Many industries utilize electroplating to improve material performance or to add an aesthetic appeal to parts. Some of the applications and industries in which electroplating is used are listed and described below:
- Aerospace
- Art and Home Decor
- Automotive
- Jewelry
- Medical and Dental
- Power Generation
- Prototyping
- RF and Microwave Products
Aerospace
Electroplating is often used in the aerospace industry to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of critical components such as landing gear components (including connecting rods, actuators, and struts), and engine parts like turbine blades and fasteners. Titanium and aluminum are the two materials that are most often electroplated in the aerospace industry.
Art and Home Decor
Electroplating is popular for art and home decor pieces due to the process’s ability to coat lustrous and decorative metals onto metals with otherwise dull and insignificant surfaces. From home decor pieces and sculptures to architectural trim pieces, metals like nickel, gold, silver, and copper can be plated onto materials like iron or steel to create beautiful works of art.
Automotive
The automotive industry is one of many industries that benefit greatly from electroplating due to the improved aesthetic appeal and corrosion and wear resistance added to parts. Chromium, zinc, and gold are three materials commonly used for automotive electroplating for parts such as: electro-galvanized zinc parts like exterior panels, fenders, chromium-plated wheels, and under-the-hood components like steering columns.
Jewelry
Jewelry is an industry that commonly employs electroplating processes to create visually appealing products. Jewelry made from pure precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum can be expensive. However, with electroplating, manufacturers can use cheaper metals such as steel, and nickel as a substrate, and then deposit precious metals only onto the surface. This can help material costs and costs to the consumers while retaining the attractive appearance of expensive jewelry.
Medical and Dental
Electroplating is used in the medical and dental industry to coat parts such as surgical and dental instruments. Electroplating helps improve the hardness and corrosion resistance of these parts. Nickel and chromium are two metals often used for electroplating medical and dental parts.
Power Generation
Components in the power generation industry, such as turbines, heat exchangers, and shafts, experience tremendous amounts of friction, abrasion, heat, and stress when in use. Electroplating of power generation parts like power transmission shafts and turbines is a great solution to mitigate the effects of these phenomena which result in parts with longer life, but also parts with more heat, wear, and corrosion resistance.
Prototyping
Because electroplating can be used on both metals and plastics, electroplating can be used on 3D-printed parts without having to go through the costly and long process of producing metal prototypes. This enables manufacturers to save both cost and time and allows them to use the electroplating process to test the corrosion and wear resistance of different types of coatings.
RF and Microwave Products
Electroplating is great for RF (radio frequency) and microwave products such as: antennas, radios, navigation beacons, and more. Gold and silver all can be used to improve the electrical conductivity of parts when electroplated.
