What is electroplating?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Electroplating is a process that uses electric current to reduce dissolved metal cations so that they form a thin coherent metal coating on an electrode. It is largely used in industry and decorative arts to improve the surface qualities of objects.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Concept

Electroplating is a process that uses an electric current to reduce dissolved metal cations so that they form a thin coherent metal coating on an electrode. The term is also used for electrical oxidation of anions on to a solid substrate.
02

The Process

In electroplating, the object to be plated (such as a metal handle) is given a negative charge and is submerged into a solution that contains a salt of the metal to be plated. The positively charged metal cation is attracted to the negatively charged object and is reduced forming a coating.
03

The Application

Electroplating is widely used in industry and decorative arts to improve the surface qualities of objects—such as resistance to abrasion and corrosion, lubricity, reflectivity—or to build up thickness on undersized or worn-out parts.

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