; this includes old metal coatings, as well as, greases or dusts that are on the part. Finally, the piece is polished ensuring any imperfections on the piece are smoothed and even, additionally any remaining oxidation on the object&#;s surface is removed during the polishing process.

Treatment

The first step in the treatment phase begins with dipping the workpiece in a cleaning solution and electrifying it. This process allows the coating to adhere to the workpiece. The workpiece is then connected to the negative lead of a power source while the positive lead is placed directly in the plating solution. Once the power source is turned on, the metal atoms on the anode begin to oxidize and dissolve into the electrolyte solution where they adhere to the surface of the workpiece. The length of time the workpiece remains in the solution is dependent on the desired thickness. The process often takes anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes.

Post-treatment

While many jobs are completed after the product is removed from the electrolyte solution, some jobs require a bit more work. Some metal coatings requite a clear coat to further prevent tarnishing and improve corrosion resistance. Electroplating generates a hazardous waste, so recycling and proper waste removal are key to staying in line with governmental regulations.

Industries that Utilize Electroplating

Several industries are dependent on the electroplating process for specific metal coated parts used in their day to day operations. The automotive industry commonly uses zinc-nickel plating solutions to prevent corrosion in harsh environmental conditions. The aerospace and military industries both frequently use titanium plating due to its high strength to weight ratio. Gold plating is commonly used by the electronics industry due to its conductivity. The jewelry industry frequently uses gold plating as a cheaper alternative to solid gold.

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Electroplating Process

What is Electroplating?

Electroplating is basically the process of plating a metal onto the other by hydrolysis mostly to prevent corrosion of metal or for decorative purposes. The process uses an electric current to reduce dissolved metal cations to develop a lean coherent metal coating on the electrode. Electroplating is often applied in the electrical oxidation of anions on a solid substrate like the formation of silver chloride on silver wire to form silver chloride electrodes.

Electroplating is majorly applied to modify the surface features of an object (e.g corrosion protection, lubricity, abrasion), but the process can also be used to build thickness or make objects by electro forming.

The Anode and Cathode

In electroplating practice, the current is usually introduced from an external source and the anode is the positive electrode and cathode is a negative electrode. The cathode is the electrode where the electrochemical reduction reaction occurs. The anode is that where the electrochemical oxidation reaction occurs.

The electroplating process uses an anode and a cathode. In electroplating, the metal dissolved from the anode can be plated onto the cathode. The anode is provided with direct current, oxidizing and dissolving its metal atoms in the electrolyte solution. At the cathode, the dissolved metal ions are decreased and the metal is placed on the product.

How does Electroplating Work?

To understand the concept further, let&#;s take an example of a gold coating. In this instance, a layer of gold is to be electrodeposited on metallic jewellery to enhance its appearance.

Usually, the gold plating is connected to the anode (+ve charged electrode) of the circuit and the jewellery is kept at the cathode (-ve charged electrode). Both are kept immersed in a highly developed electrolytic bat (solution). At this stage, a DC current is supplied to the anode that oxidizes the gold atoms and dissolves them into the solution.

The dissolved ions of gold are reduced at the cathode and plated on the jewellery.

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However, there are major factors that influence the last plating. These include:

• The voltage level of current.
• The temperature and chemical composition of the bath.
• The current length of time.
• The distance between the cathode and the anode.

Uses of Electroplating

Talking about the uses of electroplating, apart from enhancing the appearance of the substrate it is used in various other purposes as well. The major application is to optimize a material&#;s resistance towards corrosion. The plated layer often serves as a sacrificial coating which reveals that it dissolves before the base substance. Some of the other common applications of electroplating involve:

• Improving wear resistance.
• Improving the thickness of the metal surface.
• Enhancing the electrical conductivity like plating a copper layer on an electrical component.
• Minimizing Friction.
• Improving surface uniformity.

Frequently Asked Questions &#; FAQs

Q1

What is electroplating?

Electroplating is the process of aligning another metal onto a metal. This is accomplished using an electroplating apparatus that includes a brine solution, a battery, wires, and alligator clips that hold carbon rods attached to the metal to be electroplated and the metal to be layered.

Q2

What factors affect electroplating?

This process is influenced by a variety of factors. Some of these factors include the electrodes&#; surface area, temperature, the type of metal and electrolyte used, and the magnitude of the applied current. The factors that influence the electroplating process will be investigated in this essay.

Q3

Where is electroplating used?

Electroplating is widely used in industry and the decorative arts to improve object surface qualities such as abrasion and corrosion resistance, lubricity, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, and appearance.

Q4

What is the main principle of electroplating?

Electroplating is the method of depositing one metal over another in the presence of a metal salt (in aqueous solution). The water molecule is released as the final product in this process. As a consequence, electroplating is based on the theory of hydrolysis.

Q5

What acid is used for electroplating?

In the electroplating and metal finishing industries, methanesulphonic acid is used. Methanesulphonic acid has increasingly replaced fluoroboric acid as the chosen electrolyte for the electrodeposition of tin and tin-lead solder on electronic devices over the last ten years.

To know more about operations involved in electroplating process along with its applications in different fields, you can download BYJU&#;S &#; The Learning App.

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