what is electroplating ?what are its benefits?
Answers
Answer:
Electroplating (often termed as electrodeposition) is a process that employs an electrical signal provided by an external power source to reduce cations of a desired metal in solution and produce a metallic coating.
It improves overall quality and increases longevity of the substrate. Some types of electroplating protect against premature tarnishing in certain kinds of metals and also reduce the likelihood of scratching. Products such as silverware retain their attractiveness and hold their value over time.
Electroplating:
- Electroplating is the process of coating metal with a thin layer of another metal by electrolysis to improve the metal's corrosion resistance.
- The metals most commonly used in plating are:
Copper, nickel, gold, silver, chrome, zinc, tin.
- The electroplating is also known as electrodeposition and electroplated coating.
- The main purpose of electroplating is to improve:
Appearance
Protection against corrosion
Special surface properties
Engineering or mechanical properties.
- In the process of electroplating the anode is connected to the positive terminal and the cathode is connected to the negative terminal .
- Both are immersed in a solution that contains an electrolytes and then connected to an external supply of direct current .
- When DC power is applied, the anode is oxidized -its metal atoms dissolve in the electrolyte solution. These dissolved metal ions are reduced at the cathode and form a coating.
- Different metals can be coated using the electroplating process. Formulating the right electrolyte is important for the quality of plating.
- Electrolytes used in the process include:
Acids
Bases
Metal salts
Molten salts.
Benefits of electroplating:
- Corrosivity
- Resistance
- Brightness or reflectivity
- Hardness
- Mechanical strength
- Ductility
- Wear resistance.