Electroplating, Anodising and Metal Treatments etc.

- ELECTROPLATING

This process refers to addition of a surface layer of metal to another type of metal. This process is normally used to prevent rust and corrosion and to extend the life of a metal underneath. This process is known to use electric current to reduce metal cations and develop a metal coating over the electrode. Electroplating is known to create a kind of a barrier which is protective in nature. It is known to prevent tarnishing of surface as well as reduce friction and protect surface from wear and tear. The principle behind electroplating is hydrolysis. 

The process of electroplating is widely used in the industry of decorative arts to improve quality of surface of objects. This gives resistance to corrosion as well as abrasion, reflectivity, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. This process is also used for purification of copper. There are various alternatives used for electroplating and these are – electroless plating, physical vapour deposition, chemical vapour deposition, immersion coating, sputtering, and few more to add on. 

- ANODISING

Anodising refers to a kind of an electrolytic process to produce thick oxide coatings usually on aluminium as well as its alloys. This electrochemical process is known to convert the metal surface into a corrosion resistant, decorative as well as durable form. This process is accomplished well by immersing a metal such as aluminium into an acid electrolyte and thereby passing current through this medium. The main reason to conduct anodising is protecting aluminium. Due to anodizing, resistance to corrosion increases and the appearance of the material is much retained. This process is known to create a hard and tough layer that protects aluminium completely. It needs to be well noted that there are appliances such as televisions, microwave, dryers, refrigerators, coffee brewers, light fixtures, switch plates for buildings, patio covers, bathroom accessories, window frames – which are all well anodized. 

- METAL TREATMENTS

There are different kinds of metal surface treatments. These include – Electroplating, Electroless Plating, Chemical Treatment, Anodic Oxidation, Hot Dipping, Vacuum Plating, Painting, Thermal Spraying and others. These metal treatments are best known to engineers and technical experts of the metal industry. It needs to be well noted and understood that theer are many paints and formulations to protect metal parts in the physical environment. Industries such as the automotive industry have automated processes of utilizing thousands of robotic arms and painting the cars and trucks. There are many metal treatments which are known to provide enhanced electrical and mechanical properties. These processes include hot dipping, chemical treatment, electroplating, and others. It is important for an engineer to be aware of properties of metals that he deals with along with technical specifications of the procedures involved in these metal treatments. 

Thus, through this review, we have been successful in studying briefly about electroplating, anodizing as well as different kind of metal treatments. These processes are widely used wherein engineering industry (whether chemical, electrical, electronic, or mechanical) is quite well developed and established.