Electroplating is a widely used surface finishing technique that plays an essential role in the function and performance of parts in many industries. It is a cost-effective process that enables manufacturers to blend the hardness, electrical properties, abrasion, temperature and corrosion resistance, and the appearance of a particular metal in a material that otherwise lacks the desired traits. Different electroplating methods, such as barrel plating, rack plating, and reel-to-reel plating, can be used to obtain the desired combination of properties of a product. Electroplating is a versatile process with many different uses such as: plating integrated circuit components to improve electrical conductivity, plating aerospace components such as landing gear to improve their corrosion resistance, and plating metals to have the appearance of precious metals in the jewelry industry.
Juize offers electroplating as a value-added, turnkey service to our primary manufacturing processes, including CNC, 3D printing, injection molding, casting, sheet cutting, etc.
About Electroplating
Electroplating is the process of coating an object in a layer of metal using electrolysis. This is used by engineers to transfer the metal coating from an anode to a cathode. This process occurs in a bath where the cathode is immersed in an electrolyte solution to facilitate the transfer of the metal ions from the anode to the cathode. The bath is typically composed of salt and the metal to be plated. A DC power source creates an electric current that drives the metal ions from the anode to the cathode. The cathode can be an electrically conductive metal or a non-conductive material such as plastic which has been coated to make its surface conductive. This conductive surface attracts the metal ions being supplied by the anode. The ions then adhere to the surface of the cathode. Once adhered, the ions turn back into atoms and form a thin layer of metal on the substrate’s surface.
