electroplated

Electroplated describes a surface finish produced by electroplating, a process that deposits a thin layer of metal onto a conductive substrate through electrolysis. In a typical setup, the object to be plated acts as the cathode in an electrolytic bath containing dissolved metal ions. The anode, made of the plating metal or a soluble surrogate, serves as the source of metal ions. When current is applied, metal ions reduced at the surface form a metallic coating. The thickness of the deposit is controlled by current density, time, temperature, agitation, and bath composition, and can range from a few micrometers to tens of micrometers depending on the application.

Common plating metals include nickel, chromium, copper, zinc, tin, silver, and gold. Nickel is widely used for wear resistance and corrosion protection; chromium is valued for hardness and bright appearance; copper provides electrical conductivity and as an undercoating; tin and silver offer solderability and decorative options; gold is used for high-reliability electronics. Finishes may be decorative, functional, or both, and may involve single-metal or duplex (multilayer) systems.

Process variants include bright nickel, nickel-phosphorus, hard chromium, copper undercoats, and decorative chrome. Substrate preparation—cleaning, degreasing, and activation—is critical for adhesion. Common quality issues include poor adhesion, porosity, pitting, dullness, or uneven thickness, especially on complex geometries.

Environmental and safety considerations are significant: cyanide-based baths pose hazards, and hexavalent chromium used in some chrome plating is tightly regulated. Waste treatment, air emissions control, and proper handling of chemicals are essential components of electroplating facilities.