No cost, no registration, no passwords -- just aloha, fun & authoritative answers
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Difference between electroplating and anodizing?

What is the difference between electroplating and anodizing?

Rich Braun
- San Diego, California
1998

Electroplating involves using electricity to reduce a metal salt out from solution and deposit it in metallic form onto a surface, Rich. Usually the metal which is being plated is different than the metal of the substrate.

Anodizing is an electricity-driven engineered oxidation or 'rusting' (although the word 'rusting' really should only be used with reference to ferrous metals). By causing certain metals to oxidize in controlled fashion (usually aluminum, magnesium, or titanium), it is possible to cover their surface with a tightly adherent oxide to prevent further corrosion.

The origin of the confusion may be that the processes are done in tanks in a very similar fashion, often by the same shop, and from a distance they look like very similar operations.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1998

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: