{"id":786,"date":"2020-10-02T10:52:08","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T10:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hitekproducts.com\/?p=786"},"modified":"2020-10-02T10:52:08","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T10:52:08","slug":"how-does-electroplating-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hitekproducts.com\/blog\/how-does-electroplating-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Electroplating Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is electroplating?<\/h2>\n

Electroplating is the process of coating the surface of a conducting material (a material that allows electrical currents to pass through) with a thin layer of another metal through means of electrolysis. Electroplating is used because it helps protect the conducting material from wear, corrosion, and rust.<\/p>\n

What are electroplating masking products?<\/h2>\n

Also known as anodize masking, electroplating masking products are used to cover specific areas which will be exposed in the electroplating process. This essentially means that when the metal is being covered, the electroplating masking products will protect the covered area of the item from being electroplated. Plugs, caps, dots, and masking lacquer for electroplating can all be used when electroplating. These can withstand the temperatures and conditions in an electrolytic bath. It’s important to note that electroplating masking products are not always required to be used in every case of electroplating<\/p>\n

How does electroplating work?<\/h2>\n

Electroplating works by submerging the metal area required to be coated, known as cathode or anode, in an electrolytic bath. The electrolytic bath usually consists of a mixture of salts, as well as the metal used in the plating process. An electric current, which is unidirectional, is passed directly through the solution in the electrolytic bath. This then results in a change in the transfer of metals onto the cathode surface side of the metal, and subsequently plates metal onto the object. The cathode is the side of an electrode which electricity flows out of, whereas the anode is an electrode which electricity flows into. Therefore, cathode is generally the negative side and the anode the positive side.<\/p>\n

What many people aren\u2019t aware of is that electroplated products are part of our daily lives. An example of a day to day product which is electroplated is tableware. Items are electroplated to be protected against premature tarnishing or damage, hence why silverware items that haven\u2019t been electroplated tend to rust.<\/p>\n

What electroplating masking products are there?<\/h2>\n

Hi-Tek provide a range of electroplating masking products<\/a> which include:<\/p>\n