Electroplating is the process of using electrolysis to coat the surface of certain metals with a thin layer of other metals or alloys. It is the process of using electrolysis to attach a metal film to the surface of metals or other materials to prevent metal oxidation (such as rust), improve wear resistance, electrical conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance (copper sulfate, etc.) and enhance aesthetics.
Electroplating is divided into copper, gold, silver, chromium, nickel and zinc plating and other specific processes, especially in the manufacturing industry, galvanizing, nickel and chromium plating are the most widely used. So what is the difference between these three?
Plating process diagram
Galvanized, Nickel Plating and Chrome Plating
Galvanizing
Galvanizing is a surface treatment technique that plating a layer of zinc on the surface of metal, alloy or other materials for aesthetic and rust prevention purposes.
Features: low cost, general corrosion resistance, silvery white color.
Applications: screws, circuit breakers, industrial supplies, etc.
White Zinc
Color Zinc
Nickel Plating
The method of plating a layer of nickel on metal or certain non-metals by electrolytic or chemical methods is called nickel plating.
Features: beautiful, can be decorative, high price, slightly complicated process, color is silver white showing yellow.
Applications: energy-saving lamp heads, coins, hardware, etc.
Chromium Plating
Chromium is a bright white metal with a slight blue tint. The method of plating a layer of chromium on metal or certain non-metals by electrolytic or chemical methods is called chromium plating.
Features: There are two types of chrome plating, the first is for decorative purposes, bright appearance, better abrasion resistance, rust resistance is not as good as galvanization, better than oxidation; the second is to increase the hardness of metal parts, wear resistance, etc., which is the functionality of the parts.
Applications: bright decorative parts on home appliances, electronics and other products, tools, faucets, etc.
The most basic difference between the three types of plating
The most basic difference between the three types of plating
Chrome plating is mainly to improve surface hardness, aesthetics and rust prevention. Chromium plating has good chemical stability and does not act in alkali, sulfide, nitric acid and most organic acids, but can dissolve in hydrohalic acid (such as hydrochloric acid) and hot sulfuric acid. It is superior to silver and nickel because chromium does not change color and retains its reflectivity for a long time when used. The process is generally electroplating.
Nickel plating is mainly wear-resistant, anti-corrosion, anti-rust, the general thickness is thin, the process is divided into electroplating and chemical two types.
Zinc plating is mainly beautiful and rust-proof. Zinc is an active metal, can react with acid, so the corrosion resistance is poor, is the cheapest of the three.
The difference in cost is that chromium plating is the most expensive, followed by nickel, and zinc is the cheapest, which also distinguishes hanging plating, barrel plating, etc. Hanging plating is expensive and barrel plating is cheap.
Also we could distinguish it by color.
Chrome plated bright white, nickel plated with a little yellow, galvanized silver white
Extended knowledge
1. Electroplating production is mainly based on heavy metal pollution in sewage and effluent, and the country has strictly controlled the expansion of electroplating industry and cut down year by year.
2. Electroplating processing in China is mainly galvanizing, copper plating, nickel plating and chromium plating, of which galvanizing accounts for 50% and copper, chromium and nickel plating accounts for 30%.
3. If the purpose is to prevent rusting, galvanizing or cadmium plating can be used; if the focus is to prevent wear, nickel or chrome plating is the best choice.
