galvanointimenetelmiä

Galvanointimenetelmät, commonly known as electroplating or electrodeposition, are processes used to deposit a thin layer of metal onto another conductive material using an electric current. This technique is widely employed for decorative purposes, to improve corrosion resistance, enhance hardness, or impart electrical conductivity to a substrate. The basic principle involves immersing both the object to be plated (the cathode) and a metal anode in an electrolyte solution containing ions of the plating metal. When a direct current is applied, metal ions from the electrolyte or the anode are attracted to the cathode and deposit as a solid metal coating.

There are several variations of galvanointimenetelmät. The most common is electroplating, where a sacrificial anode made of the plating metal is used. Alternatively, electroforming uses a mold as the cathode and builds up a thick metal layer, which is later separated from the mold. Electroless plating, while not strictly electrogalvanizing as it doesn't use an external electric current, is a related chemical process that deposits metal by autocatalytic reduction. The choice of method depends on the desired coating thickness, uniformity, material properties, and cost-effectiveness. Proper surface preparation of the substrate is crucial for good adhesion and a uniform coating.