Summary for electroplating purpose Discussion
Electroplating purpose is broader than just corrosion protection. In this thread, Melissa asks whether all metals can be electroplated, whether corrosion resistance is the main goal, and whether plating can make a conductive surface non-conductive. James Watts says that, in theory, any metal can be plated on, but many combinations are impractical or require special handling: lead is difficult, aluminum and titanium need special treatment, copper behaves differently from steel, and plating onto gold or platinum is usually not worthwhile. He also notes that a plated conductive metal remains conductive unless something else is done to it. Ted Mooney adds that corrosion resistance is probably the biggest use, but electroplating is also used for decoration, hardness, wear resistance, electrical conductivity, reduced friction, and other properties.
Q. Can you electroplate all metals? Is electroplating’s main purpose to protect the metal against corrosion? Does electroplating make a conductive surface non-conductive?
Melissa [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
– SJ, California, USA
2002
A. To the best of my knowledge, any metal can be plated on, BUT, would you really want to plate on Uranium and etc. Lead is difficult to plate on. Aluminum requires special handling, Titanium requires a different special handling. Even Copper requires special handling Vs steel. Most people would not plate anything on gold or platinum. So, the practical answer is, while it may be possible, it is not practical. To electroplate aluminum onto steel requires some very very special treatment. Titanium is virtually impossible to electroplate onto anything else. So, your question is too broad and rather vague. Any conductive metal that is plated out is conductive unless something else is done to it and even then you need to provide limits as ultimately (but not practically) it is conductive.
James Watts
– Navarre, Florida
A. Will Rodgers once facetiously asked: “What’s a baby good for?”. In a slightly more limited way, it is hard to say what is the “purpose of electroplating”. Probably corrosion resistance is the single biggest use, but decorative application, hardness and wear resistance, electrical conductivity, reduced coefficient of friction, and a broad range of other properties can be achieved through electroplating.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
Q. Hello,
I’m looking for instructions for electroplating platinum on a base metal brass. Can you help me?
Thank you!
DAVID IRISH
THE NATURAL SOLUTION – KC, Missouri
2003
A. Hi David. It’s possible to electroplate platinum onto brass, but it can be a fairly complex undertaking on big parts, in high volume, or if the brass isn’t ready for plating. It’s probably reasonably simple for a jeweler though.
Please tell us what you want to plate, why, and how much experience you have, and then we can hopefully get you started right.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.